No surprises
How Other You
actually works
A complete guide — how to install the app, create personas, connect with your partner, plan a date, and keep your data safe.
On this page
This is an early version of Other You
The full experience — persona creation, date matching, partner connection, and sync — is built and working. This guide covers everything as it exists today.
📲 Installing the app
Other You is a Progressive Web App (PWA). You install it directly from your browser — no App Store, no download, no account required.
iPhone & iPad — use Safari
Add to Home Screen
Important: You must use Safari. Chrome and other browsers on iPhone cannot install PWAs.
1. Open Safari and go to pwa.other-you.app
2. Tap the Share button ⎙ at the bottom
3. Scroll down and tap “Add to Home Screen”
4. Tap Add in the top right
5. The app icon appears on your home screen
Android — use Chrome
Install App
1. Open Chrome and go to pwa.other-you.app
2. Tap the three-dot menu ⋮ in the top right
3. Tap “Add to Home Screen” or “Install App”
4. Tap Install to confirm
Chrome may also show an automatic install banner at the bottom of the screen — tap that if it appears.
Using on desktop
The app works in any modern browser on Mac, Windows, or Linux. Although the app is designed for mobile first — on a large screen it displays in a centred column. You can also just use it in a regular browser tab without installing.
✨ Getting started — the demo and your first persona
When you first open Other You, you’ll see a four-slide introduction. Read through it, then you have two choices: try the demo, or set up your real profile.
Try the demo first
The demo loads two fully written fictional people — Jordan and Avery — each with four personas. You can explore every feature of the app with their personas: spin matches, accept dates, view history entries. Nothing you do in demo mode is saved. It’s a safe way to see how everything works before you commit to creating your own.
Set up your real profile
Tap “Start for real” on the welcome screen. You’ll be asked for your name and a one-line bio — just enough for your partner to know whose profile they’re looking at. This takes about 30 seconds. You can change it later in Settings.
🌀 Creating and managing personas
A persona is an alternate version of you — based on a crossroads you didn’t take, a phase that ended too soon, or a version of yourself that never quite got to exist. You can have as many as you like.
Go to the Profiles tab
Tap the Profiles icon in the bottom navigation bar. You’ll see your personas listed here, plus an “Add a self” button.
Tap “Add a self”
The persona creation screen opens. Start with the name — a real name, an archetype (“The Musician”), or both (“Noa — The Wanderer”). If you’re stuck, tap “Suggest a name” for ideas.
Write the origin story
What crossroads created this version of you? “The year I quit my band to get a real job” or “When I turned down the job in Tokyo.”
Describe who they are
What does this version of you care about? What’s their vibe? What would you find in their apartment?
Add traits and an avatar
Pick personality traits from the suggestions or write your own — phrases like “cries at commercials” work just as well as single words. Choose an emoji avatar, and optionally upload a photo of yourself dressed as this persona.
Tap “Save this version of you”
Your persona is saved to your device. It syncs to your partner’s device automatically the next time you’re both online.
Reordering personas
On the Profiles screen, each persona has a small up/down arrow pair on the right side. Tap them to change the order. The order affects which persona appears first on the Date screen.
Deleting a persona
Open the persona to edit it, then scroll to the bottom and tap “Remove this persona.” A confirmation screen appears before anything is deleted. Your other personas are not affected.
🔗 Connecting with your partner
The first connection is a one-time handshake. You do not need to be in the same room — it works entirely remotely over text, email, or any messaging app.
No accounts required
The invite link itself is the relationship. It contains a unique pair ID and an encryption key. Only the two of you ever hold that key — it never touches any server. Whoever has the link can join, so only send it to your partner.
One partner generates the invite
Go to the Connect screen (tap Settings → Partner connection, or the Connect option on the Home screen). Tap “Generate invite for my partner.” The app creates a private link, a QR code, and a manual code — all at once.
Share the invite link
Tap “Share invite link” to use your phone’s share sheet (works with any messaging app), or tap “Copy link to clipboard” to paste it yourself. The link looks like: pwa.other-you.app/join#pair=…
Your partner opens the link
When your partner taps the link, the app opens and the connection is established automatically. If they haven’t set up their profile yet, they’ll be prompted to do that first — the connection completes after.
