Effective date: [DATE] · ⏻ffline · [DEVELOPER NAME]
What we collect
Almost nothing. ⏻ffline has no analytics, no advertising SDKs, no third-party tracking, and no account system. You don't sign up. You don't log in. We don't know who you are.
The app does not collect, transmit, or store personal data on any server — with one exception, described below.
What stays on your device
Everything the app knows about you lives on your iPhone and nowhere else:
- Your focus session history
- Your theme preferences and configurations
- Your daily targets and streaks
- Adaptive suggestions the app learns from your usage patterns
- Morning Ritual settings and completion history
- Resistance mode preferences
- Which apps you've chosen to block
None of this data is uploaded, synced, or backed up to our servers. It exists only on your device.
The one thing that touches our server
Accountability Buddy. When you choose Accountability Buddy as your resistance mode and request an early session end, ⏻ffline sends a notification to your nominated buddy via our relay server (offline-accountablity-buddy.fly.dev). This is the only network request the app makes to our infrastructure.
Here's what happens:
- The server receives the unlock request and delivers a notification to your buddy
- Your buddy approves the request in the ⏻ffline app on their phone
- The server relays the response back to your device
The server does not store your focus history, your name, your habits, or any personal profile. It handles the message and moves on. No data is retained beyond what is needed to deliver that single request.
Subscriptions and payments
⏻ffline offers a 7-day free trial, followed by a monthly or yearly subscription. All payments are handled entirely by Apple through StoreKit.
We never see, handle, or store your payment information. Billing, receipts, refunds, and cancellations are managed through your Apple ID. We receive only a confirmation that your subscription is active — nothing else.
Your data, your control
There's no account to delete because there's no account to create.
Delete the app and everything goes with it. All session history, preferences, adaptive data, and local settings are removed from your device. We have nothing to erase on our end because we never had it.
Contact
If you have questions about this policy or how your data is handled, reach out:
[DEVELOPER NAME]
[INSERT EMAIL]
Effective date: [DATE] · ⏻ffline · [DEVELOPER NAME]
Acceptance of terms
By downloading, installing, or using ⏻ffline, you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, don't use the app. It's that simple.
These terms apply to the app and all its features, including the Accountability Buddy relay service.
What ⏻ffline does and doesn't guarantee
⏻ffline uses Apple's Screen Time infrastructure (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, DeviceActivity) to block apps during focus sessions. This is the same system behind parental controls. It's real blocking — not a nudge, not a timer overlay.
However, we cannot guarantee blocking will work in every iOS configuration. Screen Time behaviour depends on your iOS version, device settings, and whether you've granted the necessary permissions. If you revoke Screen Time access, blocking stops. That's how iOS works — not something we control.
We also can't guarantee the app will be uninterrupted, error-free, or available at all times. We build it to be reliable, but it's software running on a phone — things happen.
Subscription terms
⏻ffline offers a 7-day free trial. After the trial, you choose:
- Monthly: €6.99/month
- Yearly: €49.99/year
All payments are handled by Apple through your Apple ID. We do not process, see, or store your payment details.
Auto-renewal: Your subscription renews automatically unless you turn it off at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage this in your iPhone's Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.
Refunds: We don't handle refunds — Apple does. If you need a refund, contact Apple Support or use reportaproblem.apple.com.
We reserve the right to change pricing. Any change will apply to your next renewal, not your current billing period. We'll update the App Store listing accordingly.
Accountability Buddy
Accountability Buddy lets you nominate a contact who can approve or deny an early end to your focus session. When you request an early end, a message is sent to your buddy via our relay server (offline-accountablity-buddy.fly.dev). They need ⏻ffline installed to respond in the app.
You are responsible for choosing an appropriate buddy. We don't verify, screen, or approve your choice. We're just the relay.
We are not liable for:
- A buddy who doesn't respond
- A buddy who ends your session when you didn't want them to
- Any consequence of a session being ended or not ended by a buddy
- Delivery failures due to network issues on either end
The server relays the message. That's it. We don't monitor, moderate, or intervene in the exchange.
Acceptable use
Use ⏻ffline as intended — for personal focus and productivity. Don't:
- Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or tamper with the app
- Try to circumvent blocking mechanisms outside of the app's built-in resistance modes
- Abuse, spam, or overload the Accountability Buddy relay server
- Use the relay server for anything other than its intended purpose
- Use the app in a way that violates any applicable law
We reserve the right to restrict access to the relay server if abuse is detected.
Limitation of liability
⏻ffline is a focus tool. It is not a medical device, a parental control system, or a guarantee of productivity.
We are not responsible for:
- Lost productivity, missed deadlines, or any consequence of a session being active or ending
- Decisions made by your Accountability Buddy
- Any damages — direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential — arising from your use of the app
- Blocking not working as expected due to iOS configuration, version, or permission changes
The app is provided "as is." We do our best, but we make no warranties beyond what's required by law.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of [INSERT JURISDICTION]. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of that jurisdiction.
Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time. When we do, we'll update the effective date at the top. If the changes are significant, we'll let you know through the app or on our website.
Continued use of the app after changes means you accept the new terms.
