Last updated: October 20, 2026
ThoughtWell is a privacy-first private journal and diary app. All your journal entries and personal data stay on your device. We do not operate any servers or cloud services for this app.
We do not collect any personal data. ThoughtWell does not transmit your data to external servers. There are no accounts and no cloud sync. The app is ad-supported and the AdMob SDK performs ad tracking (see Third-Party Services).
ThoughtWell stores the following data locally on your device using AsyncStorage:
This data never leaves your device unless you explicitly export it using the Export feature.
ThoughtWell offers optional PIN code and biometric (fingerprint/face) authentication to protect your journal. Your PIN is stored locally on your device. Biometric authentication uses your device's built-in hardware — no biometric data is stored by ThoughtWell.
ThoughtWell allows you to attach photos to journal entries. Photos are accessed through your device's photo library using standard system permissions. Photos remain on your device and are not uploaded to any server.
ThoughtWell can attach a voice note to an entry. The app asks for microphone access the first time you record, and records only while you are recording a note. The recording is saved with the entry on your device and is not uploaded to any server.
ThoughtWell allows you to export all your data as a JSON file and import data from a backup file. These operations use your device's native sharing and file picker functionality. The exported file is handled entirely by your device's operating system — Griswold Labs has no access to it.
ThoughtWell makes no network requests of its own. The only internet traffic is the Google AdMob SDK loading and reporting ads (see Third-Party Services) and, if you buy an upgrade, Google Play Billing (on iPhone and iPad, Apple's App Store). The data it stores for you is not transmitted.
This app displays advertising supplied by Google AdMob. To serve ads, the AdMob SDK collects information from your device — typically your advertising identifier, device and app information, coarse location inferred from your IP address, and interactions with the ads shown. That data is handled by Google under its own privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy . We do not send your personal records to AdMob or to any advertiser — the data this app stores for you stays on your device. You can limit ad personalisation in your device settings (Android: Settings → Google → Ads). Apart from Google AdMob and Google Play Billing (Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPad), no other third-party service, SDK or API is integrated.
Ads on iPhone and iPad. On iOS the ads are also served by Google AdMob, under Google's privacy policy. Before the first ad is requested, the app runs Google's consent step, which presents Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt asking whether the app may track you. If you do not allow tracking, or the prompt is not shown, iOS does not give the app or Google your device's advertising identifier (IDFA), and ads are not personalised using it. You can change your choice at any time in Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
In-app purchases. Any purchase inside the app is handled by Google Play Billing on Android and by the Apple App Store on iPhone and iPad. Google or Apple processes the payment and keeps the record (Apple under Apple's Privacy Policy); the app only learns whether the purchase is active. We never see your payment details. Restoring a purchase checks your Google Play or App Store account.
Your journal data is stored in your device's local storage. It is protected by your device's built-in security (screen lock, encryption) and optionally by the app's PIN/biometric lock. Uninstalling the app will delete all stored data.
ThoughtWell is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date.
If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at:
Griswold Labs
7965 State Road 50, Suite 1000-166
Groveland, FL 34736
Email: [email protected]