Accounts, Sync & Sign-In

CadenceAI is built so you can start focusing immediately and only sign in when you actually need to. This guide explains guest mode, how sync works, the four sign-in options, and which features require an account. New to the app? Begin with Getting Started With CadenceAI.

Guest mode: start with no account

When you first open CadenceAI you're in guest mode — no email, no password, no sign-up. You can run focus sessions, track stats, grow your tree, and change nearly every setting without ever creating an account. Your data is saved and synced to the cloud so it isn't stranded on a single screen.

Cloud sync that merges on sign-up

The key thing to know: you won't lose your guest progress when you create an account. Your guest data merges into your new account automatically the moment you sign up, so your sessions, stats, streaks, and preferences carry straight over. There's no export/import step and nothing to back up manually.

How to sign in

You can sign in with email, Apple, Google, or GitHub. All four link to the same CadenceAI account, so pick whichever is easiest for you.

1. Open Settings and tap the sign-in or account option.
2. Choose Email, Apple, Google, or GitHub.
3. Complete the provider's prompt (for email, enter your address; for Apple, Google, or GitHub, approve the one-tap flow).
4. Your guest data merges in automatically and you're signed in. To move to a new device, repeat with the same method there.

What needs an account

Most of CadenceAI works without signing in. An account is required only for features that are inherently connected to other people or outside services:

• Leaderboards — the per-method global boards and levels (Starter through Legend) need an identity to rank you.
• Study rooms — joining a room with a 6-character code, live presence, and chat require an account.
• Spotify — linking your Spotify liked songs and playlists in the sound mixer (a Pro feature) needs an account to hold the connection.

Everything else — the timer, all six focus methods you have access to, stats and CSV export, the growth tree and Your Island, animated timer themes, the app blocker, and wind-down scenes — works in guest mode.

Managing your account and privacy

You can sign out at any time from Settings; your synced data stays with the account and returns when you sign back in. If something isn't syncing as expected, our troubleshooting guide covers sync and sign-in fixes. For how your data is handled, see the privacy policy.