Kaen asks for writing that may be unfinished, contradictory, or private. Its storage model follows that use: no Kaen account is required, and Kaen does not operate a backend that receives your reset entries. Your Journal and the patterns calculated from it begin on your device.
Know what stays on the device
The thought, feeling, response, written reflection, pin state, next-step status, previously saved notes, and app preferences are stored locally. Trends is calculated from those entries on the device; the app does not send your journal away to create a chart.
Local-first does not mean a device can never be lost or damaged. If the journal matters to you, use Data & Storage to create a backup you control. Privacy and backup are separate decisions, and Kaen makes the second one optional.
Export, import, or choose your own storage provider
Export creates a Kaen data file you can save somewhere you trust. Import reads a compatible file and adds entries that are not already present, so restoring the same backup does not need to create duplicates.
On iOS, automatic iCloud sync has its own toggle and does not require choosing a folder. Optional folder sync can instead use a Files provider such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, or another provider available on your device. The provider’s privacy and account rules apply; Kaen still does not create a Kaen-hosted journal account.
- Before changing phones, create an export and confirm where it was saved.
- After importing, check the entry count and open a few older entries.
- Keep only the backups you intend to keep; exported files contain journal data.
Treat reminders as local prompts, not messages from a server
When you enable a supported reminder, Kaen schedules it on the device. It does not register a push token with a Kaen notification server, and notification text does not include the private reflection that produced it.
You can turn reminders off in Kaen or revoke notification permission in system settings. Reminder preferences are device-specific, so check them again after moving your journal to another phone.
Local-first is not a claim that data needs no care. It means Kaen collects less, gives you direct control over copies, and does not require your inner life to become an account.
Kaen offers reflective practices, not medical advice. If you are struggling or feel unsafe, contact a qualified professional or local emergency service.