Closer support.

How do we start?

One partner can use Closer without the other installing it. Start with the question on Today or browse Explore. Put the phone down while you talk, then save a check-in if you want to remember the moment. Notes are optional.

Guided journeys are short conversations in Explore. The everyday journeys remain available with both optional collections off.

How does the topic rhythm work?

Open Settings → Your topic rhythm. Enable it and save to start with every other day at 8:30 pm, or choose a different pace and time. You can rotate through all enabled topics or choose particular areas.

The current topic advances when you save its check-in from Today or choose Skip this topic. Receiving or missing a reminder alone does not mark an area as discussed. A check-in started separately in Explore or Journal adds to history without advancing Today’s rotation.

Topics at a glance shows dates from saved journal entries. Skipping does not create a journal entry.

Why didn’t a reminder arrive?

1. In Closer Settings, enable notifications and check the topic rhythm or custom reminder is enabled.
2. Open your iPhone’s notification settings for Closer and allow the alerts you want.
3. Check Focus, notification summaries and any other iPhone settings that may delay or silence alerts.
4. Open Closer again after changing settings, time zone or reminder plans so it can refresh the schedule.

Reminders are local, so the app does not need an internet connection. iOS still controls delivery. A past follow-up date remains visible in the app without producing a catch-up alert.

Topic reminders are queued in advance and refreshed when you open Closer. If the app is not opened before that finite queue runs out, those alerts stop until you open it again.

How do I move my journal to another iPhone?

1. On the old phone, open Settings → Export journal. Save the JSON file somewhere private that you can access on the new phone.
2. Install Closer on the new phone. Open Settings → Restore journal and choose that file from Files.
3. Review the preview, then confirm Restore to add the missing entries.

Keep a copy before changing phones. The journal is excluded from device backups. Uninstalling the app or resetting the phone can lose history you have not exported. The export is readable and unencrypted, so choose a private destination.

An export includes journal entries, notes and follow-ups. It does not include favourites, reminder schedules or app settings. Set those up again on the new phone.

Will restore replace my current entries?

No. Restore adds entries that are missing. If an entry with the same identifier is already on the phone, the current version is kept. Importing the same export again does not create another copy of those entries.

If the preview reports conflicts, those entries have matching identifiers but different content. The phone’s current versions stay as they are. Keep the original export if you want to refer to its versions separately.

Restore does not switch on faith or Sex & intimacy topics. Related journal history can still be retained.

Why can’t my file be restored?

Choose an original Closer JSON journal export. A document edited by hand, a screenshot or a file from another app may not be compatible. A file from a newer unsupported export format may need a newer Closer version.

Restore checks the file before adding entries. If it cannot read or validate the file, the journal is kept as it is. Cancel the preview at any time to leave your journal unchanged. Contact support with the error message rather than sending your private file.

How do I protect the journal?

Set an iPhone passcode first. In Closer Settings, turn on Lock Closer and authenticate. Closer can use Face ID or your device passcode and locks when it enters the background.

Save notes before leaving the app: locking can discard an open unsaved editor. Exported files are outside Closer’s app lock. Protect them in the destination you chose.

Can I use it offline or share with my partner?

Questions, journeys, journal entries and local reminders work offline. The share button sends an individual question through the iPhone share sheet. It does not attach private notes. The current app does not have partner accounts or automatic journal sharing.

How do I remove my information?

Delete individual journal entries, or use Settings → Erase all personal data to remove this installation’s journal, favourites, rhythms and preferences. Erase asks for confirmation. It does not delete exported files or messages you have already shared.

For more detail, read the privacy policy.