zDossier is a private notebook for the people, places, and things in your life. It lives on your iPhone or iPad, with no account, no server, and no tracking.
Where Is My Data?
Only on your iPhone or iPad, in a file that iOS and iPadOS keep unreadable while your device is locked (this needs a device passcode). zDossier doesn’t send it to us. If you use iCloud Backup or back up to a computer, those backups include it, just like other app data.
What Are Categories?
Every entry belongs to a category. zDossier starts with People, Restaurants, Businesses, and Places, and you can add, rename, reorder, or delete categories in Settings. Deleting a category moves its entries. Each category shows the fields that fit it, and any entry can have notes and tags.
Can I Import From Contacts?
Yes. Import From Contacts asks first, then copies each person’s whole contact card into your notebook, except the notes in your contacts. While zDossier is open, it keeps those copied details up to date. You can turn this off with Keep Contact Details Updated in Settings. Copied details are read-only in zDossier; tap Edit in Contacts to change them in Apple’s contact editor. You can also import a vCard file.
Does zDossier Change My Contacts?
Only to add a link, which you can skip. When you import someone, zDossier adds a “zDossier” link to their contact so you can open their entry from Contacts. The link holds only a random identifier, not your notes, and it’s the only thing zDossier writes to Contacts. To skip it, choose Import Without Links, or turn off Link Contacts to zDossier in Settings, which also offers to remove the links already added.
How Do I Move My Notebook to Another Device?
Use Export Entire Notebook to share a .dossier.json file through the share sheet (AirDrop, Files, and so on), then import it on the other iPhone or iPad. Exported files aren’t encrypted unless you turn on Encrypt With a Passphrase before you export. zDossier then asks for a passphrase you choose and makes a .dossier.enc file, which opens in zDossier with that passphrase. We can’t recover a forgotten passphrase, and without it, you won’t be able to open the file. Encrypted or not, send files only to places you trust. Nothing goes through our servers, because there aren’t any. Older versions of zDossier can’t open every file that zDossier 1.4.0 makes, so update zDossier on both devices first.
How Do I Delete Everything?
Use Erase Local Notebook in the Settings tab. It deletes your notebook, any temporary export files, and any set-aside recovery copies on this device, and it tries to remove the zDossier links from your contacts. It can’t be undone, and it doesn’t remove files you already exported or copies in your device backups. If zDossier no longer has access to Contacts, or if you delete the app instead, remove any remaining links yourself in the Contacts app.
I See a Message That My Notebook Is From a Newer Version
Update zDossier from the App Store or TestFlight. Until then, zDossier won’t save over your notebook, and it lets you share a copy of it for safekeeping.
How Do I Report a Problem or Suggest Something?
During the beta, use Send Beta Feedback in the TestFlight app, or take a screenshot in zDossier and tap Share Beta Feedback. Screenshots show whatever is on screen, so check that they don’t include anything private before sending.
Privacy
Read the zDossier Privacy Policy.