Columbia University Libraries today announced the acquisition of the archival collection of a mobile application, MINUTIAE. The collection, among the first of the archives of a mobile application, documents the content, development, and experience of the "anti-social media app" that gained international attention for its unique approach to capturing everyday life.

MINUTIAE, launched in 2017, is designed by artists Martin Adolfsson and Daniel Wilson to offer an alternative to curated social media feeds. The app prompts participants to take a photo within a one-minute window each day, at the same moment for all users, regardless of time zone. Participants can then view other users' photos taken at that same instant. The app follows a 1,440-day cycle, corresponding to the number of minutes in a day, after which participants can download their collection of photos.   

The MINUTIAE archival collection at Columbia University Libraries comprises three key components:

• A bespoke version of the MINUTIAE app loaded onto an iPhone, containing the complete 1,440-day photo cycles of eleven participants.  

• A book version of one participant's full cycle of photos, demonstrating the visual outcome of the MINUTIAE experience. 

• Oral history interviews with MINUTIAE creators Martin Adolfsson and Daniel Wilson, providing critical context for the app's development, philosophy, and design.   

Columbia University Libraries also holds the underlying code for the bespoke version of the MINUTIAE app in a restricted repository, ensuring the preservation and potential regeneration of the app's content in the event of hardware failure.   

"This acquisition marks a significant step in the preservation of digital culture and the evolution of archival practices," said Kimberly Springer, Curator for Oral History. "MINUTIAE offers a unique lens into how individuals document their lives and connect with others in the digital age. This collection allows researchers and future generations to explore the app's innovative design, its impact on users, and its place within the broader history of social media and digital communication."

The oral history interviews with Adolfsson and Wilson provide valuable insights into the app's origins and development. The interviews document the creators' backgrounds, the philosophical underpinnings of MINUTIAE, and the technical process of bringing the app to life. MINUTIAE emerged from conversations between Adolfsson and Wilson at the New Museum's New INC incubator in New York City in 2014. Their shared interest in art, technology, and society led to the concept for an app that would capture everyday moments and challenge the performative nature of mainstream social media.   

MINUTIAE gained widespread attention following its launch in 2017, with features in publications such as Wired and Vice. From December 2023 to March 2024, MINUTIAE was featured in a participatory exhibit at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France.   

As of early 2025, MINUTIAE remains active and available for download, with approximately 300,000 downloads and around 40,000 active monthly participants.   

The MINUTIAE archival collection is now available for research by appointment in Columbia’s Rare Book and Manuscript Library.