FAQ
Frequently asked questions
IdeaM is purpose-built for research synthesis and content creation. Unlike general note-taking apps, we focus on importing multiple sources (YouTube, PDFs, audio) and using AI to synthesize them into structured outlines. Our multi-source analysis and speaker diarization features are unique to IdeaM.
The app runs on Mac (Apple Silicon and Intel), iPhone, iPad, and any modern web browser — so Windows and Linux work too, right in the browser. Cloud AI works on every platform (bring your own API key for free, or upgrade to Pro) with nothing to install. Free on-device AI — private AI that runs entirely on your Mac at no cost — is Mac only: it needs the free Ollama app and 8 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended for larger models), and is not available on iPhone, iPad, or in the browser. Your outlines are plain files on your own device that you can back up or sync via iCloud, Dropbox, or any service you trust.
Yes! IdeaM supports importing from Markdown, OPML, plain text, and JSON formats. You can also import content from PDFs, Word documents, web pages, and even YouTube videos with automatic transcription.
Absolutely. IdeaM uses a local-first architecture—your outlines are stored on your device by default. When you use AI features, your content is sent securely to process but is never used to train AI models. We never sell your data.
We integrate with Google Gemini, OpenAI GPT-4, and Anthropic Claude. You can choose your preferred model, or let the system auto-select based on the task. Premium tiers unlock access to the most powerful models like Claude Opus.
Yes! All core outlining features work completely offline. Your outlines are stored locally and sync when you reconnect. AI features require an internet connection, but you can continue editing without it.
IdeaM offers 23 export formats: PDF, Markdown, HTML (collapsible website), Word, LaTeX, EPUB, Plain Text, OPML, Obsidian (with wiki-links), Notion, CSV, JSON Tree, and more. Your data is never locked in.
Keep your work safe — back it up
Your work lives on your own device, and keeping it safe is ultimately your responsibility. Store your IdeaM files in a location that's automatically backed up. The method is your choice — iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, a Time Machine disk, or any backup you trust. IdeaM keeps automatic local snapshots as a safety net, but they are not a substitute for your own off-device backup.
Using the free web version in a browser? Your work is saved inside that browser, on that device — and it can be lost if you clear your browser data, use private/incognito mode, or switch browsers. Export your outlines regularly and keep the copies in a backed-up location.
- Keep more than one copy — the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, on 2 kinds of storage, 1 kept off-site.
- Use a backup that keeps version history (Time Machine, iCloud, Dropbox) so you can roll back a bad change or a corrupted file.
- Export important outlines before any big reorganization or deletion — an extra copy costs nothing.
- Occasionally test that you can actually restore a file — an untested backup isn’t a backup.
- Protect the device itself: turn on disk encryption (FileVault on Mac) and a passcode/login.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for your cloud/backup account so the backup itself stays secure.