Questions
Everything people ask
If your question is not here, write to me. It is one person answering, so give it a day or two.
The basics
What is Ciao!, in one sentence?
An iPhone app that tells you who you haven’t talked to in a while, counting from the last time you did, and gives each friend a little animal whose face shows how long it’s been.
How is this different from a reminder?
A reminder counts from a date. Ciao! counts from the last time you actually spoke, so talking early moves everything. Reminders cannot say “three weeks after the last time we talked”. That is the whole reason this exists.
Does it read my WhatsApp or iMessage?
No, and it cannot. iOS gives no app access to your messages in any app. You tell it yourself, with one swipe, which takes about two seconds.
Do my friends know they are in it?
No. Nobody is contacted, nothing is shared, there is no feed and no profile for anyone to find. Nobody wants to learn they are on somebody’s maintenance schedule.
Does it send the message for me?
Never. It reminds, you write. A friend can always tell when a machine typed it, and a message you did not write is worth less than no message.
How often does it buzz?
When it’s been a while with someone, one note that evening, never more than one of those a day. On Sunday morning, one more if anyone is waiting. Plus birthdays, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, and any reminder you set on a note. Turn them off in iOS Settings and the app still works.
Money and accounts
What does it cost?
The app starts with 7 days free, then €3.99 a year. Outside the euro countries, the App Store shows your local price before you confirm. Cancel any time in your iPhone’s Settings. If you bought the old one-time unlock, you keep everything.
Do I need an account?
No. No email, no password, no phone number, no Sign in with Apple. There is nothing to sign up for.
Where do my notes live?
On your iPhone, and backed up to your own private iCloud if you are signed in, so a lost phone does not mean lost notes. That is your Apple Account, not our server. We cannot read any of it.
Living with it
What if I miss a Sunday?
Nothing happens. No streak breaks, no badge appears, nothing turns red. The cards are still there next week.
Can I pause somebody?
Yes, any time. Turn off reminders for them and their creature settles into a calm face and stays there. Their birthday note still comes. Turn reminders back on and the count starts again from that day.
Can I set my own rhythm?
Every day, every week or two, once a month, once every couple of months, or exactly every so many days or weeks, up to 12 weeks.
Is there a widget?
Yes, in two sizes. It shows who you haven’t talked to in a while and whose birthday is coming up, and never your notes.
Is there an Android version?
No, and there is no plan for one. It is iPhone only.
What languages does it speak?
English, Italian, Spanish, French and German. Not translated word for word either: each one was written to sound like a person in that language.
Still wondering? Try it free for 7 days.
Get Ciao! on the App Store
Then €3.99 a year · No account · Cancel any time