b405397b64ae4199b137479b7c9942f1Q: If I start by using the included Sumo Router and later connect my own OpenAI API key?
Hello,
I would like to better understand how model selection works.
If I start by using the included Sumo Router and later connect my own OpenAI API key:
1. Can I switch between Sumo Router and OpenAI at any time?
2. Can I choose which conversations use Alter requests and which use my OpenAI API?
3. When using my OpenAI API key, does Alter use the actual OpenAI models directly, or does the request still pass through the Sumo Router?
4. Is there a way to automatically fall back to my OpenAI API when my Alter request balance reaches zero?
Thank you!
Sam_Alter
Jun 21, 2026A: 1. Yes you can switch at any time
2. Yes you can even switch models mid conversations
3. It's direct between the app on your device and the openAI servers
4. No there's no automatic fallback but you'll get prompted to change your model
Verified purchaser
Hello Sam,
Thank you for the clear answer.
I have one more privacy-related question.
When I use my own OpenAI API key and the request goes directly from the Alter app to OpenAI servers:
Are my conversations, prompts, files, or outputs stored on Alter servers in any way?
Is the chat history stored only locally on my device, or is it synced through Alter cloud?
If cloud sync is available, can I
Verified purchaser
Everything is only stored on your device, there's no cloud sync to Alter.
Verified purchaser
Thank you! Last question: Are conversations encrypted locally?
If I uninstall Alter or change Mac, how can I backup and restore my chats and projects?