Why a feature is off in demo mode
A new account includes a sample event, already filled with photos and voice notes, so the dashboard isn't empty before you have created anything. It's read-only deliberately.
Any change to it's turned away by the server, not just hidden in the interface. Create your own event and the controls unlock.
What the sample event is for
An empty dashboard teaches nothing about what a full album resembles. The sample arrives populated so you can see the album, the contributions and the layout before your own event has anything in it — which is by design at which most folks determine whether this fits them.
It's created once, on sign-up, and it belongs to your account like any other event.
- Check which event you are in. The sample is labeled. Controls behave differently there than in your own event.
- Create a real event. It takes a name and an event type. Everything unlocks together.
- Ignore the sample afterwards. It hides itself from the list as soon as you own an actual event.
Why it refuses everything
The refusal happens on the server, not just grayed out in the interface. A change aimed at the sample comes back as turned away instead of being quietly accepted and failed, which is the actual behavior — a setting that shows up to save and doesn't is worse than one that says no.
So there's no trick to editing it. It isn't planned to be edited.
What is unavailable there
Settings, downloads and album curation. You can look at everything and touch nothing, which covers the controls folks report as broken. Downloading is disabled too, since the media is a sample instead of yours.
If a control seems dead, check the event name before checking anything else.
When it disappears
As soon as your account has any real event, the sample halts appearing in the list. Nothing must be removed and no setting must be found — it exists to fill an empty state and steps aside once the state is no longer empty.
That also implies it can't clutter a list of 30 events later on.
It is not a trial
The sample serves as a demo instead of a free trial with limits. Your free event includes the trial: 5 GB, 60 contributions, 30-second video clips and a 30-day album, with no card needed.
So the way to attempt the product properly is to create an event, not to prod the sample.
If a control is dead in your own event
Then it's the plan instead of the sample. The live wall ships with celebrate and grand, package downloads to the paid tiers, and a custom domain to the top tier. Each of those is off instead of hidden.
The event name at the top of the page decides which of the two explanations you're looking at.
Common questions
Why can I not change anything?
You're in the sample event. It's read-only, and the refusal comes from the server.
Can I delete the sample?
You don't need to. It hides itself once you own an actual event.
Is the sample my free trial?
No. Your free event includes: 5 GB, 60 contributions and a 30-day album.
Can I download from the sample?
No. The media is a sample rather than yours.
A control is off in my own event too — why?
That's the plan. The live wall, package downloads and a custom domain each wants its own tier.
Create your first event
The 2 required fields, and everything unlocks.
Find your way around the dashboard
What each tab does once it is unlocked.
Run several events at once
What happens to the list as it grows.
A guest album for a birthday
The first real event, in a few minutes.
It is not the sample event
Forward us the event name and which control is dead. Then it's the plan, and we will say which tier it needs.