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Terms of Use

Effective Date: March 18, 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of Gratitude First, a mobile application developed and published by an independent developer ("the developer," "I," "me," or "my"). By downloading, installing, or using Gratitude First, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the app.

I may update these Terms from time to time. If I make material changes, I will notify you through the app or by other reasonable means. Your continued use of Gratitude First after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Description of the Service

Gratitude First is an iOS application designed to help you build a daily gratitude journaling habit by integrating with Apple's Screen Time framework. The app allows you to:

Gratitude First uses Apple's FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity frameworks in "individual" (self-management) mode. You are choosing to lock your own apps. The app never permanently locks you out of your device, and an emergency unlock is always available.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years of age to use Gratitude First. If you are under 18, you represent that you have obtained the consent of a parent or legal guardian to use the app. By using Gratitude First, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

4. No Account Required

Gratitude First does not require you to create an account, provide an email address, or set a password. The app generates an anonymous device identifier (a random UUID) on first launch. This identifier is used solely to coordinate internal services such as analytics and subscription management. It is not linked to your name, Apple ID, or any personally identifiable information.

Your subscription and purchase history are managed entirely through your Apple ID via Apple's StoreKit framework. I do not process or store your payment information.

5. Subscriptions & Payments

5.1 Subscription Plans

Gratitude First is a premium subscription app. After a free trial period, a paid subscription is required to continue using the app.

Gratitude First offers the following subscription plans:

Pricing is displayed in the app and on the App Store at the time of purchase. Prices may vary by region due to local currency conversion. Pricing is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated in advance and will not affect your current billing period.

5.2 Free Trial

New users receive a free trial that provides full access to all features. At the end of the trial, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial period ends. You can cancel at any time through your Apple ID subscription settings. Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited if you purchase a subscription before the trial ends.

5.3 Billing & Renewal

All payments are processed by Apple through the App Store. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Your Apple ID account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of your selected plan.

5.4 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on your iOS device. Upon cancellation, you will retain access to premium features until the end of your current billing period. After that, app-locking functionality will be deactivated and you will be prompted to resubscribe.

Your journal entries, streak history, and settings are preserved even after your subscription expires. No data is deleted.

5.5 Refunds

Refund requests are handled by Apple in accordance with their App Store refund policies. I do not process refunds directly. To request a refund, visit here.

6. How App Locking Works

Gratitude First uses Apple's FamilyControls framework to restrict access to apps you select, at times you choose. Please understand the following:

The app uses Apple's "individual" authorization mode, meaning you are managing your own screen time. Gratitude First is not a parental control tool and should not be used as one.

7. Your Content

When you write gratitude journal entries, that content belongs to you. I do not claim any ownership of your entries.

Your journal text is stored locally on your device and, if iCloud is enabled, backed up to your private iCloud container. Your raw gratitude text is never sent to any external server or third-party service. I cannot read your journal entries.

You are responsible for the content of your journal entries. While the app is designed for personal reflection, please do not use Gratitude First to store sensitive information such as passwords, financial details, or other confidential data.

8. Data & Privacy

Your privacy is fundamental to how Gratitude First was built. Here is a summary of how your data is handled:

For full details, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

9. Acceptable Use

By using Gratitude First, you agree not to:

10. Intellectual Property

All content, design, branding, code, and materials within Gratitude First (excluding your personal journal entries) are my property and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. This includes the app's name, logo, design system, curated prompt library, affirmation text, and visual identity.

You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of the app without my prior written consent.

11. Third-Party Services

Gratitude First integrates with the following third-party services:

Your use of these services is also subject to their respective terms and privacy policies. I am not responsible for the practices or availability of third-party services.

12. Disclaimers

Gratitude First is a journaling and habit-building tool. It is not a medical device, therapy service, or substitute for professional mental health care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a qualified professional or reach out to a crisis helpline in your region.

The app is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

I do not guarantee that the app will be uninterrupted, error-free, or compatible with all devices or iOS versions. FamilyControls behavior is managed by Apple's operating system and may be affected by iOS updates or device-level settings outside my control.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, I shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of access to apps on your device, or any damages arising from your use or inability to use Gratitude First.

My total aggregate liability for any claims arising from or related to your use of the app shall not exceed the amount you have paid for your subscription in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the claim.

14. Data Loss & Backup

While I design the app to protect your data through local storage and iCloud backup, I cannot guarantee against data loss. Potential causes of data loss include, but are not limited to: device failure, iOS updates, iCloud being disabled, or app deletion.

If you delete the app, your locally stored data will be lost. If iCloud backup was enabled, your data may be recoverable upon reinstallation. I strongly recommend keeping iCloud enabled for data protection.

I am not responsible for data loss resulting from circumstances beyond my reasonable control.

15. Termination

You may stop using Gratitude First at any time by deleting the app and cancelling your subscription through your Apple ID settings.

I reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the app if I reasonably believe you have violated these Terms. In such cases, no refund will be issued for the remaining subscription period.

16. Changes to the App

I am continuously improving Gratitude First and may add, modify, or remove features at any time. I will make reasonable efforts to communicate significant changes through app updates or in-app notifications.

17. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws applicable in the jurisdiction where the developer resides. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved through good-faith negotiation between the parties. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, it may be submitted to the competent courts of the developer's jurisdiction of residence.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the developer regarding your use of Gratitude First, superseding any prior agreements or understandings.

20. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, please reach out at:

Email: gratitudefirst.app@gmail.com
Website: www.gratitudefirst.app