Contact
Questions about these terms? Get in touch:
[DEVELOPER NAME]
[INSERT EMAIL]
Blocking
How does ⏻ffline actually block apps?
It uses Apple's Screen Time infrastructure — the same system behind parental controls (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, DeviceActivity). When you start a session, the apps you chose are blocked at the system level. They don't just show a warning or a nudge. They show a system shield and will not open until the session ends. This is not something we built on top of iOS — it's built into iOS.
Can I get around the blocking?
On Easy difficulty: yes. There's an escape hatch — you can bypass your resistance mode and end the session. It's intentional. Some people want a gentle nudge, not a hard wall.
On Hard difficulty: no escape hatch. You have to complete your chosen resistance mode to end early. The only way around it is to revoke Screen Time permission in iOS Settings — and ⏻ffline will notice if you do. This isn't a loophole; it's how iOS works. We can't override the operating system, and we don't try to.
What happens if I turn off Screen Time while a session is running?
Blocking stops immediately. ⏻ffline detects the permission revocation, ends any active session, disables your bedtime schedule, and clears any morning lock. You'll need to re-grant Screen Time permission and explicitly re-enable bedtime if you want it back. We don't fight iOS — if you revoke permission, we respect it.
Does blocking work in all iOS versions?
⏻ffline requires iOS 18.5 or later. The Screen Time APIs we use (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, DeviceActivity) are only available on recent iOS versions. We cannot guarantee blocking behaviour on beta versions of iOS or non-standard configurations. If blocking isn't working as expected, make sure your iOS is up to date and that Screen Time permission is granted.
Sessions
What is the difference between Quick Focus and a Focus Session?
Quick Focus = "Block these apps now." It's immediate, selection-based, and has no timer. You choose what to block, toggle it on, and toggle it off when you're done. It doesn't use a theme, doesn't track duration, and doesn't survive app termination. It's for impulse moments — when you just need your phone to cooperate right now.
Focus Session = "Start an intentional session." You pick a theme, set a duration, and the session is backed by Apple's DeviceActivity framework. It survives app termination, tracks time toward your daily target, and goes through your chosen resistance mode if you try to end early. It's a commitment.
What are themes?
Themes are structured focus intentions. Each theme has its own app selection, duration, resistance mode, and break configuration. In Themes you'll see starting points like Short Sprint, Gym, and Wind Down first. Wind Down unlocks when you configure allowed apps for Session Downgrade in Settings. Flow State and Deep Work unlock after five naturally completed sessions. Spa unlocks after five sessions, like Deep Work. You can also create personal themes with your own settings. Template names and resistance are fixed; personal themes are fully yours. The app learns which setups work well for you (on-device) and can surface suggestions based on your patterns.
What is Hard Track — and how is it different from Easy / Hard?
Easy and Hard are blocking difficulties you choose in Settings before starting a focused session (while your intentions are still good). Easy (the default) keeps an escape hatch: you can bypass your resistance mode and end the session immediately. Hard removes that shortcut — to end early you must complete whatever resistance flow you chose (unless Screen Time permission is revoked in iOS Settings, which ⏻ffline treats as permission off, not something we override).
Hard Track unlocks after five sessions completed to the timer. It's the app's name for that full-commitment lane. QR Code and Accountability Buddy are only available on Hard Track — not on Easy, and not on Hard before that unlock. You still pick Easy or Hard in Settings each time; Hard Track is when those two resistance modes become available for new sessions.
What are breaks and how do I earn them?
Breaks are earned during themed focus sessions. You configure how they work per theme: how many minutes of focus before you earn a break, how long the break lasts, and how many breaks per session. When you earn a break, your blocked apps temporarily unblock for the break duration, then blocking resumes automatically. If you used Future Trade-Off to end a previous session early, your next session starts with one fewer break — no extra focus time required before breaks; you simply lose a break slot.
Can I upgrade from Quick Focus to a themed session?
Yes. If Quick Focus is active and you start a theme, ⏻ffline will ask if you want to upgrade. Confirm and it seamlessly transitions — Quick Focus ends, your themed session begins, and blocking continues without interruption. If you cancel, Quick Focus stays active. You're always protected.
Resistance Modes
What is Intentional Delay?
A countdown timer (30–120 seconds, your choice) that runs before the session ends. That's it. You wait. The idea: most impulses to quit pass within a minute. Intentional Delay makes you sit with the impulse instead of acting on it. You can optionally enable "reset on app leave" — if you leave ⏻ffline during the countdown, it restarts. This is the default resistance mode and works on both Easy and Hard difficulty.
What is Future Trade-Off?
Ending early costs you something on the next session. If you stop a session with Future Trade-Off active, your next session starts with one fewer break. You don't wait longer for breaks to become available — you lose a break slot, period. The penalty is shown clearly before you confirm. You can still end immediately, but the trade-off sticks for that next session. This makes the cost of quitting visible, not hidden.
What is Session Downgrade?
Instead of ending completely, your session steps down to "Light Focus." All your blocking stays in place, but specific apps you've pre-selected as allowed are exempted — so you can access things like music, podcasts, or reading apps without ending the session. The session keeps running and counting toward your daily target.
