Help with Regexcellent

Getting started

Open Learn, choose The Basics, and start Literal matching. Enter cat to match the sample text. Lessons include hints and instant feedback. The complete course and all features are free.

Supported devices

Regexcellent supports iPhone and iPad running iOS/iPadOS 18 or later, Mac running macOS 15 or later, and Android phones and tablets running Android 8 or later. Availability depends on the stores and countries the publisher enables. There is no Windows, browser, TV, watch, or native HarmonyOS version.

Regexcellent is available natively for Apple Vision Pro on visionOS 2 or later. It includes the course, Playground, reference and challenges. Local learning works without an account; optional iCloud sync and one-time App Store tips use the same controls and data practices described below. Availability depends on your store and region.

Does it need an account or internet connection?

No account or connection is needed for the course, reference, challenges or regex engine. Version 1.0 keeps data locally and has no sync or purchases. In version 1.0.1 and later, optional sync and Apple tips require internet and the corresponding provider account. Every feature remains free. Downloading updates, visiting websites and contacting support also require internet.

Appearance and getting started in version 1.0.1

Version 1.0.1 lets you choose System, Light or Dark appearance in Progress. System follows your device setting; your choice stays on this device. Onboarding pages support swiping, with navigation controls kept at the bottom, and module badges use three columns. Update availability depends on your store and region.

Where is my progress?

In version 1.0, progress, saved patterns, preferences and unfinished Playground work stay on your device. Android system cloud backup and device transfer are disabled; Apple system backups may include local data. Deleting local storage can lose your progress, and there is no publisher-held copy to restore.

Version 1.0.1 adds optional sync for learning/practice progress and saved patterns. Earlier builds keep unsaved Playground drafts and preferences on the device. Newer builds with expanded sync also carry learning mastery/review records, best solutions and supported appearance/editor preferences. Unsaved drafts, recent history and notification settings remain local. Apple devices use the same iCloud account; Android devices use the same chosen Google account. Apple and Android do not sync with one another.

Optional sync in version 1.0.1

These controls are available in version 1.0.1 and later; version 1.0 has no sync. Update availability depends on your platform, store and region. In Progress, explicitly enable iCloud sync on Apple or connect Google Drive on Android. The consent prompt explains which account receives your existing progress and saved patterns. Confirm only if you want that data copied to the selected provider account, then allow time for a successful sync on both devices. Use Sync now to retry; check connectivity, available provider storage and account authorization if an error remains.

Apple sync uses the one Apple Account signed in to iCloud in your device's system settings. When you enable sync for the first time, your existing local progress and saved patterns are added to that account. Turning sync off keeps its local copy. If you later switch the Apple Account in system settings, sync turns off and returns to the original local workspace while keeping the old account's data separately. Enabling sync for the newly signed-in account opens a separate workspace; it does not automatically copy the original local data or the old account's data into that account.

Android Disconnect retains local learning data and the last account's connection settings, and leaves existing Drive data intact. It stops this app's sync but does not itself revoke Google's authorization grant. Remove the grant separately through your Google Account's connected-app controls if desired. A different Google account requires confirmation before retained local data is merged into it. Reconnect if permission was revoked; keep using local lessons while offline.

Optional Apple tips in version 1.0.1

Apple version 1.0.1 and later offers Small, Medium and Large tips through the App Store when the update and tip products are available. They are optional one-time purchases, can be repeated and unlock nothing. No subscription or premium access is created. If products are unavailable, you can keep using every feature and try again later. Apple handles payment and refund eligibility; see Apple purchase support. Do not send card details to the developer.

Optional Android tips in version 1.0.3

Open Progress, scroll to Support development and select Leave a tip on Ko-fi. The developer’s page opens in your browser; select One time, leave Make it monthly unchecked and review the amount before paying through Stripe. Ko-fi may offer recurring support separately, but no payment or subscription is needed for Regexcellent. All features stay free and tips unlock nothing. Versions before 1.0.3 do not show this section.

A browser and internet connection are required. If the link cannot open, install or enable a browser and retry, or visit ko-fi.com/mduchev. You can return to the app without paying. The app does not track whether you tipped. Keep your provider receipt and contact support@regexcellent.app for tip or refund questions; never send card details.

Why does a pattern behave differently in another tool?

Regex engines differ. Regexcellent uses ICU on Apple and java.util.regex on Android. Code export warns about differences in Swift, Kotlin, JavaScript, and Python and may refuse an unsupported translation. Test exported snippets with your real input before using them in another project.

Why was my pattern rejected or shortened?

The app limits input sizes and rejects some patterns that could take excessive time to evaluate. Reduce the sample size or simplify the expression. Such limits help keep the app responsive; Regexcellent is a learning tool, not an unrestricted execution environment.

Why did a reminder not arrive exactly on time?

Reminders are optional local notifications. Check the toggle in Progress, system notification permissions, Focus/Do Not Disturb, and Android battery restrictions. Android background scheduling may delay delivery. You can keep using every learning feature without reminders.

How do I remove my data?

Delete saved patterns in the app, or use system app-storage controls for a local reset. Deleting a pattern does not reset progress. iOS offloading retains data, app deletion normally removes its local container, and Mac app removal can leave its container/preferences. Review system backups separately.

For version 1.0.1, pattern deletion is synchronized through a deletion marker. It removes the pattern from active libraries after sync; it does not immediately erase every local/cloud copy or retained deletion record. Disconnecting, revoking authorization and uninstalling do not themselves remove provider data.

For a complete reset, first turn sync off on every device. Remove Regexcellent's data using iCloud app-storage or Google Drive application-data controls, then remove local storage and any relevant backups. Drive app data is hidden from the ordinary file list. Do not re-enable sync with retained local work unless you want it merged/uploaded again. There is no in-app bulk cloud-erasure command. See the Privacy Policy or email support for guidance before removing data.

Report a problem

Email support@regexcellent.app. Include your device model, OS version, Regexcellent version, store/download source, steps to reproduce the issue, expected behavior, and what happened instead. Add a minimal non-sensitive pattern and sample text if relevant. Screenshots are helpful after removing personal information. No response-time guarantee is offered.