Brainstorm keeps a small diagnostic log so problems can be understood and fixed. It is built to respect your privacy: everything is local by default, and nothing leaves your Mac unless you choose to share it.
What is always local
Brainstorm writes a rolling log of what the app itself is doing (opening a page, saving, exporting, and any errors it runs into). This log stays on your Mac. You can read it any time:
- Settings > Privacy > View Diagnostic Log shows the recent entries.
- From there, Copy or Export puts the log on your clipboard or into a text file, handy if you are reporting a problem.
This local log never contains the contents of your notes. It records actions and errors, not what you wrote or drew.
Sharing diagnostics (off by default)
If you would like to help improve Brainstorm, you can turn on Settings > Privacy > Share anonymous diagnostics. It is off until you switch it on.
When it is on, and only then, Brainstorm sends anonymous error and crash information so problems can be spotted and fixed.
What is shared: the error and crash details, the app and macOS version, your Mac's model, free memory and disk, a short trail of recent actions (their names, like "open page" or "save"), and a random per-install identifier that is not tied to you in any way.
What is never shared: the contents of your notes, their titles, your file names, or anything you typed or drew. Sharing is anonymous and cannot be traced back to you.
Your audio recordings and transcripts are also never involved in diagnostics; those always stay on your Mac (see Recording & transcription).
Send a test report
After you turn sharing on, Settings > Privacy > Send a Test Report sends one sample report so you can confirm diagnostics are getting through. It contains only the anonymous information listed above.
Send feedback
To tell us what is working or what is not, use Help > Send Feedback. You can write a message, add your email if you would like a reply, and optionally attach the same anonymous diagnostics. Nothing is attached that you did not choose to include.
Your control
- The switch is off until you turn it on, and you can turn it off again at any time.
- Turning it off stops all sharing immediately; local logging simply continues on your Mac.
- The identifier used for sharing is anonymous and per-install, never linked to your identity.