Support & FAQ
We're here to help.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an account to use Hearth?
No. Hearth works fully on your device with no account and no internet connection. An account is optional — it exists only for people who want to sync across devices.
Where are my entries stored?
On your device by default. If you turn on optional cloud sync, your entries are encrypted on your device before they're sent anywhere — Hearth's servers store only unreadable ciphertext, so not even we can read what you wrote (or when).
Can I get my data out?
Always. Open Settings → Your data and export to Markdown, JSON, CSV, or PDF. Your words are never held hostage, and you can leave any time with everything you wrote.
Will I lose my entries if the app shuts down?
Your entries live on your own device, so they don't vanish if anything happens to the service. We also encourage regular exports (Settings → Your data) for peace of mind.
Can I sync across my devices?
Yes — optionally. Set up encryption (Settings → Privacy & security), create a free account, and turn on cloud sync. Sync is end-to-end encrypted: entries are scrambled on your device before they leave it, and only your passphrase can unscramble them. It's off by default, and turning it off never touches your local copy.
Is there a subscription?
Hearth is free forever for anyone controlling their own data — reading, writing, and exporting your own entries on your own device never costs anything. That's a promise. The only thing that will ever cost money is optional cloud sync and storage on Hearth's servers, which holds your encrypted entries and keeps them in step across your devices. You can export your full journal anytime to keep your own backup.
How do I keep my journal private?
Hearth has no tracking, no ads, and no analytics. For extra privacy, enable a passcode or biometric lock in Settings → Privacy & security.
Do I have to feel positive to use Hearth?
No. Gratitude doesn't cancel the hard, and Hearth will never ask you to force a silver lining. There's a dedicated "A hard day" entry mode for when things are genuinely difficult — both things can be true at once, and Hearth is built to hold space for that.
Is Hearth a good fit if I have ADHD or just struggle with consistency?
We hope so — it's designed for it. Entries can take ten seconds (a single tap on a gratitude stone, three short words). There's no punishing streak to lose: a missed week never resets anything, and coming back after a gap is met with a gentle welcome, not a guilt trip. Nine different ways to practice mean you can switch it up whenever the same routine stops working for your brain that day.
Still stuck?
Email support@hearthgratitudejournal.com with a short description of what happened and the device you're using. We read every message.