A while back I posted about recommendations for privacy focused apps for medication tracking on iOS and it didn't seem like the community had any solid apps to vouch for. So, after spending some time scrolling the App Store and reading lots of privacy policies, here are some of my recommendations.

I will admit, it was not easy finding free, entirely local, and analytic free apps like MedTimer. So, I will warn you that some apps may collect anonymous crash logs or are paid. I will use *ACL for apps that collect anonymous crash reports, *$ for paid apps, and *$∞ if they offer a subscription. Also keep in mind that I round each price to the nearest dollar.

These are also in no particular order btw.

1. Pillbug.app *ACL, Freemium
   This is an app that uses a Pillbug as your cute little medication accountability mascot. It has paid features for customizing the app theme and how your Pillbug looks but it's completely free otherwise.

Features:
*Persistent medication reminders
*Widgets
*Scan to log feature
*Medication sharing

Privacy Policy: https://pillbugapp.com/privacy-policy/index.html

1. Pilik *$ *May require iOS 26 or later

   This is probably the only app I've found that's fully privacy focused; completely offline, no crash reporting, and only uses minimal permissions. However, it is paid but it's only a one time fee of $7USD. You can use the app for free with only one medication to track.

Features:
*Critical alerts-get notified for your medication even if your phone is on silent or DND
*Apple watch support
*Family sharing via iCloud

Privacy Policy: https://pilitracker.github.io/privacy-policy/?lang=en

1. [DoseKeeper ] (https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/medicine-tracker-dosekeeper/id6474628157) *$∞ *Requires iOS 26 or later
   This app is very similar to the app I listed above but its UI is more sleek and modern. It also uses your devices AI for certain features which is why it requires iOS 26 or later.

Just like Pilik you are able to use the app for free with limited features. However, this app is subscription based with prices listed at $1 USD a month, $4 USD every three months or $13 USD a year.

Features:
*Use your phones camera or gallery to scan medication labels and autofill its name, dose, and type (this is the features that requires AI)

*Log several medications at once

*You are able to define how long to wait after taking medication.

*Export your medication logs as a PDF

Privacy Policy: https://www.dosekeeper.com/privacy

Thanks for reading. ^_^

The community probably didn't have any apps, solid or otherwise, to vouch for because medication tracking is built into iOS.

If you trust the privacy policy third-party paid apps offer, you should trust the one from Apple at least as much. Information is stored securely on the phone and never leaves it (except when it's shared with the Apple Watch, or with providers you choose — note that only like a dozen or so providers actually support this, so I'm not sure what the criteria is since you'd figure most doctors would love to have that data).

Might be late, but I recently watched a video where the guy (maybe Hank Green?) said he found a company that sells physical bottle cap replacements that track the usage. Seems like this would be ideal and isn’t something I had considered in the past.

If you’re too prodromal to do what @cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com said, just use the built in timer program to remind you when to take your shit every day.