Support
Hotaru Support
Quick answers to the most common questions. Can't find yours? Write to us — the person who answers is the person who builds the app.
Getting started
Do I need an account?
No. Hotaru works fully without one. Sign in with Apple is optional and only adds sync across your devices and shareable deck links.
How do I make my first deck?
Tap + and choose Create with AI (paste notes, scan a page, pick photos or a PDF), New Deck to write cards yourself, or Import Cards. You can also add a ready-made deck from Explore.
How often should I study?
A few minutes a day. Today shows what's due and how long it'll take; Hotaru schedules each card right before you'd forget it, so studying on the days something is due is enough.
Apple Intelligence
Create with AI says Apple Intelligence isn't available.
It needs an iPhone or iPad that supports Apple Intelligence, with it turned on in Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri, and a few minutes after turning it on to download. On other devices you can allow Hotaru Cloud AI (sign-in required) or write and import cards yourself.
The cards have a mistake.
Tap any card to edit it before adding, or later from the deck. Cards come only from your material, but AI can misread — give important cards a quick check.
Why do I have only one AI creation a week?
The free plan includes one Apple Intelligence creation in any 7 days; the screen shows when the next one frees up. Hotaru Pro makes them unlimited. Studying is never limited.
Studying
What do Again, Hard, Good and Easy do?
They tell the scheduler (FSRS) how well you remembered. Again brings the card back soon; Good is the normal answer; Easy spaces it further. Be honest — it makes the schedule fit you.
I missed some days. Is my progress lost?
No. Overdue cards simply wait for you, and the scheduler adapts. Streaks pause instead of shaming you.
Can I change how much I study?
Yes: Settings › Study sets your target recall and new cards per day; each deck can change its own new-card limit.
Sync and sharing
My decks don't appear on my iPad.
Sign in with Apple with the same Apple Account on both devices (Settings › Account), then tap Sync Now on each. Sync needs an internet connection.
How do I share a deck?
Open the deck › Share. Anyone with the link can see the cards and add a copy to their Hotaru; your progress is never shared. Stop sharing anytime from the same place.
How do I report a shared deck or block someone?
On the shared deck, tap ⋯ › Report Deck (or “Report this deck” on its web page). We review every report within 24 hours and remove decks that break the rules. Tap ⋯ › Block This Sharer to hide that person's decks on your device; unblock in Settings › Privacy.
Hotaru Pro and purchases
What does Hotaru Pro include?
Unlimited decks, unlimited Apple Intelligence creations, every Pro deck in Explore, full Insights and four more app icons. Glow decks open with Glow, which isn't part of Pro. The free plan never expires.
I paid but the app still shows the free plan.
Open Settings › Hotaru Pro › Restore Purchases, signed in with the same Apple Account you used to buy.
How do I cancel or get a refund?
Cancel in iPhone Settings › your name › Subscriptions (or Hotaru's Settings › Manage Subscription), at least 24 hours before renewal. Refunds are handled by Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.
What happens to my decks if I cancel?
Nothing — they stay yours and fully studyable. You just can't create more than 2 decks or more than one AI creation a week again.
Your data
How do I delete my account?
Settings › Delete Account. It removes your account, synced decks and shared links from our servers immediately, and asks whether to keep the cards on your device.
How do I export my cards?
Open a deck › Export to save it as CSV.
How do I turn off usage statistics?
Settings › Privacy › Share Anonymous Usage. They never include your cards or account, but you can switch them off anytime.