Forge v1.6: We Ditched Google Sign-In

With v1.6, we're removing Google Sign-In from Forge. If you're using Google to sign in, nothing changes on your end — your account works exactly the same way. But under the hood, we're simplifying the entire authentication system to use Apple Sign-In exclusively.

This sounds like we're making fewer options available. In reality, we're doing the opposite. We're removing friction and making the sign-in experience faster, simpler, and more private.

Here's the math: Google Sign-In adds complexity. You get an extra OAuth flow, an extra package we have to maintain, extra surface area for bugs and security issues. More dependencies, more moving parts, more to go wrong. For a journaling app where your thoughts and patterns are the crown jewels, more complicated means more exposure.

Apple Sign-In is the better default for Forge. It's built into iOS. It doesn't track you across apps like Google does. You sign in with your face or your fingerprint in one tap. No extra screens, no typing passwords, no third-party cookie trails. If you're already using an iPhone, you're already set up. We just removed the reason to think about authentication at all.

If you were using Google Sign-In, your existing account keeps working without any action from you. Just sign in with Apple instead next time — we'll recognize it's you. But honestly, you probably won't notice anything changed except that sign-in is now faster.

We're also pushing v1.6 to the App Store with new metadata and What's New information that tells the story of Forge more clearly. Same app, better presentation.

This is what simplification actually looks like: fewer options, better experience, less to worry about. We removed something to make everything else better.