Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to prepare anything before I start?

Not at all. There's no preparation needed. Just pick a topic that interests you and start chatting. We'll ask simple questions — you talk, we listen. You can stop any time and come back whenever you like.

What kind of stories can I share?

Anything you'd like to remember or pass on. Childhood memories, career highlights, family stories, travel adventures, funny moments — there's no right or wrong topic. Most people start with something simple like a favourite pet or where they grew up.

How long does a conversation take?

As long as you like. A single conversation might take 5 minutes or 30 minutes. You can stop at any point and your progress is saved. You can always come back and continue later.

Do I need to be a good writer?

No. You just type your answers in plain, everyday language. Our AI takes your words and turns them into a polished, readable story. You don't need to worry about grammar, spelling, or structure.

Who can see my stories?

Only you. Your stories are completely private. No one else — not even our team — can see your content unless you specifically share it.

Is my data safe?

Yes. All your data is encrypted and stored on secure servers in Sydney, Australia. We use the same level of encryption as banks and financial institutions.

Will my stories be used to train AI?

No. Your stories and personal information are never used to train AI models. This is a firm commitment.

Can I delete my stories?

Yes, at any time. You can delete individual stories from your dashboard, or contact us to delete your entire account and all associated data.

Can I download my stories?

Yes. You can download any individual story from its detail page, or download all your stories at once from your dashboard. Your stories are exported as text files that you can keep, print, or share however you like.

What happens to my data if the service shuts down?

We would give you advance notice and the opportunity to download all your content before any shutdown.

What are the different ways I can share my stories?

There are three ways:

1. Have a conversation — type back and forth with our AI interviewer, who asks you questions about your chosen topic
2. Upload a recording — upload a voice memo or audio recording and we'll transcribe it automatically
3. Upload a document — upload handwritten notes, letters, typed documents, or photos of written text and we'll read them for you

What is a "polished story"?

When you save a conversation, you can choose to have AI transform your back-and-forth chat into a smooth, readable narrative — written in your voice, using your words, but organised and polished. You can review and edit it before saving.

Can I choose how my polished story is written?

Yes. You can choose:

• First person ("I remember...") or third person ("Andrew remembers...")
• Length — from a brief summary to a detailed narrative, or sized for a 3 or 5-minute speech
• Audience — tailored for family, grandchildren, a funeral, a birthday celebration, or any other occasion
• Focus — emphasise particular aspects like funny stories, career achievements, or a specific time period

What does "Continue This Story" do?

If you want to add more to a story you've already started, click "Continue This Story" and we'll pick up where you left off. This is great for adding details across multiple sessions.

Can I combine multiple stories into one?

Yes. Use the "Combine stories" feature on your dashboard to select two or more stories and merge them into one flowing narrative or a story with chapters.

What file types can I upload?

• Documents: PDF, Word (.docx), text files (.txt), and images of handwritten text (.jpg, .png)
• Audio: MP3, M4A, WAV, and WEBM files up to 100MB

Can the AI read handwriting?

Yes, in most cases. Our AI can read both typed and handwritten text. Very faded or heavily cursive handwriting may be less accurate, but you can always review and correct the results.

What is Before I Forget?

Before I Forget is a platform that helps people preserve their life stories and memories in a way that's easy, private, and beautiful. We believe every person's story is worth keeping, and we use AI to make the process as simple as having a conversation.

Is this service free?

During our current testing phase, yes. We may introduce paid plans in the future, but we will always give you advance notice of any changes.

Is this an Australian service?

Yes. Before I Forget is built and operated in Australia, and all data is stored in Australia.

How do I get help or give feedback?

Email us at ajtwaits@icloud.com. We'd love to hear from you — your feedback helps us improve.