Effective 2026-06-24

Privacy Policy

HardMode is local-first: your missions, streak, rank, and progress stay on your device and are not sent to a HardMode server. The one exception is the optional "forge your own goal" feature — if you use it, the text you write is sent to our server and an AI provider to generate your missions. HardMode does not require an account.

Information the app stores

HardMode stores app data on your device, including selected mode, your goal (if you write one), daily missions, completed missions, XP, rank, streak, weekly recap data, and settings such as reminders.

Information we collect

Apart from the "forge your own goal" feature described below, HardMode does not collect personal information through the app. It does not use accounts, server-side sync of your progress, advertising SDKs, or tracking across apps and websites, and it does not sell data.

Goal forging (AI)

HardMode lets you optionally write your own goal instead of picking a preset mode. When you use this feature, the text you enter — your goal, the "what have you been avoiding" answer, and your stated hours, timeline, and constraints — is sent to a HardMode server, which forwards it to an AI provider (OpenRouter, routing to Anthropic) to generate your daily missions. The generated missions are returned to your device and stored there. This is the only feature that sends what you type off your device; picking a preset mode sends nothing. Because HardMode has no accounts, this text is not tied to your identity, and our server does not store it after generating your missions. The AI provider processes the request under its own policies — OpenRouter and Anthropic — and the text is not used for advertising and is not sold.

Anonymous analytics

To understand how the app is used and improve it, HardMode uses TelemetryDeck, a privacy-focused analytics service. It records anonymous, aggregated events such as the app being opened, a goal being forged, a mode being chosen, or a mission being completed. These events carry no name, email, account, advertising identifier, or other personal identifier, and cannot be linked back to you as an individual. We use them only to see overall trends, never to profile a specific person, and the data is never sold or used for advertising. See TelemetryDeck's privacy approach at telemetrydeck.com/privacy.

Notifications

If you enable reminders, HardMode may schedule local notifications on your device. We do not receive your reminder schedule.

Purchases

HardMode is sold through the App Store. Apple processes purchases and payments. We do not receive your payment card details.

Support email

If you contact support, we receive the information you choose to send, such as your email address, device details, screenshots, and the text of your message. We use it only to reply and handle the support request.

Website logs

The website hosting provider may process standard technical logs such as IP address, browser, device type, referring page, and time of request for security, reliability, and diagnostics.

Data sharing

We do not sell personal information. We do not share app progress data with advertisers. We share information only when needed to generate missions for the "forge your own goal" feature (the AI provider described above), operate the website or support inbox, comply with law, or protect the app and users from abuse.

Data deletion

Because HardMode data is stored on your device, you can delete your app data by deleting the app. If you contacted support and want your support emails deleted, contact support@becomehardmode.xyz.

Children

HardMode is not directed to children under 13.

Changes

We may update this privacy policy when the app changes. The effective date above will change when the policy is updated.

Contact

Support: support@becomehardmode.xyz