frequently asked questions

Everything about privacy, features, and getting started with Cairn.

Is Cairn really private? What data do you collect?

Yes. Cairn collects zero data from the journaling app itself. No account is created, no entries are stored on servers, and no analytics track your usage. Everything runs on your device using Apple's on-device AI models.

How does Cairn use AI? Is it cloud-based?

All AI processing happens on your device. Mood detection, theme extraction, pattern analysis, and reflective questioning are powered by Apple's on-device models. No journal entries or derived data are sent to any server.

What does Cairn cost?

Cairn is free to download, and everything is unlocked for your first 14 days. After that, a single CA$7.99 in-app purchase unlocks it permanently — one payment, no subscription, no recurring charge, ever.

What happens when the 14 days are up?

Everything you've already written stays readable, searchable and exportable — with or without the unlock. What the unlock buys is the ability to keep going: writing new entries, reflection, and the patterns and threads Cairn draws from your writing.

Can I use Cairn across multiple devices?

Currently, Cairn is designed for single-device journaling to maintain privacy. Your data never leaves your device, so cross-device syncing would require cloud storage — which we don't use.

What input methods does Cairn support?

Cairn supports typing, voice dictation (with on-device transcription), and photographing handwritten pages using on-device OCR. All processing happens locally on your device.

How does Cairn handle mood tracking?

Cairn uses on-device AI to estimate your mood for each entry — fatigue, calm, hope, anxiety, gratitude — shown visually as a "mood stone." It also tracks load (stress), agency (control), and clarity over time. All analysis happens locally.

What platforms does Cairn support?

Cairn is launching as an iOS app (iPhone and iPad). macOS support may follow in the future.

How do I delete my data from Cairn?

Since all your data is stored on your device, you can delete it at any time by deleting individual entries or uninstalling the app entirely. No cloud backup exists.