if I were dead

I created If I Were Dead to give people a safe and private space to record the words they may not have had the chance to say, the things they still want to do, and important personal arrangements.

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Inspiration

Accidents and separation are often impossible to predict. Many people lose the chance to express their gratitude, love, or regrets before it is too late. “If I Were Dead” was created as a safe and private space where people can leave messages, wishes, and important arrangements in advance. It is not meant to create fear, but to remind us to value the present and the people around us.

What it does

Users can write private letters, save wishes, add guardians, receive messages, and record important plans. The app also supports account synchronization, friend connections, notifications, and memberships. Sensitive letters are protected with end-to-end encryption.

How we built it

We built the iOS app with Swift and SwiftUI. PocketBase handles authentication, data synchronization, friendships, guardians, notifications, and membership services. Subscriptions use Apple StoreKit, while push notifications are delivered through Apple Push Notification service.

Challenges we ran into

Our biggest challenge was discussing accidents, death, and separation in a calm and respectful way without making the experience feel frightening or overwhelming. We also needed to protect private letters, deliver notifications reliably, and make encrypted data accessible across devices.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We created a complete iOS app that brings letters, wishes, guardians, received messages, notifications, and important arrangements together in one private space. It gives users a thoughtful way to organize what they want to say and what they want to leave behind.

What we learned

We learned that a product about death and separation cannot focus only on functionality. Wording, interaction flow, privacy, and emotional comfort are equally important. A good product should make people feel safe, not pressured.

What's next for if I were dead

We plan to improve the writing and reading experience, strengthen cross-device encryption recovery, make notifications more timely and reliable, and continue refining the app through user feedback. Our goal is to create a safer, gentler, and more trustworthy space for everyone.

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