Activation and offline use
Activate once to get started. BrutalDash refreshes activation automatically while it’s open and online, alongside its update check. There is no weekly renewal button to remember. Once activated, you can use it offline for up to 30 days after a successful activation or refresh. You choose when to install updates. Your saved designs stay on your PC if activation expires.
Activation sends your purchase key, a device-bound identifier and, for refreshes, the signed activation token. Your pictures, dashboard designs and optional hardware reports are separate.
Optional hardware sharing
Hardware sharing helps identify missing device integrations and reader failures. It starts off. Opt in in Settings → Help improve BrutalDash; the Opt in & continue button saves your choice and closes the window. Preview report is available if you want to inspect the contents first.
Reports include CPU, motherboard and GPU models, Windows and GPU driver versions, USB vendor/product IDs, reading availability for each GPU, and reader status and diagnostic codes. They do not include temperature or FPS values, pictures, designs, purchase details, usernames, serial numbers, raw logs or game history.
Layout and feature counts have a separate checkbox, also off by default. They count days included layouts, Studio, Overlay, theme library, saved views and media controls were used during the previous seven days. They do not include custom layout names, individual clicks or time spent.
If enabled, reports are sent at most once a week while BrutalDash is open, with retries after connection failures. A separate random installation ID prevents repeat reports counting as new installations; it is not the activation ID and is not linked to purchases. A distinctive hardware combination can still be identifying. Cloudflare handles the network connection and sees its IP address; the report database does not store it.
The latest report replaces the earlier one, expires after 90 days and is removed in the next daily cleanup. Choose Turn off sharing to stop future reports, or Turn off & delete reports to request removal of hardware and usage records. A queued deletion retries while the app is open; let it finish before uninstalling. A hash of the random ID and private deletion credential remains until cleanup after 90 days to block delayed uploads. Cloudflare recovery backups may retain an earlier copy for their retention period.
Showcase credits
Promotional showcases use the actual app interface with simulated readings and playback. Overlay stills use an illustrated game scene. Device examples illustrate the interface. AI-generated code and visual assets are included. Music credits accompany the release film.