Support and FAQ

Is my journal private?

Historicle stores your journal on your computer and runs its built-in AI locally. Historicle does not host your journal. If you enable MCP or other external integrations, the journal content you share is subject to the connected service’s privacy policy. Backups go to locations you choose.

Do I need an internet connection?

Writing and searching your downloaded journal work locally. Internet access is needed for installation, optional model downloads, purchases and purchase validation, and any external services you choose to use. Model sizes vary; check the download size in Settings before installing.

What are the Mac requirements?

macOS 13.0 Ventura or later on Apple Silicon (M1 or later). We recommend 16 GB RAM for local Smart Search; larger models need more memory. Keep enough free space for your journal, attachments, backups, and any optional AI models.

Can I bring my own AI model?

You can add compatible GGUF models to the LLM folder shown in Settings. Compatibility and speed depend on the model architecture and your hardware; a GGUF extension alone does not guarantee support. The curated model picker is the easiest starting point.

What is free, and what requires Pro?

Free includes Markdown journaling, photos, semantic search, people and interests, timeline and history, connections, Day One import, backups, and one device API key. Pro adds Goals, Smart Search, emotion insights, audio transcription, AI writing feedback, video/GIF export, multiple backup locations, unlimited device API keys, and MCP integration.

Is Pro a subscription?

No. Pro is a one-time in-app purchase. Your chosen cloud-storage or external AI provider may have its own charges. Check the store for the price in your region.

Can I use my phone or tablet?

Yes, through a browser connected to Historicle’s local server on your computer. Keep the computer awake, Historicle running, and both devices on the same trusted network. The first API key is free; Pro allows additional keys. Each key supports one active browser session.

How do I restore my purchase?

On Mac, install Historicle using the Apple Account that purchased Pro, then open Settings and choose Restore Purchases. Contact support if restoration fails.

How do I remove my journal data?

Delete individual entries in the app. For complete removal, first preserve any backup you want to keep and open Settings → General → App Folders → Models and go up one folder to reach the journal data directory. Quit Historicle before changing that folder. Uninstalling alone is not a reliable way to remove journal data, and backups in other locations must be handled separately.

Does Historicle support video?

Pro can export photo memories as animated GIFs. Video attachments are not currently supported. Audio attachments and local transcription are separate features.

Why does Smart Search miss an entry?

Check that the search model is installed and your entries are indexed. Try a specific date, person, or phrase, and use ordinary text search to inspect the source entries. AI answers can be incomplete or incorrect; review their citations.

See the feature guide, Free vs Pro comparison, and privacy policy for more detail.