iOS local/offline mode not possible anymore?

[markopy]

I have been using Standard Notes on iOS with only a local password for encryption and no syncing. This has been working fine and without problems.

After trying to install the app on a new device I wasn't able to set this up anymore though. The initial splash screen seems to require login in or signing up with an email address and server.

Is there some trick to bypass the splash screen so I can set up a local password in the settings? If not, can this option be added please?

[mobitar]

This will be the default behavior on mobile now until we figure out a better plan for offline backups.

From reddit thread:

We decided we didn't want users to be at the mercy of vendor software updates (iOS and Android updates) for their data safety. We saw an issue where a small minority of users who updated to iOS 13 and did not have their notes synced had their local database wiped inexplicably. Using the app offline with no backups, particularly on mobile, is generally precarious.

[markopy]

I understand that you don't want people to lose their data and this can't be the default but removing the option entirely seems a bit extreme. Losing data on an iOS upgrade wouldn't be a big deal for me and a tradeoff I can accept for not having my data synced to a server.

I'm not entirely clear what change you made though. If I sign up with an account to get into the app settings, can I still enable local encryption and then unlink from the account again so no sync happens?

[mobitar]

Losing data on an iOS upgrade wouldn't be a big deal for me and a tradeoff I can accept for not having my data synced to a server.

Many casual users who install our app will begin taking notes right away with the assumption that their data is somehow backed up. They don't even think about it.

We may relax these measures in a future update, but we'd need to do it in a way that properly educates the user on their responsibility. The splash screen is a quick fix to prevent any further damage until we can nail a solid educational foundation.

and then unlink from the account again so no sync happens?

This isn't possible.

[markopy]

That's disappointing but thanks for taking the time to explain!

[DaringDreams]

Up until recently been able to create unencrypted notes on Standard Notes without an account. According to Standard Notes FAQ:

Standard Notes can be used totally offline without an account, and without an internet connection.

• https://standardnotes.org/help/59/can-i-use-standard-notes-totally-offline 

The beauty of Standard Notes over Evernote was the fact that you didn't have an external dependency. A good compromise would be from the splash screen in the advanced link opened an option called "Use Offline at your own risk. OS Updates can potentially delete all device notes".

I manually create backups and travel to places outside of cell reception even with the best cell carrier. Being able to take notes while traveling is extremely valable, Standard Notes was the perfect app for this while being extremely flexible (Android to Linux exports). I understand why more advocation for having to login is in place, but removing the offline option altogether seems a bit extreme.

[mobitar]

Yup, was thinking the same. We want to create an advanced mode where users will need to confirm the risks. It's just a matter of building it in.

[DaringDreams]

Greatly appreciated. Extremely pleased to hear interest in having a risk prompt.