Browser Data & Privacy FAQ

10 min read

Understanding how QuoteCreator stores your data and what happens when you clear your browsing history.

How QuoteCreator Stores Data

Privacy-First Approach

QuoteCreator is designed for complete privacy:

• All data stored locally in your browser
• No cloud storage
• No account or login required
• We don't see your estimates or client information
• Works offline after first load

Where Your Data Lives

Your Browser Stores Information

QuoteCreator uses your browser's storage to save information:

What's Stored:

• All your estimates (client names, line items, totals)
• Customer database
• App settings (tax rate, business name, etc.)
• License key
• Estimate counters (for numbering)

Think of it as: A small database inside your browser

Location: These are stored in your browser's data folder on your computer (similar to website cookies and saved passwords).

What Happens When You Clear Browser Data

Different Types of "Clearing"

Browsers offer different levels of "clearing":

1. Clear Cache Only

What's deleted: Downloaded website files (images, CSS, JavaScript)

What survives: Your estimates, Your license, Your settings

2. Clear Cookies Only

What's deleted: Website cookies (login sessions, preferences)

What may be deleted: License key (in some browsers)

3. Clear All Browsing Data

What's deleted: Cache, cookies, browser storage - EVERYTHING

Recovery Scenarios

Scenario 1: Accidentally Cleared All Data

What you lost:

• All estimates
• License key
• Settings and preferences
• Customer database

What you can recover:

License Key - From email or encrypted backup

• Check email for "Your QuoteCreator License"
• Or restore your backup file
• Re-enter in Settings → License section

Your PDF Estimates - From sent emails or downloads

• Your PDFs still exist in sent emails, texts, or downloads
• You can reference them, but can't edit or recreate in app
• Your PDF estimates are always safe

Estimates in the App - Cannot be recovered unless you made a data backup

• QuoteCreator doesn't have copies (privacy-first)
• Estimates exist only as PDFs

Scenario 2: Browser Incognito/Private Mode

What happens:

• QuoteCreator works normally while window is open
• When you close the incognito window, ALL data is deleted

Impact:

• License disappears
• Estimates created in incognito are lost
• Must re-enter license each session

Scenario 3: Switched Browsers

Example: Used QuoteCreator in Chrome, now opening in Firefox

What happens:

• Firefox is a different browser = different storage
• None of your Chrome data is visible
• It's like starting fresh

Solution:

1. In Chrome: Create a backup (Settings → Backup & Restore → Create a Backup)
2. Transfer the .qclic file
3. In Firefox: Restore from backup
4. Your license works in Firefox!

Note: Estimates don't transfer between browsers. Each browser has its own estimates.

Scenario 4: Corporate IT Auto-Clear Policy

What happens: Some workplaces have IT policies that auto-clear browser data nightly, weekly, or on logout.

Impact: QuoteCreator data gets wiped regularly

Solutions:

Option 1: Export/Import Routine

• Create a backup at end of each day
• Restore at start of next day
• Takes 30 seconds

Option 2: Use Personal Device

• Use QuoteCreator on personal computer/tablet
• No IT policies to worry about

Option 3: Keep License Email Handy

• Bookmark the license email
• Quick re-entry each day (5 seconds)
• Estimate counters won't sync, but license works

Protecting Your Data

Before Clearing Browser Data

If you know you're about to clear data (computer maintenance, troubleshooting, etc.):

Step 1: Create a Backup

1. Go to Settings → Backup & Restore
2. Click "Create a Backup"
3. Save the .qclic file to cloud storage or email it to yourself

Step 2: (Optional) Export Your Estimates as PDFs

1. Go to Estimates list
2. Open each estimate
3. Click "Export as PDF"
4. Save PDFs to a safe location

Why: Even though estimates are deleted from the app, PDFs let you reference them

After Clearing Browser Data

Step 1: Restore Your License

1. Go to Settings → Backup & Restore
2. Click "Restore from Backup"
3. Select your .qclic file
4. Enter password
5. License restored!

Understanding "Your PDFs Are the Source of Truth"

What We Mean

When you create an estimate:

1. You fill out the form in QuoteCreator
2. You export it as a PDF
3. You send that PDF to your client (email/text)

The data in the app is for editing:

• The app is a tool to create/edit estimates
• But the PDF is the final product
• Even if app data is lost, your PDFs still exist

This Is Intentional

Why not sync to cloud?

• Privacy: Your client data stays 100% private
• Cost: No monthly fees for you
• Control: You own your data, we don't

Trade-off:

• You manage backups (license export)
• If you clear data, estimates are gone from app (but PDFs remain)

Best Practice

After creating an estimate:

1. Export as PDF
2. Send to client (email/text)
3. Save PDF in your filing system (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)

Now you have:

• PDF in sent email (permanent record)
• PDF in your filing system (backup)
• Copy in QuoteCreator app (for editing if needed)

If app data is lost: You still have PDFs as reference.

Common Questions

Q: Will my estimates disappear if I clear my cache?
A: Depends on what you clear.

• Cache only (website files): Estimates stay
• Cookies only: Estimates stay (license may disappear)
• All browsing data: Estimates deleted

Safe option: Only clear "cache" - not cookies or site data.

Q: Can I recover deleted estimates?
A: Only if you created a backup before clearing.

Recovery options:

• PDFs you sent to clients still exist
• Saved PDFs in your downloads/cloud storage
• Estimates in the app (only if you made a data backup)

Q: Why don't you sync to the cloud?
A: Privacy and cost.

Privacy: Your estimates contain client names, project details, pricing. Storing in the cloud means data breach risk and compliance requirements.

Cost: Cloud storage costs money, which means we'd need to charge monthly fees.

Our approach: Your data, your device, your control. One-time $12.99 payment, forever.

Q: What if my computer crashes?
A: QuoteCreator data is lost with the hard drive.

Recovery:

• License key (from email)
• PDFs (from sent emails, cloud storage)
• Estimates in the app (only from backups)

Q: Can I use QuoteCreator on multiple devices?
A: Yes, but estimates don't auto-sync.

How it works:

• Create a backup from Device A
• Restore on Device B
• Both devices have active license
• But estimates on Device A stay on Device A

Best practice: Pick one primary device for QuoteCreator.

Browser-Specific Guidance

Google Chrome

To clear cache safely:

1. Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data
2. Only check: "Cached images and files"
3. Uncheck: "Cookies and other site data"
4. Click "Clear data"

QuoteCreator impact: None - Estimates and license stay

Mozilla Firefox

To clear cache safely:

1. Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data
2. Only check: "Cached Web Content"
3. Uncheck: "Cookies and Site Data"
4. Click "Clear"

QuoteCreator impact: None - Estimates and license stay

Safari

To clear cache safely:

1. Safari → Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
2. Remove other websites, keep quotecreator.lexopoly.com
3. Click "Done"

QuoteCreator impact: None - Estimates and license stay

Data Safety Checklist

Do This:

• Create a backup right after purchasing
• Save .qclic file to cloud storage
• Keep license email in safe folder
• Export estimates as PDFs regularly
• Only clear "cache" (not cookies or site data)
• Use regular browsing mode (not incognito)

Avoid This:

• Clearing "Cookies and site data" without backing up first
• Using incognito mode for regular work
• Deleting license email
• Assuming estimates sync to cloud (they don't)

If You Lose Data:

1. Restore license: Use .qclic file or email key
2. Reference PDFs: Check sent emails for PDF copies
3. Contact support: We can help recover license from purchase records