Backd — Support

Get help

Questions, bugs, or account requests? Email support@backd.dev and we'll do our best to get back to you promptly.

Common questions

What is Backd? A private accountability app. Set a goal, check in by your deadline, optionally back it with proof (a photo, screenshot, or note), and a friend you choose can review it. No public feed, no leaderboards, no discoverable profiles.

Is my data private? Yes — private by default. Only you see your data, except the specific proof you ask a friend to review. We don't sell data or use it for ads. See our Privacy Policy.

Does Backd cost money? Backd's core features are free, including photo, Apple Health and location proof. Backd Premium is an optional, paid auto-renewing subscription (monthly or yearly) that adds unlimited goals, the AI proof check, deeper insights, symbolic stakes, unlimited Goal Stacks and custom app-lock hours. Free-tier features and your existing data are never hidden or deleted if you don't subscribe or a subscription lapses.

How do I manage or cancel my Backd Premium subscription? Backd Premium is billed through your Apple ID, not by Backd directly. To manage, change, or cancel it: open the Settings app → your name → Subscriptions on your iPhone, or in the App Store app → your account → Subscriptions. Backd cannot see or process your payment details and cannot issue refunds directly — refunds are handled by Apple.

How do I restore a purchase on a new device? Open Backd → Settings → Premium (or the paywall) → Restore purchases. This restores any active subscription tied to your Apple ID without charging you again.

Are stakes real money? No. In Backd a stake is a number you track yourself; Backd never charges it. Money stakes are not available in the current version of the app. The stake is separate from the Backd Premium subscription above, which is a real purchase processed by Apple.

Can I sign in with Apple? Yes. Sign in with Apple is available alongside email + password. Every account — however you sign up — is asked for a birth year and to agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy once, the first time it's needed, before the rest of the app is reachable.

How do I delete my account? In the app: Settings → Delete account. This permanently deletes your account and all data and cannot be undone.

Why does Backd ask for Health / Location / Camera? Only for the proof types you choose, and only in context: Camera/Photos for photo proof; Apple Health (read-only) to verify a step/workout goal; Location for a single check-in capture to verify a place. You can decline any of these and still use the app, and revoke them anytime in iOS Settings.

Where is Apple Health in Backd? Settings → Connected apps → Apple Health. Tap Connect Apple Health to allow Backd to read your steps and workouts, then pick Apple Health as a goal's proof. When you verify a check-in, only the result, "Verified with Apple Health", is saved and shown to the buddy who reviews it. Your steps and workouts stay on your iPhone. To change access, open the Health app: your profile → Privacy → Apps → Backd.

Can I connect Canvas or Google Calendar? Canvas, yes: in Settings → Integrations you can connect it to import upcoming assignments as goals. Connecting is your choice; importing only pre-fills the goal screen — Backd never creates a goal without you confirming. You can disconnect at any time, which deletes the stored connection. Google Calendar isn't available in the current version of the app.

What is the "Run AI check" button on proof? An optional, advisory second opinion. When you tap it and allow it, the proof is checked by an AI run by Hugging Face (the Qwen3-VL model on Featherless AI) and you get a suggestion — but you or your assigned friend always make the final call. It never runs on its own, it's never offered on Apple Health check-ins, and you don't have to use it.

Who checks proof photos? Before your buddy sees a proof photo, it is automatically checked for nudity and violence by Sightengine. Only the image is sent, and Sightengine doesn't keep it.

Can I make text bigger or increase contrast? Yes. Backd follows your iPhone's Larger Text (Display & Text Size) setting, and Settings → Accessibility adds High contrast and Flat surfaces (reduce transparency) options.

A reminder showed on my lock screen — does it reveal my goals? No. Notification text is deliberately generic and never includes your specific goal or any money figures.

Report abuse or a safety concern

If a buddy or group member is harassing you, submitted something inappropriate, or you have any other safety concern:

• Use the Report action on the proof or comment in the app (it opens an email to us with the details pre-filled), or email support@backd.dev directly with "Report" in the subject.
• You can also remove the connection yourself: goal owners control which buddy reviews a goal, you can remove a buddy in the app, and you can leave any group at any time. Group admins can remove members and delete comments.
• All connections in Backd are invite-only — there is no public feed and no way for strangers to find or contact you.

Backd is not an emergency service

Backd is an accountability tool. It is not a medical, mental-health, or crisis service, and support email is not monitored around the clock. If you or someone else is in danger or crisis, contact your local emergency number (911 in the US) or a crisis line such as 988 (US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) instead.

Contact

Email: support@backd.dev Privacy Policy: /privacy Terms of Service: /terms