Daylit 2.0: a calmer redesign

Daylit 2.0 is the biggest update since we launched. It is also, on purpose, the quietest. We removed more than we added, and the app feels lighter for it.

Why we redesigned

Over two years Daylit grew features one at a time. Each made sense on its own, but together they made the app louder than it needed to be. Colourful category tags, badges, banners for new features and a busy Today screen all competed for attention in an app that is supposed to help you focus.

We asked a simple question for every screen: what does someone need to see in the first second? Everything else either moved one tap away or left.

Fewer colours, more space

The new design uses a warm, almost monochrome palette. Black marks what is done, grey marks what is left, and that is most of the information a habit tracker needs. Without competing colours, the one thing that matters on each screen stands out on its own.

We also added space. Rows are taller, text is larger and the Today list fits five habits comfortably instead of eight crowded ones. It turns out most people track five habits or fewer, so nothing was lost.

A native iPad app

Daylit now runs natively on iPad with a sidebar, larger insights and a calendar you can actually read. Your data syncs through iCloud, so a habit ticked on your phone shows up on your iPad a moment later. The iPad layout also works on the new foldable iPhone when it is open.

What changed in the details

• Large titles and native lists throughout, so the app feels at home on iOS.
• Bigger tap targets for ticking habits, especially on the Today list.
• A simpler evening review with one mood, one line and one thing for tomorrow.
• Fewer notifications by default, with reminders that wait for a free moment.

What did not change

Your habits, streaks and journal entries all move over automatically. Nothing is lost and nothing needs to be set up again. Daylit still works offline, still keeps your data on your device and still has no ads.

We hope 2.0 feels like opening a window. If you have thoughts, write to us at hello@daylit.example. We read every message.