Personas sync automatically
Once connected, both partners exchange their personas. Within a few seconds (if both devices are online), you’ll each see the other’s personas appear on your Profiles screen.
A
Invite link — recommended
Send it via text, WhatsApp, iMessage, email — anything. Works remotely. This is the easiest method for most couples.
B
QR code — in person
The same invite displayed as a QR code on your screen. Your partner opens their camera and points it at your screen. Instant — but requires both phones in the same room.
C
Manual code — fallback
A short code like 7X9K-2M4P your partner can type in. Use this if the link doesn’t work for some reason.
The invite link expires after one use
Once your partner joins, the link is invalid. If you sent it to the wrong person, cancel it immediately in the Connect screen before they open it. You can generate a new invite any time.
🎰 The date matching experience
The Date tab is where the magic happens. It pairs one of your personas with one of your partner’s. Spin, lock what you like, and accept when the combination feels right.
Tap “Spin your next match”
The slot machine spins and lands on one persona from each of you. Both you and your partner see the same result — the spin is synced so you’re always planning the same date.
Lock what you like, re-spin the rest
Each persona slot has a lock button (🔓). Tap it to lock that persona. Then tap “Spin again” — locked slots stay put while the unlocked one re-rolls. Mix and match until the combination feels right.
Browse manually if you prefer
Every persona slot also has left/right arrow buttons for manual control. You can cycle through your personas one at a time — no spinning required.
Accept the date
When you’re happy with the combination, tap “Accept this date night.” This locks in the match and changes the button to “We did it — mark as complete.” Both you and your partner can see the accepted date.
Go on the date
Both you and your partner see the same matched personas. Go on a date as those two versions of yourselves — dress up as your persona if you like.
Mark it complete
After the date, open the app and tap “We did it — mark as complete.” The date is saved to your History. You can then spin a new match.
You don’t have to spin
Some couples prefer to choose their personas deliberately rather than leaving it to chance. Use the manual arrows to pick exactly who meets who, then accept. The spin is an option, not a requirement.
🕰 Date history
Every completed date is saved in the History tab. Tap any entry to expand it and see the personas who matched and the date completed.
Editing the date
If you mark a date complete in the app before you actually go on it, you can fix the date afterward. Expand the history entry and tap “Edit date” in the bottom right of the card. A date picker lets you set the real date you went on it.
What’s in each entry
Each history entry shows both persona avatars and the personas’ names. Expanding it shows whose personas they were and the date they went on it.
🔄 How sync works
After connecting, your app and your partner’s app stay in sync automatically — but only when both devices have the app open and an internet connection at the same time.
You add or edit a persona
The change is encrypted on your device and sent to Supabase (the relay service). The next time your partner opens the app with internet access, the change downloads to their device and their Profiles screen updates automatically.
A match is spun
The result is written as a shared record. Both partners always see the same match — the same personas. If one partner spins while the other is offline, the result syncs when they next open the app.
One partner is offline
Changes are queued and delivered the next time both devices are online. Nothing is lost — changes are stored until they can be delivered. This is not instant like a messaging app. Think of it as email: reliable, not instantaneous.
What the relay server sees
All data is encrypted on your device before it leaves. The relay server (Supabase) sees only your pair ID — a random string with no names attached — and an encrypted blob it cannot read. Your names, personas, and date history are never readable by anyone except the two of you.
🔌 Disconnecting from your partner
Disconnecting removes your partner’s data from your device and ends the sync relationship. Your own personas are not affected.
How to disconnect
Go to Settings (the gear icon in the bottom nav) → Partner connection → tap “Disconnect from [name].” A confirmation screen appears first. You can also disconnect from the Connect screen directly.
What happens on your partner’s device
Your partner’s app receives a disconnect notification and shows that the connection has ended. Their own personas remain on their device.
Reconnecting
Generate a new invite link in the Connect screen and share it again. The new connection starts fresh — sync history does not carry over.
Disconnecting is immediate
There is no undo. Once confirmed, your partner’s data is gone from your device. Export a backup first if you want to preserve anything.
