How to Lock Your Offline Dream Diary With Face ID on iOS 18 Without Creating an Account
If you hand your unlocked iPhone to a friend or family member to show photos, you probably do not want them tapping into your dream diary or evening reflections. While Dreams Calendar version 1.1 does not build its own separate PIN screen or user account system, it requires iOS 18 or later—which lets you lock the app directly with Apple's system-level Face ID or Touch ID protection.
How local SwiftData storage + iOS 18 Face ID lock work together
Privacy has two halves: keeping data off remote cloud servers, and keeping casual snoops off your screen when your phone is unlocked. Combining Dreams Calendar's local-only architecture with iOS 18's native app lock covers both without inventing a password you might forget.
| Privacy Layer | How It Works | What It Protects Against |
|---|---|---|
| On-Device SwiftData Database | Entries live only in local app storage; zero cloud sync or account | Server breaches, cloud account leaks, and cross-device exposure |
| Zero Sensitive OS Permissions | Never asks for Calendar, Contacts, Photos, Microphone, or Health | Accidental mixing with work calendars or health databases |
| iOS 18 Native "Require Face ID" | System biometric check before launching the app or showing notification previews | Someone holding your unlocked iPhone or iPad |
Enable Require Face ID on Dreams Calendar in 3 steps
Because Dreams Calendar requires iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 or later, every device that runs the app supports Apple's built-in biometric app lock.
- Locate the Dreams Calendar icon on your iPhone or iPad Home Screen.
- Long-press the app icon until the quick-actions menu appears, then tap Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID / Passcode).
- Confirm Require Face ID in the system prompt and authenticate once; from now on, iOS requires your face or thumbprint every time the app is opened.
What to remember about backups and deleting the app
Because there is no cloud account or developer server holding a copy of your entries, deleting Dreams Calendar from your device permanently deletes its SwiftData database. Version 1.1 does not include a file export feature, so rely on encrypted iOS device backups (via Finder on Mac or standard iOS backup) when upgrading to a new phone.
Why doesn't Dreams Calendar ask me to create an email and password?
An account is only needed when an app stores your data on remote servers. Dreams Calendar stores your journal strictly on your device.
What happens if I forget a passcode inside Dreams Calendar?
Dreams Calendar has no separate internal passcode to forget—when you use iOS 18's Require Face ID feature, authentication is handled by your standard Apple device biometrics and passcode.
Does the free app share my written dreams with ad networks?
No. Your written dreams, reflections, and sleep ratings remain in local SwiftData storage and are never sent over the network. Google AdMob only uses the network to serve occasional full-screen ads.
