How do I create my first trace?
Open the app and tap the compose button on the Today screen. You can write a few lines about your day, select a mood, and optionally attach a photo. Tap Save when you're done. That's your first trace.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Trace has no accounts, no sign-up, and no login. Just download and start writing. Your data stays on your device — we never see it.
Is Trace really private?
Yes. Trace is built local-first: all your entries, photos, and mood data are stored only on your iPhone. There is no server, no cloud sync, and no account. Nothing leaves your device.
How do I set up reminders?
Go to your Profile tab and tap Reminders. You can set a daily reminder, a weekly reflection prompt, or both. The app will ask for notification permission the first time you set a reminder — you'll need to allow it in iOS Settings if you declined initially.
Can I back up my journal entries?
Currently, Trace stores data locally using iOS's app sandbox. A dedicated export feature is on the roadmap for a future version. In the meantime, keeping your iPhone backed up via iCloud or iTunes will preserve your app data as part of the full device backup.
What happens if I delete the app?
Deleting Trace from your iPhone will permanently remove all your entries, photos, and preferences stored by the app. This cannot be undone. If you want to keep your data, please back up your device before deleting.
Can I transfer my data to a new phone?
Yes, if you restore your new iPhone from an iCloud or iTunes backup that includes Trace, your data should be preserved as part of the app's local storage. Transferring via iPhone-to-iPhone migration (Quick Start) also works.
Does Trace sync across my devices?
Not in the current version. Trace is designed as a single-device, local-first app. Multi-device sync is a feature we're considering for a future release.
What is the Journey view?
Journey is your visual memory map. It displays your traces as mood-linked bubbles arranged over time, letting you see emotional patterns at a glance. It's meant for reflection, not productivity — just a calm way to observe your days.
How does the Insights feature work?
Insights reads through your recent journal entries — entirely on your device — and generates observations about recurring themes, mood tendencies, and patterns. No AI or external service is used. The reflection engine runs locally.
What is "Listen to Reflection"?
This feature reads your journal reflection aloud using your iPhone's built-in text-to-speech. You can listen to a calm narration of your week's themes without looking at a screen. All speech synthesis happens on-device — your text is never sent anywhere.
Will there be voice notes?
Yes — voice notes are planned for Trace v1.1. The feature will let you record, play back, and save audio notes to your entries, all stored locally. No transcription or cloud processing will be involved.
Notifications aren't arriving
First, check that notifications are enabled in iPhone Settings → Notifications → Trace. Make sure "Allow Notifications" is on and your preferred alert style is selected. Also check your Focus/Do Not Disturb settings — these can silence app notifications. Then open Trace, go to Profile → Reminders, and confirm your reminder is still scheduled.
The app feels slow or crashes
Try closing and reopening the app. If the issue persists, restart your iPhone. If you continue to experience crashes, please contact us with your device model and iOS version so we can investigate.
I accidentally deleted an entry
Unfortunately, deleted entries cannot be recovered. Because Trace stores data locally with no cloud backup, deletions are permanent. We recommend being deliberate when using the delete option in Entry Detail.
Photos aren't attaching correctly
Make sure Trace has permission to access your photos. Go to iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos → Trace and select "Full Access" or "Add Photos Only." Then try attaching the photo again.