ackerHelp for collect. users. Plain language, no jargon.
What is collect.?
collect. is a calm, capable home for everything you own. Vinyl records, watches, trading cards, comics, diecast cars, IT equipment where every item gets one consistent place to live, with photos, the details that matter, and nothing you don't need.
There are no folders to maintain and no rigid system to fight. You add an item, say what it is, and collect. handles the rest.
Getting Started
Add your first item
- Tap the + add orb next to the search bar at the bottom of any screen.
- Give it a title and a creator: the maker, artist, brand, or manufacturer.
- Choose a category: what kind of thing it is. Pick from the built-in list or create your own.
- Fill in condition, release date, and which vault it belongs to (Personal or Business).
- Add photos (up to 5), tags, links (up to 3), an estimated value, and notes if you'd like.
- Save. Your item is now in your collection.
That's the whole flow. Everything else is optional polish.
The three ideas
collect. organizes everything around three clear ideas. Learn these once and the whole app makes sense.
| Idea | Answers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Views | How do I browse? | Collection, Favorites, Wishlist, Archive |
| Categories | What is this thing? | Vinyl, Watch, Server |
| Tags | What describes it? | Sealed, Signed, For Sale |
Each does one job. Nothing overlaps.
The Views
Views are always available and always mean the same thing. They don't store items separately and they're computed lenses on your collection.
- Collection: every active item you own, across both vaults.
- Favorites: items you've marked with the heart icon, for instant access.
- Personal / Business: your items split by vault.
- Wishlist: items you don't own yet. Research targets and future purchases.
- Archive: owned but inactive. Cold storage without deleting.
- Trash: items you've removed from active views. Recoverable until you empty it.
How To
How do I favorite an item?
Swipe right on any item in a list, or use the action menu on the item's detail screen. Favoriting keeps an item visible in the Favorites view. It doesn't move the item or change what it is — it's just a spotlight.
How do I edit, delete, or restore an item?
Open the item to see its detail screen, then tap Edit. To remove an item, swipe left on it in any list or use the action menu — this moves it to Trash, it does not delete it. From the Trash view you can restore an item back to where it was, or use Empty Trash (or Delete Forever on a single item) to permanently remove it.
How do I search my collection?
Use the search bar at the bottom of any list. Search looks across title, creator, notes, category, and condition, and filters results as you type.
How do I sort my items?
Every list offers four sort modes: Date Added (the default), Release Date, Title, and Creator. Pick whichever fits what you're looking for.
How do I add photos?
When adding or editing an item, tap the photo area to choose images from your library. You can add up to 5 photos per item, shown as a swipeable carousel on the detail screen.
How do I add tags?
Open an item for editing and use the tag field. Type a tag and press space or comma to add it as a chip — autocomplete suggests tags you've already used. An item can have as many tags as you like.
How do I add links to an item?
In Add or Edit, the Links section lets you attach up to 3 URLs per item — useful for store listings, price guides, or reference pages. They show as tappable links on the detail screen.
How do I track an item's value?
In Add or Edit, enter an amount and choose a currency (USD, CAD, GBP, or EUR). Item values roll up into your collection totals in Stats.
How do I move an item to my Wishlist or Archive?
Use the item's action menu to toggle Wishlist or Archive. The item moves into the matching view automatically. The same menu lets you move an item to Trash or restore it.
How do I create custom categories, conditions, or fields?
Open Settings > Data > Library to manage Categories, Conditions & Tags. You can create your own categories and conditions, and add custom fields (text, numbers, dates, checkboxes, or dropdowns) to any category.
How do I set up Face ID, Touch ID, or a keyphrase lock?
Open Settings > Security and choose a lock method: Face ID/Touch ID or a keyphrase. You can also set an auto-lock timer. Changing or turning off an existing lock requires you to authenticate first.
How do I import or export my collection?
Open Settings > Data > Import & Export. You can export to CSV or JSON (data only), or use Full Backup (.zip) to include your photos. Import accepts CSV or JSON files and flags duplicates before adding anything.
How do I switch between light and dark mode?
Open Settings > Appearance and choose Light, Dark, or System. System follows your device setting automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an account to use collect.?
No. collect. has no account and no login. You open the app and start cataloging.
Where is my data stored? Is it private?
Your catalog lives on your device and syncs through your own personal iCloud account, if enabled. The developer has no servers and never sees your data, because it never reaches them. collect. is private by design. You can also lock the app with Face ID, Touch ID, or a keyphrase for extra peace of mind.
Does collect. sync across my devices?
Yes, if iCloud Sync is enabled in Data settings. As long as your devices are signed into the same iCloud account, your collection — including photos — stays in sync across your iPhone and iPad automatically.
What can I catalog with collect.?
Anything. collect. ships with categories spanning two worlds: collectibles and personal items (vinyl, books, watches, cards, comics, diecast, sneakers, and more) and small-business or IT assets (computers, servers, networking gear, peripherals, and more) — and every category is fully customizable, so you can add your own.
What's the difference between a Category and a Tag?
A Category is what something is — each item has exactly one, chosen from the built-in list or your own custom categories. A Tag is what describes it — condition, provenance, location, intent — and you can apply as many as you like. Categories give structure; tags add detail.
What's the difference between Personal and Business?
Personal and Business are separate vaults for your items. Everyone gets a Personal vault; the Business vault is optional and can be turned on from onboarding or Settings if you want to track business or IT assets separately from your personal collection.
Can I use collect. for business inventory?
Yes. Turn on the Business vault to keep office equipment, devices, and other assets separate from your personal collection, with categories built for IT and business use.
Is collect. free?
See the App Store listing for current pricing and availability.
How do I get help or report a problem?
Reach out at support@acker.cloud, or use Contact Support in the app. See Contact & Support below for what to include.
Known Limitations
- iCloud sync requires both devices to be signed into the same Apple ID. Changes may take a moment to propagate.
- Swiping to delete or moving an item to Trash is not permanent. Items in Trash can be restored at any time. Only Empty Trash (or Delete Forever on a single item) permanently removes an item.
- Photos (up to 5 per item) are stored in your catalog locally and in iCloud. They are not compressed or resized by the app. CSV and JSON export include data only; use Full Backup (.zip) in Data settings to export photos along with your data.
Contact & Support
For issues not covered above, or to report a bug, reach out at support@acker.cloud
Include:
- A short description of the issue
- What you expected to happen vs. what actually happened
- Your iOS version and device (e.g. iPhone 15, iOS 17.4)
- Whether the issue is reproducible or happened once
Feedback genuinely shapes where collect. goes next.
A Note on Philosophy
collect. is intentionally quiet. Views are behavioral, categories are structural, tags are descriptive, and favoriting is just attention. The system stays out of your way while remaining powerful enough to grow with you.
If you're ever unsure where something belongs: Do you own it? Is it personal or business? Do you need to see it right now? What kind of thing is it? What describes it? Answer those, and the system works.