🔒 Your data and privacy
Your data lives on your device
Personas, history, and settings are stored in your browser’s local storage. Nothing is uploaded to any server unless you have an active partner connection — and even then, only encrypted data is transmitted.
Your backup file is not encrypted
When you export a backup, the downloaded file is plain readable text (JSON). Anyone who has the file can read your personas. Store it somewhere private — iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or a password-protected location. Do not share it publicly.
No accounts, no tracking, no ads
There is no sign-up, no email required, no password, and no user profile on any server. The app does not track usage, does not serve ads, and does not share data with third parties.
No account means no account recovery
There is no “forgot password” because there is no account. If you clear your browser storage or get a new phone without exporting a backup, your data is gone permanently. Export backups regularly.
💾 Backing up your data
The Export Backup feature in Settings is your only safety net. Use it every time you create or edit a persona.
Open Settings
Tap the gear icon ⚙️ in the bottom navigation bar.
Tap “Export backup”
A file called other-you-backup-YYYY-MM-DD.json downloads to your device. On iPhone it goes to Downloads in the Files app. On Android it goes to your Downloads folder.
Move it somewhere safe
On iPhone: open the Files app, find the file in Downloads, and move it to iCloud Drive. On Android: move it to Google Drive. Do not leave it only in Downloads — that folder is often cleared automatically. Remember: this file is readable, so keep it private.
To restore: tap “Import backup”
In Settings, tap Import backup and choose your file. The app shows a preview of what’s in it and asks you to confirm before replacing anything. Your personas are restored instantly.
Using the app on a second device
Export on Device A, open the backup file on Device B from iCloud Drive or Google Drive, then import it in the app on Device B. Export a fresh backup any time you make changes — manual export is the only way to keep two personal devices in sync.
📱 Device and browser requirements
iPhone & iPad
Safari required for installation
iOS 16.4 or later recommended. Safari is the only browser on iPhone that can install PWAs. The app runs in Chrome and Firefox on iPhone but cannot be added to your home screen from those browsers.
Android
Chrome recommended
Chrome on Android supports full PWA installation and shows an automatic install prompt. Most Android phones running Android 8 or later will work. Firefox on Android works but may not prompt for installation automatically.
Desktop
Any modern browser
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari on Mac or Windows. Chrome and Edge support desktop installation. The app is designed for mobile — on a large screen it displays centred. Fully functional either way.
Offline use
Partial — your data is always available
After the app is installed, your own personas and the most recent match are available with no internet connection. Syncing with your partner requires both devices to be online. You can create and edit personas offline — they sync when you reconnect.
💬 Common questions
I got a new phone. What do I do?
Before switching: export a backup on your old phone and save it to iCloud Drive or Google Drive. On your new phone: install the app, go to Settings → Import backup, and choose your file. Then go to the Connect screen and ask your partner to generate a new invite — tap it to re-establish the connection.
My partner’s persona isn’t showing up
Make sure both of you have the app open and are connected to the internet at the same time. Try closing and reopening the app. If it still doesn’t appear, your partner can export their data and share the backup file with you to import manually as a fallback.
Does it work on a plane or without WiFi?
Yes — your personas and the most recent match are available offline once the app is installed. You can create and edit personas offline too. Sync with your partner resumes when you’re back online.
I sent the invite to the wrong person
Cancel it immediately in the Connect screen before the wrong person opens it. Once cancelled, the link is invalid. Generate a new one. If the wrong person already opened it, disconnect in Connect, clear all data in Settings, and start fresh — your partner will need to do the same.
What happens if we break up?
Go to Settings → Partner connection → Disconnect. Your partner’s data is removed from your device. Your own personas stay. Your partner sees that the connection ended the next time they open the app.
Do we both have to spin at the same time?
No. Either partner can spin a match. The result syncs to the other device automatically. You don’t need to be using the app simultaneously.
What does the lock button do on the Date screen?
Each persona slot has a lock button (🔓/🔒). Tap it to lock that persona in place. When you spin again, locked slots stay fixed — only the unlocked slot re-rolls. Use it to keep a persona you like while trying different combinations.
Still have questions?
Just ask.
The contact page is open for anything — questions, feature ideas, or bug reports.