The short, fair version.

Last updated 19 October 2026. These terms cover the Sideleaf app for Mac and this website, made by Madanu Akash, an independent developer ("we").

The app licence

Sideleaf is sold through the Mac App Store, so your use of the app is governed by Apple's Licensed Application End User License Agreement (the standard EULA), together with these terms. If the two ever disagree, Apple's agreement applies.

Free trial

Sideleaf is free to download. The 7-day trial is a free in-app purchase from the App Store: it costs nothing, never renews and never charges you. During the trial every feature works. When it ends, your notes stay readable, searchable and exportable, but you can't add or edit notes until you unlock Sideleaf. The trial is tied to your Apple Account, so it can be taken once.

Unlocking Sideleaf

Unlocking is a single in-app purchase. It is not a subscription and is never charged again. The price is shown in your own currency in the App Store and in the app before you buy, and may include a launch discount for a limited time. Apple handles payment, receipts and taxes. Your unlock belongs to your Apple Account and comes back on your other Macs through Restore Purchases.

Refunds

Because Apple processes every purchase, refunds are requested from Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com and follow Apple's policies. If a purchase is refunded, the unlock is removed and Sideleaf goes back to read-only. Your notes are never deleted.

Your notes are yours

You own everything you write. Notes are stored only on your Mac and encrypted with a key kept in your keychain, so we cannot see them and cannot recover them for you. Please keep your own backups (Time Machine works) and export notes you can't afford to lose.

Apple Intelligence suggestions

The writing actions use Apple's on-device model. Suggestions can leave out or change details, so Sideleaf always shows them side by side for you to review before anything is applied.

Updates

We may improve, change or remove features in updates, which arrive through the App Store. Updates to version 1 are included with your unlock.

This website and the launch list

You can use this website freely. If you leave your email for launch news, we use it only for that, and you can unsubscribe with one click. See the privacy policy.

No warranty

Sideleaf is provided "as is". To the extent the law allows, we aren't liable for lost data or indirect losses from using it. Nothing in these terms limits rights you have under consumer law where you live.

Changes and contact

If these terms change, the new version will be posted here with a new date. Questions are welcome at hellosideleaf@gmail.com.