Need help with Cart Cactus? Use the information below for common fixes, shared lists, live shopping mode, list search, item notes, optional Kroger features, Alexa voice and Echo Show features, and support.
Contact Support
Email: support@effonesolutions.com
Please include your device type, app version, and a short description of what happened.
Common Help Topics
Using Cart Cactus Without Kroger
Cart Cactus works as a general grocery list even if you do not have a Kroger-owned store nearby. You can add manual items, change quantities, check items off while shopping, clear completed items, and share a list with other phones.
Choosing a Store
The Store tab is used for optional Kroger-owned store features. Enter a ZIP code, or tap "Detect my location" to find nearby supported stores. After selecting a store, Kroger product search, price information, sale details, and aisle information will use that location when available. When you switch stores, Cart Cactus refreshes aisle information for unchecked Kroger product items so long checked-item histories do not slow down the store change.
Product Search and Prices
Product search uses Kroger data. Prices, sale prices, aisle information, product images, and unit prices depend on what is available from the selected store data. If something looks outdated, try refreshing prices from the List tab. You can still add manual grocery items without using product search.
Refreshing Product Details
On the List screen, use "Refresh prices" to update Kroger product prices for your selected store, or "Refresh aisles" to update aisle information for unchecked Kroger product items. You can also open an item menu and refresh the price, location, or both for just that item. If you uncheck a Kroger product item, Cart Cactus automatically refreshes that item's price and aisle for the currently selected store. Manual items do not have Kroger product details to refresh.
Finding Items on a Long List
Use the instant search field on the List screen to bring matching items to the top as you type. This is especially useful when checked items are hidden or when you need to find something that was already checked off and uncheck it again.
Item Notes
Use the item menu on the List screen to add or edit a note. Notes are useful for short reminders like preferred brand, size, flavor, or "only if on sale." To remove a note, open the note editor, clear the text, and save it.
Duplicate Items
If you add an item that already exists on the list, the app increases the quantity instead of creating a duplicate item.
Shared Lists
Shared lists use a generated share code and PIN. The person creating the list can provide those details to another user so both devices can view and update the same list. Your list can be for groceries, a hardware store run, household errands, party supplies, or another shared shopping trip.
You can save more than one shared list on the same device. Open the Settings tab, use the Lists selector, and choose "Private list on this device" or one of your saved shared lists. Creating or joining a shared list saves it to that selector automatically. If you own a shared list, you can rename it from the Settings tab.
Live Shopping Mode
Live Shopping Mode is useful when two or more people are shopping from the same shared list. Turn it on from the List screen to refresh the list every few seconds while that screen is open. When someone checks off an item, the other devices can see the update shortly after. Live mode pauses when the app is in the background and skips refreshes while you are typing a manual item.
Sending Items to Cart
Kroger cart sending is optional and requires connecting your Kroger account from the Settings tab. If sending items fails, reconnect your Kroger account and confirm that your selected store supports online cart features. Manual items without Kroger product IDs cannot be sent to a Kroger cart, but they remain on your grocery list.
Alexa and Echo Show
Alexa voice adding works with shared lists. Create or join a shared list in the Settings tab, then use the displayed share code and PIN to link the Cart Cactus Alexa skill. Once linked, Alexa can add items to the same shared grocery list used by the app.
You can also ask Alexa to show checked or unchecked items, check off an item, uncheck an item, remove an unchecked item, and change the quantity of an unchecked item. For example, try phrases like "add bananas," "check off eggs," "uncheck milk," or "set milk quantity to two." If you try to add something that is already checked off, Alexa will ask whether you want to uncheck it. Saying no leaves the item checked.
On Echo Show devices, the Cart Cactus skill can show your linked list on screen. You can tap an item to check or uncheck it, use the Checked and Unchecked buttons to switch views, and scroll longer lists on the display. Items are shown alphabetically to make them easier to find. Alexa may still close the skill after a period of inactivity because device idle behavior is controlled by Alexa.
Location Permission
Location is only requested when you tap "Detect my location." You can use ZIP code search instead. If location search does not work, check your device settings and make sure location access is allowed for Cart Cactus.
Privacy Policy
View the privacy policy here: Privacy Policy
Independent App Notice
Cart Cactus is an independent app and is not owned, operated, endorsed, or sponsored by The Kroger Co., Fry's Food Stores, or their affiliates. Store brand names are used only to identify compatible store and cart features.