MAC TIME TRACE / HELP & SUPPORT

Support

Help with daily recording, historical log checks and membership.

Contact the developer

Include the Mac Time Trace version, macOS version, steps taken and error message. You may attach redacted screenshots. Do not send your Mac login password, Apple Account password, payment credentials or unrelated private information. There is no need to send complete system logs unsolicited.

Start recording

  1. On first launch, read the recording-scope explanation and choose the option to acknowledge it and start recording.
  2. Use WeChat, your browser and other apps as usual, then return to Usage Overview or App Timeline.
  3. Query by day or choose a custom range of up to 31 days per query. System events and gaps remain visible when filtering for WeChat.
  4. Choose Pause Recording to stop temporarily. The app may keep running in the menu bar after the window closes. To stop it completely, choose Quit from the app menu or menu bar.

Check logs from before installation

  1. Open Historical Log Check and select a start and end time. Start with a few hours; a single check supports up to 7 days.
  2. You can try checking local logs. An error such as OSLogErrorDomain 10 means the logs could not be read; it does not prove there are no records. A subscription does not remove system access restrictions.
  3. Open the in-app Export Guide, copy the command generated for your selected period, and run it yourself in Terminal on that Mac.
  4. After a successful export, an NDJSON file whose name begins with MacHistory appears on the Desktop. If Terminal reports an error, resolve the export problem first; a failed export is not an empty record set.
  5. Return to the app, choose Import Exported File and select the new file. Run the free log-availability check. If recognizable indicators are found, an active monthly subscription unlocks detailed analysis and reports.

Supported inputs include NDJSON, compatible JSON arrays, pmset power-log text with explicit time zones, and compatible logarchive archives. Archive reading may depend on system version or format; use NDJSON if it fails. File provenance and authenticity are not automatically verified. Process files from different devices separately.

Frequently asked questions

Can this prove that someone read my WeChat messages?

No. Foreground records and logs are activity indicators. They cannot identify which message was read, establish that someone was present or identify the operator. Consider other information and do not treat a single indicator as a definitive conclusion.

Why are records missing for a day? Can they be recovered?

Daily recording starts only after you agree to enable it. Quitting, pausing, shutdowns and missing system notifications may leave gaps. Historical checks can only attempt to process logs that remain accessible; rotated or deleted content cannot be restored. Finding no indicators does not rule out activity.

Why do durations differ from my actual use?

Statistics measure observed foreground time. Time may continue to count if you leave without locking the screen. Settings can pause after 1 or 5 minutes without keyboard or mouse input, but watching video or reading may also trigger that rule. Locking, sleep, clock changes and sampling delays affect results. Displaying seconds does not establish a person's actions second by second.

What is included in the first 24 hours?

For 24 consecutive hours from when recording first starts, you can view the daily overview, app timeline and away reviews, and export reports. This is not based on calendar days. Checking historical logs for indicators is free; detailed historical analysis requires an active monthly subscription and is not included in the trial. The trial does not charge automatically.

Does recording continue after my subscription expires?

If recording is enabled and the app is running, it continues to save local records. Viewing history, reviews and exports in the app requires a renewed subscription. Expiry does not automatically delete records; you can pause or quit at any time. Apple’s confirmation screen governs subscription purchases and renewals.

How do I restore purchases or cancel renewal?

Use Restore Purchases in Subscription & Purchases with the Apple Account that holds the subscription. Apple may ask you to sign in. To cancel automatic renewal, open Apple subscription management. Access normally continues until the paid period ends. Apple reviews refund requests; apply through Apple Report a Problem.

Why is the price missing or purchasing unavailable?

The product must be available in the relevant store, and Apple must return its current price. A local test build does not mean live purchases are enabled. Check the released app version, network connection and Apple store account status, then contact the developer with the error. Do not send login passwords or complete payment details.

How do I export a PDF?

For daily records, select the period and apps, then export HTML. Historical analysis has its own report-export option. Open the HTML in a browser, choose Print and save as PDF in the system dialog. The relevant viewing or membership access is required before exporting.

Where are records stored, and how do I back up or delete them?

Open the local data directory from Settings & Privacy. Pause recording before copying the complete Records folder as a backup. To clear data, quit the app and delete only files you have confirmed are no longer needed. Manage exported reports, backups and original logs at their respective locations. Do not modify data files while recording is running. Uninstalling the app does not guarantee removal of containers or external copies.

Does it need Screen Recording, Accessibility or Keychain access?

Current daily recording does not capture content using Screen Recording, Accessibility, screenshots or keystroke monitoring, and does not store trial state in Keychain. Apple may still display account or system verification dialogs for purchases, restoration or signing-related operations.

Requires macOS 13 or later. Page updated October 21, 2026. This website does not accept log uploads.