PRIVACY POLICY
for
Caynax Step Counter (com.caynax.steps.counter)

Last updated: 2026-09-27


1. WHO WE ARE

Caynax Step Counter is made by Caynax, an independent developer.
Contact: caynax@gmail.com


2. SHORT VERSION

- There is no account and no sign-up.
- Your step history, workouts, achievements and the data you enter (sex, weight, height) are stored
  on your device. We have no server of our own that stores this data.
- This data leaves your device only when you choose it: a backup to your own Google Drive, a file
  you export or share, or a problem report you send us by e-mail.
- The app shows ads and uses Google services for analytics and crash reports. These services receive
  technical data, described in section 5.
- Health Connect data is never used for ads and is never shared with ad or analytics services.


3. DATA STORED ON YOUR DEVICE

The app keeps this data in a local database and in its settings on your device:
- steps counted by the phone's step sensor, with times, and the daily results,
- workouts (time, steps, distance, pace),
- achievements and rank,
- data you enter: sex, weight, height, daily goal, units and other settings.

Weight and height are used only to calculate distance and calories.

When you remove the app from your device, this data is deleted. Backups you saved yourself (see
section 4) stay where you saved them until you delete them.


4. DATA THAT LEAVES YOUR DEVICE ONLY WHEN YOU CHOOSE IT

Google Drive backup (optional)
If you turn it on, the app saves a backup file (your step history, workouts and settings) in a
hidden app folder in YOUR OWN Google Drive account. We cannot see or read this data. To delete it:
1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. Click Settings -> Settings.
3. On the left, click Manage apps.
4. Find Caynax Step Counter. If there is hidden data, you can see its size under the app name.
5. Click Options -> Delete hidden app data.

Local backup (optional)
If you turn it on, the app saves backup files in a folder on your phone (by default
Documents/Caynax/CaynaxStepCounter, or a folder you pick). These files stay on your phone after you
remove the app. You can delete them with any file manager.

Export and sharing
When you export a CSV file, save a backup file or share an image with your results, the file goes to
the app or person you pick in the Android share menu.

Problem report
When you use "Report a problem", the app prepares a file with technical logs, your settings and the
step and workout data from the day you pick. Your e-mail app then sends it to us, only if you send
the message. We use this file only to find and fix the problem, and we delete it when it is no longer
needed. You can ask us to delete it earlier at caynax@gmail.com.


5. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

The app uses these services. They receive technical data such as the device model, Android version,
app version, IP address and, for ads, the advertising ID. Each service handles the data under its own
privacy policy.

- Google AdMob - shows ads in the free version.
  https://policies.google.com/privacy
- AppLovin - an ad network that may be used to show ads.
  https://www.applovin.com/privacy/
- Firebase Analytics - collects anonymous, automatic usage data (for example app opens and screen
  sessions) to help us improve the app. It does not receive your steps, weight, height or Health
  Connect data.
  https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
- Firebase Crashlytics - when the app crashes, it sends a crash report (device model, Android
  version, app version, technical details of the error and an installation identifier). The report
  does not contain your steps, weight, height or Health Connect data.
  https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
- Google Drive API - used only for the optional backup to your own Google Drive (section 4).
  https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Google Play Billing - handles the optional Pro subscription. Payment is made in Google Play; we do
  not receive your payment details.
  https://policies.google.com/privacy

Advertising ID
The ad services may use the Google Advertising ID to show ads and to count ad views. You can reset
or delete this ID in Android settings (Settings -> Privacy -> Ads, or Settings -> Google -> Ads).

Consent in the EEA, the UK and Switzerland
In these regions the app asks for your consent before personalized ads are shown and before
analytics data is collected. Until you answer, analytics collection is turned off. You can change or
withdraw your consent at any time in the app: Settings -> Support -> Ad privacy settings.


6. HEALTH CONNECT BY ANDROID

Caynax Step Counter can optionally connect to Health Connect. You decide if it is used.
- Data accessed: steps (READ_STEPS and WRITE_STEPS permissions).
- Writing steps: the app saves the steps it counts to Health Connect, so other health and fitness
  apps and compatible devices can show the same daily total.
- Reading steps: the app reads steps saved by other apps and devices (for example a smartwatch) and
  shows one combined total for the day.
- Storage and privacy:
  - Steps read from Health Connect are processed only on your device. They are not saved in the
    app's own database, so they are not part of backups, and they are never sent to us or to any
    other server.
  - Health Connect data is NEVER used for advertising, marketing, profiling or interest-based
    targeting.
  - Health Connect data is NEVER sold, rented or transferred to data brokers, ad networks or other
    third parties.
  - Health Connect data is never used to decide creditworthiness or for lending.
- Compliance with Google policy: the use of information received from Health Connect follows the
  Health Connect Permissions policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
- Your control: you can grant, deny or withdraw access at any time in Android settings
  (Settings -> Security & privacy -> Privacy -> Health Connect) or in the Health Connect screen in
  the app.


7. PERMISSIONS

- ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION - to read the phone's step sensor, and to detect travel in a vehicle so the
  app can pause counting and not count vehicle vibrations as steps.
- FOREGROUND_SERVICE, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_HEALTH - to keep counting steps and tracking workouts in the
  background, also when the screen is off.
- POST_NOTIFICATIONS - to show the ongoing notification with today's steps, goal reminders and
  achievement notifications.
- RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED - to start step counting again after the phone restarts or the app is
  updated.
- REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS - used only after you agree, to ask Android not to stop step
  counting in the background.
- WAKE_LOCK - so counting and scheduled tasks keep working while the phone is idle.
- INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE, ACCESS_WIFI_STATE - for ads, Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics,
  the Google Drive backup and the Pro subscription.
- com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID - lets the ad services use the advertising ID (section 5).
- com.android.vending.BILLING - for the optional Pro subscription through Google Play.
- health.READ_STEPS, health.WRITE_STEPS - for Health Connect (section 6), only if you allow it.


8. CHILDREN

The app is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect data from children.


9. YOUR RIGHTS

Most of your data is stored only on your device and in your own Google Drive, so you control it
directly: you can delete it in the app, by removing the app, or in Google Drive (section 4). For a
problem report you sent us, or any other question about your data, write to caynax@gmail.com.
Depending on where you live (for example in the EU under GDPR), you may have the right to access,
correct or delete your data, and to complain to your local data protection authority.


10. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

If this policy changes, we will publish the new version at this address and change the "Last
updated" date at the top.


If you have any other question, contact us:
caynax@gmail.com