The basics
What is Howdy Mate!?
A free iPhone app that helps you stay in touch with the people who matter. You choose how often you’d like to catch up with each person, Howdy Mate! nudges you when someone is due, and you log a catch-up with one tap.
Is it really free?
Yes. Every feature is included and you can add as many mates as you like. There are no subscriptions, no in-app purchases and no ads.
Do my friends need the app too?
No. Howdy Mate! is just for you. Nobody is added, notified or messaged — it only keeps track of your own catch-ups.
Is there an Android version?
No. Howdy Mate! is made for iPhone. It will also run on an iPad as an iPhone app, but it isn’t laid out for the bigger screen.
Do I need an account or an internet connection?
Neither. There is no sign-up, and the app works entirely offline.
Rhythms and reminders
How does Howdy Mate! know who’s due?
You pick a rhythm for each mate — every week, two weeks, month, two, three or six months, a year, or a custom schedule such as certain weekdays or a set day of the month. Once that long has passed since your last catch-up, they appear under “Needs you” on the Today screen.
What do “In touch”, “Drifting” and “Been a while” mean?
A mate is “In touch” until their rhythm comes round, “Drifting” for up to three rhythms after that, and “Been a while” beyond it. We never call a friend overdue — a friendship isn’t a bill.
Will it nag me?
No. You get a gentle reminder when someone is due, and the wording is kind on purpose. You can turn notifications off in your iPhone’s Settings whenever you like.
What counts as a check-in?
Any kind of catch-up: a text, a call, a video call, social media, seeing each other in person, an email or anything else. You can add a note and how long it lasted, and log one mate or several at once.
Privacy and your data
Where is my data stored?
On your iPhone, in the app’s own database. There is no account and no server holding your mates, check-ins, notes or photos. The app sends anonymous crash reports and usage counts so we can keep it working — never your content.
Why would the app ask for access to my Contacts?
Only if you tap “Find people in my contacts” while adding mates. It brings in names, birthdays and photos, and none of it leaves your phone. You can always type names in instead.
Can I back up my data or move it to a new phone?
You can export everything as CSV or JSON from Settings › Data › Export Data. There is no sync or import yet, so a new phone starts fresh.
How do I delete my data?
Settings › Data › Reset All Data removes everything; swiping left on a mate deletes just them. Deleting the app also removes all of its data for good.
Go on, say howdy.
Free on the App Store for iPhone. No account, no subscription, no catch.
On a computer? Point your iPhone’s camera here.