Frequently asked questions
Is the worm going to be mean to me?
A bit, and only in proportion. Lose a two-hour streak and it will roast you. Lose ninety days and it stops joking entirely — it will tell you that the streak was real, that one day doesn't undo it, and to start again tomorrow. That behaviour is deliberate and it applies at every tone setting, including Roast Mode.
You can also set the tone to Soft Worm in Settings at any time, which is warm and encouraging throughout.
I tapped "I caved" by accident. Is my streak gone?
No. Every slip is reversible for 45 seconds — an "Undo" bar appears on the home screen straight after, and the relapse screen itself has a "Wait, that was an accident" link. Undoing restores your original start time exactly, as if it never happened.
I quit before I downloaded the app. Can I backdate it?
Yes. During onboarding, tap "I already quit a while ago" and pick the real date and time. You can also change it later in the habit editor under "Clock started".
What does the money figure mean?
If you tell the app roughly what the habit cost you per day, it multiplies that by how long you've been clean. Same for the time figure and minutes per day. Both are optional — leave them blank and the readouts simply don't appear.
What do I get with Backbone?
The app is fully usable for free: one habit, the whole streak tracker, the worm and its commentary. Backbone adds unlimited habits, Roast Mode, all seven worm outfits, the complete history and trigger breakdown, custom reminder times, and CSV export.
It's available monthly, yearly (with a two-week free trial), or as a one-time lifetime purchase if you'd rather not subscribe.
How do I restore a purchase on a new phone?
Settings → Restore purchases, or the same link at the bottom of the paywall. Make sure you're signed in to the same Apple Account you bought it with.
How do I cancel a subscription?
iPhone Settings → your name → Subscriptions → Spineless?. Deleting the app does not cancel it. The lifetime purchase is not a subscription and has nothing to cancel.
Does my data sync between devices?
Not in this version. Everything is stored locally on your device and nowhere else — which is also why nobody, including us, can read it. Use Export to CSV if you want your own copy.
Does the app track me or show ads?
No, and no. There is no advertising SDK, no analytics, no account and no network connection. See the Privacy Policy.
Can I track more than one habit?
With Backbone, as many as you like — each with its own worm and colour. The free tier is deliberately one habit, partly as the paid line and partly because quitting one thing at a time genuinely works better.
Still stuck?
Email muddermister@gmail.com and describe what happened. If you write from the app (Settings → Email support) it fills in your app version and iOS version automatically, which usually saves a round trip.
A serious note
Spineless? is a motivational tracker with jokes in it. It is not a medical device and it is not treatment. If you're quitting something with real withdrawal risks — alcohol especially — or you're struggling with a dependency, please talk to a doctor or a local support service. The worm will wait.