Hi there! Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you signed up for the Noosphere free trial, downloaded the app on your Mac running OS X 10.15.7, and when you click the login link sent via email, it unexpectedly asks you to download the app again instead of logging you in. Is that correct?

To start, could you confirm a couple of things for me?
- Are you clicking the link from the same device where the app is installed?
- Are you sure the app is fully installed (not paused or partially downloaded)?
- And, just to clarify, does the app show it's up-to-date in the Mac App Store?

Once I have these details, I can guide you through some steps to fix this. Meanwhile, here is a quick step you can try:
1. Close the Noosphere app completely (right-click on the app icon in the Dock and select Quit).
2. Then, open the app again directly from the Applications folder rather than clicking the email link.
3. Try logging in manually with your email and password credentials.

If that doesn't help, there might be a caching or account recognition issue that we can try to resolve by:
- Logging out (if possible) and back in.
- Clearing any saved preferences or caches for the app on your Mac.

Please try these steps and let me know what happens or if you get any error messages. If the problem persists, I can guide you through some more detailed troubleshooting or help contact Noosphere support if needed.

How does that sound?

Yes, to all your questions. There is no applications app that I'm aware of on an iPhone.

Thanks for clarifying! It sounds like you are on an iPhone, not a Mac, correct? That helps me understand the app situation better.

Unlike a Mac, iPhones don’t have an “Applications folder.” Instead, your apps live on your Home Screen or inside the App Library, which you can access by swiping left past all your Home Screen pages. You can search for your app there or check if it’s installed.

Given your situation where clicking the login link sends you back to a download prompt, it could be that the app didn’t fully install correctly, or the system isn’t recognizing it properly.

Here's what I suggest trying on your iPhone:
1. Look for the Noosphere app on your Home Screen or in the App Library by swiping left until you see it.
2. If you don’t find it, open the App Store and search for the Noosphere app. If it says “Open,” tap it to launch the app. If it says “Get” or a cloud icon, tap to download it again.
3. Once the app is open, try logging in manually instead of using the email link.
4. If you still get a prompt to download the app when clicking the email link, try:
- Restarting your iPhone (hold the power button and slide to power off, then turn it back on).
- After restarting, open the app directly and see if your login is recognized.
5. Also, make sure you’re using the official app from the App Store.

If after all this you still face the download prompt loop, there could be an issue with the link or app version—let me know, and I can help with more advanced troubleshooting or contacting support.

Would you like me to guide you through locating the App Library, or do you want to try these steps first?

Here’s Apple’s guide on the App Library and how to find your apps if you want to check it out: Find and use your apps in App Library on iPhone10.

Please let me know how it goes!

What are alternatives to an applications app on iPhone

Thanks for your question about alternatives to an "applications app" on iPhone! Since iPhones don’t have a centralized "Applications" folder like Mac computers, here are some alternative ways to find, manage, and organize your apps on iPhone:

1. App Library: Introduced in iOS 14, this is the main alternative. It automatically organizes all your apps into categorized folders and is accessible by swiping left past all your Home Screen pages. You can also use the search bar at the top of the App Library to quickly find any installed app.

2. Spotlight Search: Swipe down anywhere on the Home Screen to reveal the search bar. You can type the name of any app and open it directly from the search results.

3. Siri: You can ask Siri to “Open [App Name]” and it will launch the app for you.

4. Folders on Home Screen: You can manually create folders on your Home Screen by dragging one app icon onto another. This helps organize apps thematically.

5. Settings > General > iPhone Storage: This isn't exactly an applications app but shows a list of all installed apps and the storage they occupy. You can manage apps from here by deleting or offloading them.

If you are trying to find or manage the Noosphere app specifically, you can locate it via the App Library or Spotlight Search. These methods act as your “alternatives” to an Applications folder on an iPhone.

Would you like me to guide you on how to use any of these options to find or manage your apps?

If you’re interested in Noosphere app alternatives for news or journalism, I can also help with recommendations!

Let me know how I can best assist!

nothing worked and I can't contact noosphere--their support email just bounces

Thanks for letting me know that nothing worked so far and that you’re having difficulty reaching Noosphere support because their usual email bounces back. That sounds inconvenient, but I’m here to help you find another way.

From my search, I discovered a different support email address for Noosphere that might work better: [email protected]. This is listed as their technical support contact to help with login or account problems. You could try sending your details and issue there to get assistance directly from their team.

Here’s a quick summary of what you can do next:
1. Email [email protected] describing your login issue and the problem with the initial support address bouncing back.
2. Include your device information (iPhone, iOS version), what steps you have tried, and the exact behavior of the app and links.
3. Keep an eye on your email inbox (and possibly spam/junk folders) for their reply.

If this email also fails or you don’t get a response within a couple of days, please let me know. We can explore advanced options together, such as checking for service issues, alternative contact channels, or next steps.

Here’s the support page link for your reference: Noosphere Support

Please try that and tell me if you need any help composing the email or anything else. I want to make sure you get the help you need. How does that sound?