Every tool you need to study smarter, not harder — in one beautifully crafted macOS app.
Professional PDF Viewer
High-speed PDF and PowerPoint engine with advanced annotation tools — pen, highlight, textbox, shapes, laser pointer, and image insertion.
PenHighlightLaserShapesPPTX
Intelligent Study Sessions
Tracks study time per page, generates a heatmap of your focus, and provides detailed analytics on your learning progress across all documents.
HeatmapPer-page trackingAnalytics
AI Sidekick
Embedded NotebookLM-style AI assistant in the left sidebar for deep document understanding. Generate audio overviews, mind maps, quizzes, and flashcards instantly.
NotebookLMMind MapsQuiz
Highlight Aggregator
All your highlights collected in one place. Edit, copy, or export directly to Anki (.csv) or Markdown (.md) for seamless integration with your study workflow.
Export to AnkiMarkdownBy page
Flashcards & Link-It
Create flashcards instantly from any text. Use Link-It to group sub-topics from multiple lectures under one master topic — like a personal knowledge map.
Spaced repetitionKnowledge map
Voice Notes & Dictation
Record voice pins directly on any page of your PDF. Use speech-to-text dictation for completely hands-free note-taking as you read.
Voice PinSpeech-to-textHands-free
Study Intelligence
Know exactly how you study.
Synapse tracks your study time at the page level — so you know which topics got your full attention and which ones need another look. A living heatmap of your academic focus.
Per-page study time tracking with heatmap visualization
Total study time, average per lecture, and session history
Study consistency calendar spanning your entire semester
AI Sidekick
Your AI study partner, built in.
Synapse embeds a full NotebookLM-style AI assistant directly in the left sidebar. Deep document understanding — without leaving your PDF.
Generate audio overviews, slide decks, and video summaries
Mind maps, infographics, quizzes, and data tables from your PDFs
Chat with your document for instant, grounded answers
Knowledge Management
Connect the dots across lectures.
Synapse doesn't just store your notes — it helps you build a web of connected knowledge from across all your study materials.
Highlight Aggregator
All your highlights, one place
By Page
By Color
Removing the patient from the stressful situation may be the only treatment indicated.
Questioning for remitting or exacerbating factors should include previous treatments and response.
The most important part of the evaluation furnishes clues for the diagnosis.
Export as Markdown (.md)
Export for Anki (.csv)
Link-It · Knowledge Map
3 connections
+ New Link
Groups
General
3
Surgery
Soap-bubble appearance
Dentigerous cyst
3 items
Salty metallic taste
CSF leakage — LeFort III fracture
3 items
Study Templates
Every page, perfectly set up.
Insert beautiful, ready-made note pages directly into your PDF — or open them as a new document. Dotted, lined, tables, checklists, and more in every color.
Insert before or after any page in one tap
Lined, dotted, squared, tables, checklists
Dark, pink, yellow, blue, mint, cream — match your style
Open as standalone document or embed in your lecture PDF
PDF Toolbox
19 tools. One app.
A complete PDF utility suite built right in. No third-party apps, no subscriptions, no compromises.
PDF Merge
PDF Split
Rotate PDF
Reorder Pages
PDF to PPT
JPG to PDF
PDF Lock
Unlock PDF
Watermark
OCR Extract
Add Signature
PDF Compress
…and 7 more tools including Crop, Delete Pages, Add Page Numbers, Redact Text, Edit Metadata, Extract Images, and Flatten PDF.
Start studying smarter today.
Everything you need to master your studies — in one beautifully designed macOS app.
Synapse ("the App") is developed and distributed by Samer Jamal ("we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy explains how Synapse handles your information. We are committed to your privacy: Synapse does not collect, transmit, or store any personal data on our servers. All your documents, notes, highlights, and study data remain exclusively on your device.
Data We Do Not Collect
Synapse does not collect:
Your name, email address, or any personally identifiable information
The contents of any PDF, PowerPoint, or other documents you open
Your highlights, annotations, notes, or flashcards
Your study session data, analytics, or heatmap information
Your device's precise location
Browsing or app usage history
Data Stored Locally On Your Device
All application data — including your opened documents, annotations, study session history, AI-generated notes, flashcards, and preferences — is stored exclusively on your Mac using standard macOS data storage (sandboxed application container). This data never leaves your device unless you explicitly export or share it yourself.
AI Features & Third-Party Services
Synapse includes an AI Sidekick feature. When you use AI-powered features such as document Q&A, quiz generation, mind maps, or flashcard creation, content from your document may be sent to a third-party AI provider (such as Google's Gemini or a compatible API) to generate a response. This transmission occurs only when you actively invoke an AI feature. Please review the privacy policy of the relevant AI provider for details on how they handle submitted content. We do not retain, log, or re-use any content sent to AI APIs.
The App does not currently integrate with any advertising networks, analytics SDKs, or crash-reporting services that transmit personal data.
Purchase & Payment
Synapse is a one-time purchase ($9.99) distributed exclusively through the Apple Mac App Store. All payment processing is handled entirely by Apple. We do not receive, process, or store your payment information at any time. Apple's Privacy Policy governs all transaction data.
