Find practical answers about local journalling, accounts, tags, backups, privacy and optional sync.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-31
A little help when you need it
Quick answers to common questions, with links to the steps when you need them.
Is Meandre free to use?
Yes. Writing, reflections, reminders, tags, local backups and readable export are free. Journey includes a free overview, Thankfulness and Completed journeys. Premium adds optional sync, four further insights and extra appearance choices.
Do I need an account?
No account is needed for your local journal. Google sign-in is needed only for optional Drive sync; purchases use your store account.
Can I use Meandre without an internet connection?
Yes, the local journal works offline. You can write, find and reflect on locally saved entries. Sync, Google sign-in and store transactions need their services to be reachable. Choosing an online storage provider for a backup may also need a connection.
Where are my journal entries stored?
Saved notes and reflection history are stored in an app-managed database on this device; local settings and attachments also use device storage. Writing on one device does not automatically put it on another.
Encrypted backup and optional Drive sync create separate copies when you choose them. The privacy PIN restricts access through the app; it does not encrypt the local journal database. Keep your device account and independently saved files protected.
How do tags work?
Tags gather related entries in one journal. Add at least one when saving a note. Choose several tags to find notes matching any of them.
Can I recover a deleted entry?
Use Undo while the deletion notice is still visible. Afterwards, recovery depends on an earlier copy that still contains the entry. Sync can carry deletions, so do not assume another device is a backup.
How do I back up my journal?
Open Settings → Export backup. Keep the saved file and its passphrase or recovery codes safely. Export readable copy is a different kind of ZIP and cannot be imported as a backup.
Is Google Drive sync optional?
Yes. Drive sync is a Premium option. Your local journal works without it. Keep a separate backup, because sync can carry unwanted changes as well as new writing.
What happens if I forget my PIN?
If an enabled biometric route still works, try it. Otherwise, Forgot PIN? offers a destructive reset, not a way to reveal your PIN. Cancel and read the recovery warning before continuing.
What platforms are supported?
Meandre is available for Android, iPhone, iPad, macOS and Windows. Choose your device at the top of a guide to see its layout.
How do I contact support?
Use Contact support on the website. Include your device, app version and build, what you tried and the visible error. Leave out private writing, PINs, passphrases and recovery codes.
What is Meandre?
Meandre is a reflective journal for thoughts, hopes, prayers and aspirations. Capture an entry, return to it later and notice what has changed. Your writing remains your own.
Is Meandre private?
The app is designed for private, local-first reflection. Backup and sync archives are encrypted before leaving the device; local storage relies on device protection. See Protect your journal and the website Privacy Policy at /privacy-policy/ for the different boundaries.
Does Meandre use AI to read my reflections?
No. Meandre’s insights use the tags, dates, progress choices and thankfulness you record. They are calculated on your device; AI does not read or interpret your journal.
Does Meandre use analytics?
Analytics and crash reporting are optional and start switched off. See the Privacy Policy at /privacy-policy/ for what these preferences cover.
How do I install Meandre?
Use the official Meandre listing in the store for your device. Install and set up Meandre explains the first-run screens. If you are using an invited testing build, follow the instructions supplied with that invitation. Meandre is made by DWS Software.