Important: Allowed apps must be individually selected. This is an iOS limitation — if you only block categories (not individual apps), allowed apps cannot be exempted. For Session Downgrade to work, make sure you've configured your allowed apps in Settings. It's for when you're hitting a wall but don't want to quit entirely. Progress over perfection.
What is QR Code resistance?
To end a session early, you have to scan a QR code. You generate the code in the app and store it somewhere else — another room, a drawer, a friend's wallet. Distance is the point. It interrupts the autopilot loop by making you physically get up and go somewhere. This mode is only available on Hard Track (after five sessions completed to the timer). You can switch to a different resistance mode in Settings when not in a session.
What is Accountability Buddy and how does it work?
You nominate a trusted contact as your Accountability Buddy. When you want to end a session early, ⏻ffline sends them a message via our relay server. They need ⏻ffline installed to approve or deny; the link opens in the app. If they don't respond, the session continues. You can't end it yourself. That's the point. The request expires after one hour if unanswered. Messages should stay unblocked on both phones. This mode is only available on Hard Track (after five sessions completed to the timer).
Does my Accountability Buddy need the app?
Yes. Your buddy needs ⏻ffline installed to approve unlock requests. When you send a request, they get a message with a link that opens directly in the app. If they don't have it yet, the link takes them to the ⏻ffline website where they can download it free.
Morning Ritual
What is Morning Ritual?
Morning Ritual runs after your bedtime schedule ends and before your apps unlock. It's a gentle transition from sleep to phone use. Before the morning lock timer starts, you're shown a few intent options — hydrate, move a bit, plan your day, get some air, stay offline a little longer. You pick one (or skip). When the timer finishes, you're optionally asked: "Did you get a moment to do that?" It's not a habit tracker. It's not a task list. It's a moment of intentionality before the algorithm gets its first foothold.
What happens if I skip it?
Nothing bad. The timer runs as normal and your apps unlock when it's done. If you skip the intent selection consistently, ⏻ffline will gradually stop showing it — it fades out gracefully. No penalty, no guilt, no streak broken. It comes back if you start selecting intents again.
Does it track whether I actually did the thing I selected?
No. It asks you, but your answer doesn't change anything. There's no success or failure state. No streak. No badge. Your response is used only to learn your preferences — which intents you tend to choose, so it can surface better suggestions. It never tracks what you actually did. That's yours.
Notifications
Why did I get a notification after turning off Screen Time?
⏻ffline clears scheduled notifications whenever you open the app. If you revoke Screen Time permissions and don't reopen ⏻ffline, any notifications already scheduled may still fire once. Simply open ⏻ffline after changing your Screen Time settings and it won't happen again.
How do I stop this happening?
Open ⏻ffline once after changing your Screen Time settings. The app will detect the permission change and cancel all pending notifications. That's all it takes.
Privacy & Data
Does ⏻ffline collect my data?
No. There are no analytics, no advertising SDKs, no third-party tracking, and no account system. All your focus history, theme preferences, adaptive suggestions, and session data stay on your iPhone. The only network request the app makes to our infrastructure is the Accountability Buddy relay — and even that doesn't store your personal data.
What is the Accountability Buddy server and what does it store?
It's a relay server (offline-accountablity-buddy.fly.dev) that delivers unlock requests from you to your buddy and relays their response back. It generates a request ID and a one-time secret URL. It does not store your name, your focus history, your habits, or any personal profile. Requests expire after one hour. The server handles the message and moves on.
What happens to my data if I delete the app?
It's gone. All of it. Session history, theme configurations, adaptive learning data, morning ritual preferences, resistance settings — everything is stored on-device and deleted with the app. We have nothing to erase on our end because we never had it.
Subscription
How does the free trial work?
Download the app and get full access to everything for 7 days. No credit card required to start. No features locked during the trial. When the 7 days are up, you choose a plan or the app stops working. That's it.
How do I cancel?
Open your iPhone's Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions → ⏻ffline → Cancel. This is managed entirely by Apple. We can't cancel it for you, and we don't make it harder than Apple already does.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds are handled by Apple, not us. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com, find the charge, and request a refund. Apple makes the decision.
What happens when my trial ends?
If you haven't subscribed, the app stops working. No blocking, no sessions, no Morning Ritual. Your data stays on your device — nothing is deleted. Subscribe at any point and everything picks up where you left off.
Is there a free tier?
No. ⏻ffline is a paid app with a 7-day free trial. There is no free tier and there won't be. A free tier would undermine everything the app is about.
Technical
What iOS version do I need?
iOS 18.5 or later. The Screen Time APIs that ⏻ffline depends on (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, DeviceActivity) require this minimum version. If you're on an older version of iOS, the app won't work.
Does ⏻ffline work on iPad?
No. ⏻ffline is iPhone only. The app is designed around the device you carry with you everywhere — the one that interrupts your focus. iPad support may come in the future, but it's not planned right now.
Why is the app called ⏻ffline?
The ⏻ is the IEC power symbol — the universal sign for "off." ⏻ffline means going offline on purpose. Not disconnecting from the world. Just disconnecting from the part of your phone that wasn't helping.