Skip to main content

Guest Mode

Guest mode allows you to explore BookWish without creating a permanent account. It's perfect for trying out the app before committing to a full registration.

What Guests Can Do​

In guest mode, you have access to many of BookWish's features:

Browse and Explore​

  • Search for books by title, author, or ISBN
  • View book details including descriptions, ratings, and availability
  • Browse public content from other readers
  • Explore stores and their inventory
  • Read public Lines and Reviews shared by the community

Limited Personal Features​

  • Create temporary wishlists (up to 3)
  • Add books to wishlists for later reference
  • Set reading status (Want to Read, Currently Reading, Finished)
  • Add notes to books in your wishlists
  • Search stores and view their profiles
How Guest Mode Works

When you start as a guest, BookWish creates a temporary account tied to your device ID. This allows the app to save your wishlists and preferences locally, but they're only stored temporarily.

Code Implementation: Guest session creation is handled in /app/lib/state/auth_provider.dart (lines 87-113).

What Guests Cannot Do​

Guest mode has several limitations to protect the community and encourage account creation:

Social Features​

  • Cannot follow other users or view your followers
  • Cannot join book clubs or participate in club discussions
  • Cannot participate in reading challenges
  • Cannot share Lines or Reviews publicly

Community Interaction​

  • Cannot like or comment on other users' posts
  • Cannot send messages to other readers
  • Cannot report or moderate content

Shopping Features​

  • Cannot complete purchases (requires verified account)
  • Cannot save shipping addresses
  • Cannot receive stock alerts from stores

Account Management​

  • No profile customization beyond basic display name
  • Cannot set a home store for personalized recommendations
  • No email notifications or alerts
  • No data backup - wishlists are device-specific
Data Persistence

Guest data is tied to your device and not backed up to the cloud. If you clear app data, uninstall the app, or switch devices, your guest wishlists will be lost.

Converting to a Full Account​

Ready to unlock all features? Upgrading from guest to full account is simple and preserves your data.

Upgrade Process​

  1. Open Profile Settings

    • Tap your avatar in the top navigation
    • Select "Edit Profile & Settings"

  2. Choose "Upgrade Account"

    • You'll see a prompt highlighting premium features
    • Tap "Create Account" to begin

  3. Add Credentials

    • Enter your email address
    • Create a secure password (8+ characters, mixed case, numbers)
    • Provide a display name

  4. Verify Email (if required)

    • Check your inbox for a verification link
    • Click the link to confirm

  5. Complete Setup

    • Your guest wishlists are automatically migrated
    • All temporary data becomes permanent
    • Full features are unlocked immediately

Code Reference: Guest migration is handled by the migrateGuest function in /app/lib/state/auth_provider.dart (lines 183-217).

What Gets Migrated​

When upgrading from guest to full account:

  • ✅ All wishlists and their items
  • ✅ Book notes and reading statuses
  • ✅ Priority settings for wishlist items
  • ✅ App preferences and settings
  • ❌ Device-specific cache (will rebuild)

After Upgrading​

Once you upgrade, you'll gain immediate access to:

  • Social features: Follow users, join clubs, participate in challenges
  • Content creation: Share Lines and Reviews with the community
  • Shopping: Complete purchases and save addresses
  • Notifications: Push and email alerts for activity
  • Cloud backup: Your data syncs across devices
  • Home store: Set your local bookstore for inventory alerts

Why Upgrade?​

Data Security​

Full accounts are backed up to the cloud, ensuring you never lose your carefully curated wishlists.

Community Access​

Join the BookWish community by following readers, joining clubs, and sharing your favorite book quotes.

Personalization​

Set your home store to see local inventory and get alerts when wishlist books arrive.

Future-Proof​

When you upgrade to a full account, you can access your wishlists from any device.

Start as Guest, Stay Forever

Many users start as guests to explore the app. When you're ready, upgrading takes less than a minute and preserves everything you've created.

Common Questions​

Can I use guest mode on multiple devices?​

No, guest accounts are tied to a specific device ID. Each device would create a separate guest session.

How long can I stay in guest mode?​

There's no time limit. You can use guest mode indefinitely, but your data isn't backed up.

Will I lose my wishlists if I upgrade?​

No! The migration process preserves all your wishlists, notes, and settings.

Can I downgrade from full account to guest?​

No, once you create a full account, you can't revert to guest mode. However, you can always create a new account on a different device.

Next Steps​