Questions and answers
What is OnceWrote?
OnceWrote is a private app for Windows and Android where you write your thoughts, tick small things you did, and see what moved each week. It has no streaks, no overdue marks and no scores.
Who is OnceWrote for?
It is for one person, alone, especially people with many interests and many things going on at once. It is not for teams or shared lists.
What is a scanner or a multipotentialite?
It is a person with many interests who does not want to pick just one. Writer Barbara Sher used the word "scanner" in her book Refuse to Choose! OnceWrote was inspired by that idea. See the idea behind OnceWrote.
Is OnceWrote an app for people with ADHD?
OnceWrote is not a medical or treatment app, and it makes no health claims. It is built for people who feel scattered or have many interests, and for anyone who wants to see their progress without pressure.
Is OnceWrote a to-do list or a habit tracker?
Not exactly. You can tick small things (called Marks), but there are no streaks, no red overdue marks and no scores. It shows what you did. It does not push you.
Is my writing private?
Yes. Your writing is locked with your own password, on your device and in your account. We cannot read it. Google cannot read it.
Can the maker of the app read my writing?
No. Your password stays on your device. We do not have it and cannot reset it.
What can be seen on the server, then?
Only what is needed to keep your devices in step: that your account has a copy, how many items of each kind there are, when each was last saved, and roughly how big each is. Not what any of it says.
Is OnceWrote end-to-end encrypted?
Yes, in plain words: your writing is locked with a key made from your password, on your device, before it goes to your account. Only you hold that key. The saved file on your device is locked too, and a computer backup is a copy of that locked file. The file you get from Export is not locked, so keep it private.
Does OnceWrote use AI?
No. There is no AI inside OnceWrote. Nothing you write is sent to any AI service.
Does OnceWrote track me or show ads?
No. There are no ads, no tracking and no analytics. The app sends no crash reports by itself.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. Everything works without internet. If you are signed in, changes wait and are saved to your account when you are online again.
Do I need a Google account?
No. You can use OnceWrote on one device without signing in. Everyone sets a password, because the password is what locks your writing. A Google account is only for keeping your writing safe in the cloud and showing it on both your phone and your computer.
What happens when I sign in with Google?
Your writing is kept in your account, locked with your password. It is safe if you lose your phone, and your phone and computer show the same things.
What are the 12 recovery words?
They are a backup key. You get them when you set your password. If you forget your password, the 12 words let you set a new one. Write them on paper and keep them safe.
What if I forget my password?
First use your 12 recovery words. Or, if OnceWrote is still open on another device where you are signed in, set a new password there. If you have neither, what is kept in your account stays locked for good. Nobody can open it, not even us.
What happens if I sign out?
You choose: keep the data on this phone, or clear it from this phone. Your copy in your account stays safe either way.
What if my phone already has writing when I sign in?
You choose Merge or Keep only this phone. If you choose to merge, nothing is deleted.
Can I use it on my phone and my computer?
Yes. Sign in with the same Google account and use the same password on both.
Is OnceWrote on iPhone or Mac?
Not yet. It works on Windows and Android.
What is the widget?
It is two buttons on your Android home screen: Thought and Mark. One tap opens OnceWrote straight to the box where you write. It shows none of your writing, so it stays private.
What is the difference between a Mission and a Project?
A Mission is split into levels, and it fills up as you finish them. A Project is a simple list of actions you tick off, with a priority, and no fixed plan.
How do I start a project?
Tap the plus button on the Projects block, give it a name, add your actions, choose High, Medium or Low, and save. Then open the project and tick each action when you do it. See the Projects guide.
How do I add levels to a mission?
Tap the plus button on the Missions block, name it, then tap Add level for each step and say how much each level counts. When you tick a level, the bar moves by itself. See the Missions guide.
How do my old thoughts come back to me?
The slider at the top of your Dashboard shows your thoughts one by one, in the colour of their tag. It moves by itself, and you can swipe to the next. See the Thoughts guide.
What is the difference between a Thought and a Mark?
A Thought is something you write down. A Mark is something you do and tick.
Are there streaks or overdue marks?
No. Nothing is ever overdue and nothing turns red. If you forget to tick a mark, you can tick it later in Past 7 days.
How many notifications will I get?
At most one a day, at the end of the day. It is on when you start, and you can turn it off or change the time in Settings.
Can I take my data with me?
Yes. Use Export in Settings to save everything you wrote into one file. Import brings it back. The exported file is not locked, so keep it somewhere safe.
How do I delete my data?
Open Settings. Under Your data, tap Delete everything to clear your writing but stay signed in, or Delete my account to remove your account too. You can also email us. See the full steps on the delete account page.
Is OnceWrote a journal or note-taking app?
It is a private place for thoughts and progress. It has no AI. It is calm, simple and made for one person.