What does it mean when data stays on your device?
When records stay on the device, the portfolio is not centered around a remote account. That improves control, but it also creates real limits.
March 3, 2026
Local data means the portfolio lives on the phone first
In a local-first model, the main financial records are stored directly in the device's local storage. For the user, that means the portfolio can work without depending on a central account system for its core records.
It strengthens privacy, but it is not the same as zero data transfer
A local-first architecture is an important trust signal because the portfolio itself is not centered in a remote account. Even so, limited anonymous analytics or crash flows may still exist. That is why 'nothing ever leaves the device' is too absolute to be accurate.
A local model also moves backup risk closer to the user
Without an active cloud copy, resetting a phone, changing devices, or removing the app can lead to data loss. Local-first should be understood as a privacy-first choice with practical tradeoffs, not as a benefit with no limits.