FAQ
Questions
When can I start using it?
We're finishing the launch now. Join the mailing list and we'll email you when you can sign up, and again when the iOS and Android apps are in the stores.
What happens when I join the mailing list?
We send one email asking you to confirm your address — nothing else arrives until you click it. After that we'll email you occasionally: when OurSharedLife launches, when the apps are available, and when something significant ships. Every email has a one-click unsubscribe.
Is this meant for couples only?
It's optimised for two-person households, but it works for any shared home — families, flatmates and sharehouses included.
Where is my data stored?
In a PostgreSQL database hosted in Sydney, Australia, by our database provider Supabase. Everything is encrypted in transit and at rest, and messages and shared notes are also end-to-end encrypted.
Do you support Google, Outlook and iCloud two-way sync?
Google and Outlook support full two-way sync — create, update and delete events in both directions. iCloud syncs via CalDAV. Changes you make in the app update everywhere.
Are my messages private?
Yes. Messages are end-to-end encrypted using X25519 key exchange and AES-256-GCM, and each message uses a unique encryption key. Only members of your household can read them — we can't.
What are disappearing messages?
You can set messages to disappear after they've been read, after 24 hours, or after an attachment has been downloaded. The encryption keys are permanently deleted, which makes the messages unreadable.
Can I turn off read receipts?
Yes. In privacy settings you choose whether others see when you've read their messages. Read receipts are on by default.
What are shared notes?
A collaborative space for your household: date ideas, restaurant recommendations, travel wish lists, home projects. Organise by category, add checklists, pin what matters and attach reminders. Notes are end-to-end encrypted.
What are reminders?
Time-based reminders (daily, weekly, or a custom time like 'tomorrow at 9am') and location-based reminders (when you arrive at or leave a place). Attach them to any task or note.
How are my calendar connections secured?
The access tokens for calendar integrations are encrypted with AES-256-GCM before they're stored, and incoming calendar updates are verified with HMAC signatures.
Can I choose which calendars to sync?
Yes. Pick specific calendars from each provider, and choose how often they sync: manually, daily or weekly.
Does it work offline?
The iOS and Android apps are built to work offline and sync when you reconnect; they're on their way to the App Store and Google Play. The web app needs an internet connection.
Who makes OurSharedLife?
OurSharedLife is built by Veracity Software Solutions Pty Ltd, an Australian company based in Ringwood, Victoria.