Local capture
No drifty account is required for the local tracking path. The complete timeline stays in a local database by default.
Private time tracker for Mac, with clear data controls
drifty stores your complete activity timeline on your Mac by default. Choose Local AI to keep classification requests on the device too. Remote AI and optional Device Sync have separate controls. Product analytics is enabled by default; turn it off in Settings → Privacy. For Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 13 or later.
What drifty observes on your Mac
drifty builds a record from active apps, durations, available window titles, supported browser context, and timing. It does not record the screen or save screenshots. Activity metadata can still be sensitive: a client or case name may appear in a title. Local storage means the Mac holds the record; it does not mean nothing is recorded.
- Active apps and their usage durations form the local activity record.
- Window titles depend on the required permission and may include client names.
- Domains, page addresses, and available titles can describe supported website activity.
- Classification requests exclude raw document and message bodies.
- You can pause tracking and remove selected local History records.
Where AI processes your activity
AI classification is separate from storing the complete timeline. Remote classification uses a reduced set of fields; optional window titles and page addresses deserve a privacy review.
| Data path | Where it goes | What can be included | Your control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local history | Local database on your Mac | Complete activity timeline | Pause tracking; delete records in History |
| Local AI | On your Mac | Selected activity fields for classification | Choose Local AI and download a model |
| drifty Cloud | Hosted provider route | Selected fields, including optional context | Select or leave this AI option |
| OpenRouter key | Chosen remote provider | Selected fields | Use your key and chosen provider |
| Custom endpoint | Configured local or remote endpoint | Selected fields | Configure an endpoint you trust |
| Device Sync | Private account storage when enabled | Raw activity segments | Separate per-computer opt-in and remote deletion |
| Product analytics | PostHog while enabled | Limited events and capped summary counts | Turn off future events in Privacy |
Choose the controls that fit your work
These controls address different uses of data. Pausing capture does not remove an existing cloud copy, and turning off analytics does not delete local activity.
| What to control | Where to choose | What changes | What stays separate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification on device | Local AI in Settings | Requests stay on your Mac | Analytics and Sync settings |
| Activity copy on other computers | Settings → Account → Device Sync | Sync can be paused; cloud copy can be deleted | Local records remain on each computer |
| Future product analytics | Settings → Privacy | Stops future events | Previously sent events remain subject to policy |
| Local records | Pause or History deletion | Controls new or existing local activity | Remote copy needs separate handling |
For retention and deletion details, read the privacy policy and AI data boundaries. For setup, see the permissions guide. For a broader walkthrough, read privacy-first time tracking on Mac.
Know what each permission adds
Accessibility is required during setup to capture window titles. Notifications are optional. Importing recent Safari history is optional and requires Full Disk Access; ordinary live tracking does not depend on that import.
Optional Device Sync
Pro Device Sync is off by default. Enable it in Settings → Account on each of your Macs or Windows PCs, up to three computers, to copy raw activity segments to private account storage. You can pause sync or delete the cloud copy. If all qualifying trial, Pro, or Enterprise seat access ends, the cloud copy is kept for 60 days and then deleted unless access resumes; local records remain.
Analytics settings
Product analytics is enabled by default. Turning it off in Privacy stops future PostHog events but does not delete previously sent events. Deleting an account does not automatically remove them. The privacy policy currently allows desktop analytics retention for up to seven years and explains how to request deletion of identifiable records.
Explore tracking, classification, and privacy
Private time tracking FAQ
Can I use drifty without an account?
Yes. The local tracking path can work without an account. Cloud features require their own setup. Local AI also needs a model download.
Can drifty work as an offline time tracker?
Local capture continues offline. Local AI can classify once its model is ready. drifty Cloud and OpenRouter need an internet connection for classification.
Will other people see my activity history?
Public profiles and leaderboard participation are optional. They use selected profile information and aggregate focus totals rather than publishing the underlying activity timeline.
Can I delete part of my local history?
Yes. History lets you find and delete selected records or a broader range. If you enabled Device Sync, manage its remote copy separately.
Does Local AI turn off every data transfer?
No. Local AI keeps classification requests on your Mac. Device Sync and product analytics each have separate settings.
What can analytics contain?
While enabled, the app sends limited product events and capped summary counts to PostHog, excluding raw activity history, URLs, and window titles. See the privacy policy for retention and deletion details.
Private tracking with clear choices
Keep the complete timeline local by default and choose separately where AI runs, whether to sync, and whether to send future analytics events.