Children's Privacy
Synapse is intended for use by students of all ages, including those under 13. Because we do not collect any personal data, Synapse is compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar regulations. No personal information from any user — regardless of age — is transmitted to us.
macOS Permissions
Synapse may request the following macOS permissions, used solely for the stated local purposes:
File Access: To open and display PDF and PowerPoint files you select. Access is granted only to files you explicitly open.
Microphone (optional): Only if audio overview generation features are available and you choose to use them. Never recorded or transmitted without your action.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
Last updated: May 2026 · Apple Mac App Store End User License Agreement applies
1. Acceptance of Terms
By downloading, installing, or using Synapse ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the App. These Terms apply in addition to Apple's Standard End User License Agreement (EULA), which also governs your use of apps purchased from the Mac App Store.
2. License Grant
Subject to these Terms, Samer Jamal grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use Synapse on any Apple-branded device that you own or control, solely for your personal, non-commercial study and productivity purposes. This license does not allow you to use the App on any device that you do not own or control.
3. Permitted Use
Synapse is designed to help students and professionals read, annotate, and study PDF and PowerPoint documents. You may use the App to:
Open, view, and annotate PDF and PPTX files that you own or have legal rights to use
Generate study materials (flashcards, quizzes, mind maps) from your documents using built-in AI tools
Track your personal study sessions and analytics
Export your highlights, notes, and flashcards for personal use
4. Restrictions
You may not:
Copy, modify, distribute, sell, or sublicense the App or any part of it
Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble the App
Use the App to process documents you do not have lawful rights to access or reproduce
Use the App for any illegal purpose or in violation of any applicable law or regulation
Remove or alter any proprietary notices, labels, or marks on the App
Use automated means to access AI features in a manner inconsistent with normal personal use
5. Intellectual Property
Synapse, including its design, interface, icons, and all associated software, is the intellectual property of Samer Jamal and is protected by copyright and other applicable laws. The Synapse name, logo, and app icon are proprietary marks. Nothing in these Terms grants you any rights to use our trademarks or branding.
Documents you open within Synapse remain the property of their respective copyright holders. The App does not claim any ownership over content you import.
6. AI-Generated Content
The AI Sidekick features generate content based on your documents using third-party AI models. AI-generated outputs (summaries, quizzes, flashcards, mind maps) are provided for personal study assistance only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or fitness of AI-generated content for any particular purpose. You are responsible for verifying AI outputs against authoritative sources.
7. One-Time Purchase & Refunds
Synapse is sold as a one-time purchase of $9.99 through the Apple Mac App Store. All purchases are subject to Apple's refund policy. We do not process refunds directly — please contact Apple Support or visit reportaproblem.apple.com for purchase-related issues. Future feature updates may be included at no additional charge at our discretion.
8. Disclaimer of Warranties
Synapse is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the App will be error-free, uninterrupted, or compatible with all hardware configurations.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Samer Jamal shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, the App — including but not limited to loss of data, documents, or study materials. Our total liability to you shall not exceed the amount you paid for the App.
10. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any disputes will be resolved in accordance with Apple's Mac App Store policies for apps and purchases made through that platform.
11. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Your continued use of the App following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
Synapse requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later. It is optimized for Apple Silicon (M1 and later) but also runs on Intel Macs with macOS 13+.
Is Synapse a subscription or a one-time purchase?
Synapse is a one-time purchase of $9.99 with no recurring subscription fees. You get all current features and future updates included at the discretion of the developer.
What file types does Synapse support?
Synapse supports PDF files and PowerPoint (.pptx) files for viewing and annotation. PDF tools support over 20 operations including merge, compress, split, OCR, convert, watermark, lock/unlock, and more.
Are my documents and notes private?
Yes. All your files, annotations, highlights, notes, and study data stay on your device. Synapse does not upload your documents to any server. When you use AI features, the relevant document text is sent to the AI API only to generate your requested output — it is not stored or logged by us.
How do I export my highlights and flashcards?
From the Highlight Aggregator, you can export all your highlights and flashcards to Anki-compatible CSV format or Markdown (.md) files. Use the Export button in the sidebar to choose your format.
How do I request a refund?
Refunds are handled by Apple. Please visit reportaproblem.apple.com and select Synapse from your purchase history to submit a refund request.
The app crashed or a feature isn't working — what should I do?
Please email us at samer.fi404@gmail.com with a description of the issue, your macOS version, and what you were doing when it occurred. Screenshots or screen recordings are very helpful. We aim to respond within 24 hours.
Can I use Synapse on multiple Macs?
Yes. Because Synapse is purchased through the Mac App Store, you can install it on any Mac signed in with the same Apple ID at no additional cost, in accordance with Apple's family sharing and redownload policies.
I have a feature request — how do I submit it?
We love hearing from users! Send your feature ideas to samer.fi404@gmail.com with the subject line "Feature Request." We read every suggestion.
