The Tin

Support

Answers first, humans close behind.

Found a bug or have a feature idea? The fastest route is a GitHub issue — the project is developed in the open and issues are read by the people who fix them. Prefer email? support@thetinapp.com reaches the same people.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Tin really free? What's the catch?

Really free, no catch. No ads, no paywall, no subscription, no locked features — every user gets the entire app. The Tin is an open-source project funded by sponsorships from collectors, not by monetizing you. If it ever helps you, starring the repository or chipping in toward hosting is appreciated but never required.

Where is my collection stored?

On your device, in a local database, and backed up to your own iCloud so that a new phone can restore it. It is never uploaded to our servers — we don't run one that could hold it. See the privacy policy for the full picture, including what the iCloud backup does and doesn't cover.

How do I back up or move my collection?

It backs itself up. As long as you're signed into iCloud, the app keeps a current backup there — install The Tin on the new phone, sign into the same Apple ID, and it offers to restore on first launch. Settings → Data shows the backup’s status if you want to confirm it before wiping the old device.

For a copy you control outside iCloud — a different Apple ID, an archive, or somewhere off Apple entirely — use the CSV export and save the file wherever you like. The format is plain CSV, so your data is never locked in either way.

Where do prices come from, and how fresh are they?

Raw market prices come from TCGplayer (USD) and Cardmarket (EUR) via open data feeds. Graded prices and PSA population data come from a paid commercial data provider — that subscription is the largest single thing sponsorships pay for, and it's why grading data is in a free app at all. The card database rebuilds nightly; each price in the app shows its "as of" date so you always know how current it is.

The first launch is downloading something — what is it?

The card catalog: a single database of every set, card, and price (roughly 50 MB). After that first download the app works offline for browsing and scanning, and picks up catalog updates when they're available.

A card scan didn't match — what should I do?

Try steadier framing on a plain background with even light; foils and heavily played cards are the hardest cases. If a card consistently misidentifies, file an issue with the card name and set — real examples are exactly what improves the scanner.

Is grading advice guaranteed?

No — Grade It shows population data and market prices for each PSA grade and is honest about being an estimate. It's an informed starting point, not a promise of what a grader will say or what a buyer will pay.

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