This Privacy Policy explains how the FamilyTree app for iPhone and iPad (“the app”), developed by iDev (“we”, “us”), handles your information.
In short: FamilyTree works entirely on your device. It has no accounts, no servers, no advertising and no analytics or tracking, and it makes no network connections. iDev does not collect, receive or sell any of your information. Your family information only leaves your device when you choose to export or share it.
What the app stores, and where
- Your family trees — names, dates, places, relationships, life events, biographies and notes you enter are stored in the app's private storage on your device.
- Photos you add — photos you pick are cropped, resized and saved inside the app, with location and camera details (EXIF and GPS) removed.
- “This Is Me” — which person you've marked as yourself in each tree is saved on your device.
- Widget — if you use the widget, a short list of upcoming birthdays and anniversaries (names, ages and dates) is saved in a shared area on your device that only FamilyTree and its widget can read.
- Settings — preferences such as which tree is open, appearance, reminder and privacy options, and the “shared by” name you enter when sharing.
Information about other people
Family trees naturally contain information about other people, such as relatives' names, dates and photos. This information stays on your device. Please be considerate about what you record and share, particularly about living relatives.
Permissions
- Photos — chosen with Apple's photo picker, so the app only receives the photos you pick. No photo library permission is requested.
- Camera — used only when you tap Take Photo in Find by Face.
- Notifications — requested only when you turn on reminders. Reminders are local notifications scheduled on your device and may show names and ages unless you turn on “Hide Names in Notifications”.
Find by Face
If you choose or take a photo to find who someone looks like, the face is compared with your tree's profile photos on your device using Apple's Vision framework. That photo is held in memory only and is not saved. No face data is stored or sent anywhere.
When information leaves your device
Only when you choose:
- Backups you export are saved wherever you choose, such as iCloud Drive. Backup files are not encrypted.
- Trees you share are sent by the method you choose (AirDrop, Messages, Mail or another app), under that service's own privacy policy. Anyone who receives a shared tree can read its contents.
- Device backups — iCloud or computer backups of your device include the app's data, unless you turn off Include in Device Backups in the app's Privacy & Data screen.
What we do not do
- We do not collect personal information, usage data, location or device identifiers.
- We do not use analytics, crash-reporting or advertising SDKs, or any third-party code.
- We do not track you across apps or websites, or share data with anyone.
Your privacy controls
- Hide in App Switcher covers the app's screen when it isn't active.
- Hide Names in Notifications keeps names off your Lock Screen.
- Include in Device Backups lets you exclude FamilyTree's data from device backups.
Keeping and deleting your data
Your data stays on your device until you delete it. Privacy & Data › Delete All Data removes every tree, person, photo, scheduled reminder and the widget data. Deleting the app also removes its data from your device (copies may remain in existing device backups or in files you exported or shared).
Purchases
FamilyTree does not contain advertising. If the app is offered for a price or with in-app purchases, payments are processed entirely by Apple through the App Store; we do not receive your payment details.
Children
The app is suitable for all ages and does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children under 13 (or the equivalent age in your country).
Your rights
Because we do not collect or hold your personal information, we have no personal data about you to access, correct or delete — everything is under your control on your device, as described above. If you have questions or wish to exercise any rights you may have under privacy laws such as the GDPR or CCPA, contact us using the details below.
Changes to this policy
If the app's handling of information changes, we will update this policy, post the new version at this address and change the effective date below. Significant changes will also be described in the app's release notes.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your privacy? Email our support email.
Effective date: 1 November 2026