FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the horizon estimate real? Will I actually live that long?

No one knows that — including us, and we say so on every screen. The estimate is a statistical illustration built from public life-table data and population-level research on lifestyle factors. That's why it always comes as a range (the misty zone on your map), never a date. Treat it as perspective, not prophecy.

How is the estimate calculated?

Four layers: (1) a baseline from your country's life tables by sex — averaged if you choose non-binary or prefer not to say; (2) a conditional-survival adjustment, because having already reached your age statistically adds years over the at-birth figure; (3) lifestyle factors (smoking, movement, sleep, diet, alcohol, stress, social ties, sense of purpose) using modest midpoints from published research, tapered by age; (4) an uncertainty band that widens with every question you skip. Multiple negatives are damped rather than added linearly, because overlapping risks don't stack that way.

Why does my route grow only 25% when I start a habit?

Honesty and fairness. Declaring a change is a beginning, not a result — so a new positive transition applies a quarter of its effect immediately, and the rest unlocks when your 28-day check-in streak confirms it stuck. (Negative changes apply in full immediately; we won't sugar-coat.)

What happens if I miss check-in days?

Nothing bad. You get one rest pass a month that protects your streak automatically, and if you're away longer, you come back to a welcome — never a guilt trip. Rest is part of travel.

Is my health data sent anywhere?

Your core profile stays on your device (browser storage). Map and routing requests go to third-party services as coordinates, never with your survey answers attached. If the AI coach proxy is configured, your coach message and a derived route snapshot are sent through a serverless function to Anthropic; the app falls back to offline mode if that proxy is unavailable. If you use Feedback, your message, optional reply email, language, route label, app version, user agent, and IP address are sent by email through the configured server endpoint. You can export all your data as JSON or permanently delete it in Settings. See the Privacy Policy for the full picture.

How can I send feedback?

Use the Feedback tab in the app for bugs, confusing screens, feature ideas, translation fixes, and mobile design notes. Production deployments can route those messages through Resend to the site owner; if that endpoint is unavailable, MileMori opens your email app instead.

What is the AI coach, and do I need it?

The Coach tab is a companion that knows your route, stops, and levers. It works out of the box in offline mode (rule-based). On production deployments with the AI proxy configured, it can use Claude through MileMori's serverless API; no provider API key is stored in your browser. It's optional and never required.

Can the coach give me medical advice?

No, and it's built to refuse. For symptoms, medication, or diagnosis, it will point you to a professional. MileMori is a motivation tool, not a medical device.

What are suggested stops?

Suggested stops are editorial picks tuned to your age band, country, interests, and avoidances. They are not presented as user behavior unless they come from the optional anonymous community stats screen, where aggregate lists appear only after enough travelers share the same entry.

Can I add things that already happened?

Yes. The Stops tab also has a life timeline: add past moments like graduation, marriage, a first home, losing someone close, or a hard season. You can mark the memory weight, and past moments, current-period stops, and future stops use different colors on the map. Once you add enough good or hard moments, MileMori estimates their average rhythm and groups them into life chapters.

What are future letters and year reviews?

Future letters are private notes stored on your device until the age you choose. The Profile tab also has a year review that summarizes check-ins, quests, completed stops, and dated life moments for the current year.

Are there paid limits?

No paid limits are active at launch. Unlimited stops, route history, share cards, the coach, badges, and weekly letters are included.

What's the difference between out-and-back and one-way?

Out-and-back mirrors the arc of a life: you travel out to the farthest point (half of your horizon), then return home — death as a homecoming. One-way is a single road from birth to the horizon. Same math, different poetry. Pick the one that fits how you see it.

I entered a wrong answer. Can I fix it?

Anytime: Profile → "Update my survey answers." The route recalculates instantly, and big changes animate gradually rather than jolting.

Why is MileMori 18+?

The app estimates lifespans and collects sensitive lifestyle information. Both are adult territory; the age gate is the first question.

I'm going through something heavy. Is this app for me right now?

Maybe not today, and that's okay. Sensitivity mode softens the language and hides the horizon numbers, and you can pause everything. If you're struggling, the most important stop is talking to someone — a person you trust or a professional. The road can wait.