Frequently Asked Questions

Forktale is an iOS app where parents read AI-generated interactive stories to kids ages 3-10. Unlike traditional storybooks, children make choices that shape the story's path, creating a unique adventure every time. Think of it as "choose your own adventure" meets bedtime stories, powered by AI.

Yes! The free tier includes 6 complete stories to get started with no credit card required. There are no hidden fees, no trials that auto-convert, and no ads. The free tier is genuinely free forever. If you want unlimited stories, you can upgrade to Premium for $4.99/month.

Forktale requires iOS 17 or later. It works on iPhone and iPad. We don't currently support Android, but we're considering it for the future based on demand.

Forktale is designed for parents to read to children, not as a solo screen-time app. The interactive choice mechanic works best when you're reading together and discussing which path to take. That said, older children (8-10) who can read independently may enjoy using it on their own.

Stories are crafted using advanced AI with strict moderation before and after creation. Each story features beautiful illustrations and is tailored to different age bands and character-building themes.

Yes. Stories adapt to 4 age bands: Preschool (3-5), Early Reader (5-7), Middle Reader (7-9), and Advanced Reader (9-10). Vocabulary, themes, and complexity scale appropriately. We also have strict content moderation that blocks scary words, violence, death, weapons, and other inappropriate content.

Absolutely! All stories are saved in your library and can be re-read offline as many times as you want.

Scout is Forktale's friendly fox mascot who guides children through stories. At the end of each chapter, Scout asks "Which way should we go?" and presents 2-3 choices. Scout helps children feel empowered to shape the story while providing a consistent, friendly presence.

We're always adding fresh stories to the library, so there's always something new to discover. With multiple themes, age bands, and the branching choice mechanic, each reading creates a unique path through the adventure.

Yes! Premium subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID settings. You can cancel with one tap, no questions asked. If you cancel, you'll keep access to all your stories and can re-read them anytime.

Upgrade to Premium for unlimited stories. You can still re-read any of your stories as many times as you want.

The 6 free stories IS the trial. We don't offer a separate Premium trial because the free tier is so generous. Try Forktale risk-free with no credit card required, then upgrade if your family loves it.

Each story costs us real money (AI API fees, illustration generation, hosting, content moderation). We keep the free tier generous (6 free stories) so families can try before subscribing. Premium unlocks unlimited fresh stories for less than a single picture book ($4.99/month vs. $15-20 per book).

Subscriptions are processed through Apple's App Store. Refund requests should be submitted through Apple's support system. We recommend trying the free tier thoroughly before upgrading to ensure Forktale is right for your family.

Yes. Forktale is COPPA-compliant and designed with child safety as the top priority. We use multi-layered content moderation (before and after AI generation), collect minimal data, never show ads, and give parents full control over profiles and data. See our Safety & Privacy page for complete details.

Yes. You can permanently delete your child's profile and all associated data from the app settings. This action cannot be undone. Data is removed from our servers within 30 days. You must type "DELETE" to confirm, preventing accidental deletions.

No, never. We don't show ads to anyone, ever. Our business model is subscriptions, not attention. If we showed ads, we'd be incentivized to maximize screen time. Instead, we want quality bedtime stories that lead to sleep, not more scrolling.

COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) requires parental consent before collecting data from children under 13. We comply by requiring parents to authenticate with Apple Sign-In, collecting minimal data, giving parents full access and deletion rights, and never sharing data with third parties. See our Safety & Privacy page for complete details.

Partially. You need internet for new stories, but once a story is loaded, it works completely offline (including illustrations). This makes Forktale perfect for car rides, flights, and bedtime when connectivity isn't guaranteed.

Stories are synced to your Apple ID across all your devices. If you sign in on an iPad with the same Apple ID as your iPhone, you'll see the same library of stories. Stories don't transfer between different Apple IDs.

For support questions, check the app settings for a "Help & Support" link. You can also review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for detailed information about how the app works.