Devonian Times Masthead

The DEVONtechnologies Blog

Articles tagged with privacy

How to Use Local AI in DEVONthink To Go

July 14, 2026

Screenshot showing the server settings of LM Studio, so it can be accessed on the network.

When using AI on mobile devices, you typically access cloud services like. You can’t run a full local model on an iPhone today, but you can run one on your Mac and connect DEVONthink To Go to it. Here is how that works. (more)

How DEVONthink Keeps You in Control

June 30, 2026

Screenshot showing DEVONthink’s smart rule editor, showing a smart rule that uses the On Demand event trigger.

You might assume that apps will do certain things automatically. However, many decisions are yours to make, not the app’s. We prefer clear opt‑in controls rather than hidden opt‑outs. Here are a few optional things that are up to your control in DEVONthink or DEVONthink To Go. (more)

How to Remove Encryption Keys from Keychain Access

March 31, 2026

Screenshot showing macOS’ Keychain Access with an encrypted disk image key.

In DEVONthink, you can encrypt databases for particularly private or sensitive documents. However, if you accidentally save the key to the macOS keychain, you won’t need to enter it when opening the database. Here’s how to remove the key from the keychain if you don’t want it there. (more)

How to Choose a Local AI in DEVONthink

November 11, 2025

Screenshot showing LM Studio's server settings.

If you want to use AI in DEVONthink, you can choose between server-based and local models. Whether it’s for privacy reasons or just the novelty, running AI locally on your Mac may be something you’re considering. But how does that work and what options are available? (more)

Using Local AI in DEVONthink?

May 12, 2025

Screenshot showing the AI section of DEVONthink's settings.

When it comes to AI in DEVONthink 4, questions of privacy and cost usually come up. In addition to the large commercial products, there also are smaller models that you can install and run locally on your Mac and use in DEVONthink. Here we show you these options. (more)

A Word About Data Privacy

March 4, 2025

Screenshot showing the DEVONthink To Go settings with the Backup data to iCloud option disabled.

Any time you store your data on servers you don’t operate, you have to trust they will respect your privacy. But even if you feel fairly comfortable, it’s not a bad idea to take a few further steps to protect your data. (more)

How to Unencrypt a Database

September 17, 2024

Screenshot showing a Finder window. The Finder window contains the open disk image of an encrypted database, as described in the post. The disk image contains a regular database file.

DEVONthink’s encrypted databases are useful for keeping your private data, e.g., financial or health records, though they can be used for any purpose. If you decide you don’t need a particular database to be encrypted, here’s how you can unencrypt it. (more)

How to Encrypt an Existing Database

April 16, 2024

Screenshot showing an encrypted database in DEVONthink.

When DEVONthink 3 debuted, it came with the option of creating a truly secure, encrypted database. If you have an unencrypted database and would like to convert it to an encrypted one, here is how you do it. (more)

How to Use Focus Modes

July 25, 2023

Screenshot showing the settings for a focus mode for DEVONthink To Go.

Focus modes allow you to minimize distractions in different circumstances. This usually involves disabling notifications from certain people or applications. DEVONthink To Go also supports Focus modes and lets you filter your information as needed. Here is, how that works. (more)

Surviving in the Age of Surveillance

February 15, 2022

Symbolic picture of a quadcopter with a spy camera attached.

On his blog, David Sparks a.k.a. MacSparky paints a dark picture of an age of mass surveillance. And David is right. We can only watch out and base our decisions what products to use and which services to trust on smart choices. Here are some of our thoughts and two links. (more)