Halfleaf Support
About Halfleaf
Halfleaf is an offline-first reading and listening app. You can import EPUB, TXT, or Markdown files, read them with Apple's system voices or optional on-device neural voice models, and manage reading progress, annotations, and offline audio.
Halfleaf does not provide a bookstore, book sources, or online content search. It also has no account system, advertising, or behavioral analytics. For details about data handling, see the Privacy Policy.
System and device requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| iPhone and iPad | iOS or iPadOS 18.0 or later |
| Apple silicon Mac | May run the Designed for iPad version; some system voices and background behavior can vary by device |
| Supported formats | EPUB, TXT, and Markdown |
| Voice models | Not included in the app download; installed separately when needed |
Voice capabilities have different memory requirements. System voices are available on all supported devices. Instant Chinese and English voices require a device in the 6 GB memory class. High-quality offline generation and creating a personal voice from a recording require a device in the 16 GB memory class. The app's device check determines which features appear.
Frequently asked questions
How do I import a book?
Choose Import in the library and open an EPUB, TXT, or Markdown file with the system file picker. You can also choose Halfleaf from the system share sheet in another app. TXT and Markdown files are converted to an internal reading format during import. EPUB files must be DRM-free. PDF, MOBI, AZW, and AZW3 are not currently supported.
Do I need to download a voice model?
No. Halfleaf can use Apple's built-in system voices without any additional download. Optional voice models provide different sound quality, generation modes, and custom-voice capabilities.
What is the difference between instant and high-quality offline voices?
Apple system voices can begin reading immediately. After you download an instant Chinese or English voice, it can also generate speech as you listen without preparing an entire chapter. A high-quality offline voice plays only chapters that have already been generated. It cannot start reading immediately and can generate only on devices that meet its memory requirement. Completed audio remains playable even if you later remove the voice model.
What are Route 1, Route 2, and Route 3?
They are different services for downloading voice models. Halfleaf selects a route based on network availability and attempts to resume or switch when a download fails. You do not need to know which provider operates a particular route.
Does deleting a voice model remove audio already generated?
No. Deleting a model only releases the storage used by that model. Offline audio that has already been generated remains available. The model is required again only when you regenerate audio or generate additional chapters.
What synchronizes through iCloud?
When Halfleaf is allowed to use iCloud, books, reading progress, lists, annotations, some settings, source files, and offline audio can synchronize through your own CloudKit private database.
When another device discovers offline audio in iCloud, it does not automatically download the entire library and fill local storage. Download the books or chapters you want under Settings — Offline Audio. Only chapters downloaded to the device are available without a network connection.
Halfleaf does not currently provide separate synchronization switches for each category. You can disable Halfleaf in system iCloud settings. Disabling synchronization does not automatically delete data already stored on your device or in iCloud.
Can I use Halfleaf without iCloud?
Yes. Reading, system speech, installed on-device voice models, and local offline audio can all remain on the current device. Halfleaf does not currently offer another cross-device sync service. Without iCloud, books, progress, custom voices, and offline audio are not transferred automatically to another device.
How do I delete local or iCloud data?
- Under Settings — Offline Audio, choose Remove Download to remove only the local copy of offline audio.
- In an offline-audio delete menu, choose Delete to remove the corresponding local and iCloud audio.
- When a book source is already stored in iCloud, press and hold the book in the library and choose Remove Download to remove its local source, derived caches, and local offline audio while keeping the book record and cloud copy.
- Choose Delete Book in the library to delete the book, reading progress, annotations, source file, and associated offline audio.
- Delete a custom voice and its reference and preview audio under Settings — Custom Voices.
- Deleting the app removes data from that device only. To remove iCloud data, also delete Halfleaf data in system iCloud storage management.
Halfleaf does not currently provide a single control that deletes all cloud data. See the Privacy Policy for the complete deletion paths.
Why does Halfleaf request microphone access?
Halfleaf requests microphone access only when you choose to record a reference clip for a custom voice. The recording is not sent to the developer or an online speech service. If the current release enables iCloud synchronization for custom voices, the recording enters your own CloudKit private database as part of the voice; otherwise it remains on the device where you created it.
How long does offline audio generation take?
Generation time depends on the device, model, text length, device temperature, and system scheduling. Generating an entire book can take several hours. Halfleaf continues background work when permitted by the system. If the task is paused because the app exits, the system suspends it, or resources are constrained, the queue remains available so that you can continue later.
Can I export or share generated offline audio?
No. Generated offline audio is available only for playback in Halfleaf or for use across your devices through your own iCloud private storage. It cannot be exported as an audio file. Text highlights can be exported as Markdown or plain text, or copied to the clipboard.
Reporting a problem
Open Settings — Feedback in Halfleaf, or email halfleaf@qqfly.net directly. The in-app option opens your system mail application and pre-fills the app version, operating system, device model code, and interface language. You can review, edit, or remove this information before sending.
To help diagnose the issue, please include:
- the exact steps you followed;
- what you expected to happen;
- what happened instead;
- whether the issue is consistently reproducible; and
- for import or layout issues, the file format and any necessary redacted screenshots.
Please do not send complete copyrighted book files, personal sensitive information, or data unrelated to the issue.
Halfleaf is maintained by an independent developer. A response may take several business days.
Known limitations
- High-quality offline generation and voice cloning require substantial device memory and are not shown on some devices.
- Generating offline audio for an entire book can take a long time and use significant storage.
- Halfleaf processes files you import and does not provide book sources or online book search.
- Apple system voices, background execution time, and iCloud availability can vary by device and system configuration.
Contact
Email: halfleaf@qqfly.net
Chinese version: https://halfleaf.qqfly.net/support
Privacy Policy: https://halfleaf.qqfly.net/en/privacy