HikeFolio Privacy Policy

01 · Overview

Privacy from the trailhead.

HikeFolio is a local-first outdoor portfolio, route tracker, field journal, and expedition archive for iPhone and iPad. You do not need an account. You may use the app locally without signing in, and optional features remain under your control.

HikeFolio does not operate a custom user-data server. The developer does not collect HikeFolio app user data, sell user data, run ads, use third-party analytics SDKs, or track users across apps or websites.

02 · Local-First Design

Local use is the default.

HikeFolio stores user-created records primarily on your device using Apple platform storage. Core features are available without a HikeFolio account or Sign in with Apple. If you choose not to enable private iCloud sync, your supported HikeFolio records remain local to that device.

03 · Information Stored on the Device

The records you create.

Depending on the features you use, on-device HikeFolio content may include:

• Profile preferences and optional profile information.
• Movement summaries, dates, distance, duration, and elevation.
• Adventures, journal notes, checklists, and linked records.
• Observations, category-specific details, field notes, and photos.
• Active and completed Offline Field Sessions and locally saved waypoints.
• Notification preferences and other app settings.
• Authorized Apple Health readings and imported workout records cached locally for portfolio features.

04 · Apple Health

Optional and read-only.

Apple Health integration is optional. After you choose to connect, HikeFolio may request read-only access to supported workouts, steps, and resting heart rate. Denying access does not disable unrelated HikeFolio features.

You can review or revoke access in Apple’s Health app. Removing an imported Health record from HikeFolio removes the local HikeFolio import; it does not change the source record in Apple Health.

05 · Location and Background Location

Only while you are actively tracking.

HikeFolio uses location for a standard route-tracking session or an Offline Field Session that you deliberately start. Location supports your live position, distance, elevation, heading, GPS quality, maps while available, waypoint recording, and straight-line directional guidance.

With permission, background location allows that visible session to continue while HikeFolio is in the background or your device is locked. Location updates stop when you stop, save, or discard the session. HikeFolio does not use location for continuous background monitoring, advertising, or cross-app tracking.

Offline Field Mode does not download maps and does not provide turn-by-turn navigation. Sensor and GPS accuracy can vary, and no navigation or location result is guaranteed.

06 · Photos and Camera

Access follows your action.

HikeFolio accesses the camera or photo library only after an explicit action, such as taking or selecting a photo, choosing a profile image, or saving an Expedition Card. HikeFolio may create an app-managed, compressed copy of an image you select.

Deleting a HikeFolio record or its app-managed copy does not delete the original image from your Apple Photos library. When private iCloud sync is enabled, supported app-managed photos may sync as private CloudKit assets in your Apple iCloud account.

07 · Routes, Adventures, Observations, and Field Data

Your outdoor archive.

HikeFolio processes the details you enter so it can organize your Movement Portfolio, Observation Portfolio, Adventures, journal notes, observations, Expedition Cards, Offline Field Sessions, and waypoints. This content is stored locally and may privately sync when you enable iCloud for supported records.

During an active route session, coordinates support the live map and activity calculations. When the session is completed, HikeFolio retains the activity summary and any supported Adventure relationship, not a detailed route polyline.

08 · Notifications

Local reminders you choose.

Daily HikeFolio Wisdom notifications are optional local notifications. If you enable them and grant permission, HikeFolio schedules dated Wisdom notifications on your device for the time you select. You may change the time, turn the feature off, or manage permission in Apple Settings.

09 · Live Activities

Transient active-session details.

On supported devices, qualifying user-started route and Offline Field Sessions may display transient details on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. These may include elapsed time, distance, GPS quality, waypoint count, and guidance status. Live Activities end with the session or when iOS removes them.

10 · Optional Sign in with Apple

No HikeFolio password required.

Sign in with Apple is optional and uses Apple’s authentication service. HikeFolio does not create a custom password account or use a third-party account provider. You may continue locally without signing in.

11 · Optional Private iCloud Sync

Your private Apple account.

If you enable iCloud sync, supported HikeFolio records and app-managed photos may be transmitted to and stored in your private Apple iCloud account using CloudKit. HikeFolio does not route that content through a custom HikeFolio user-data server. Health-derived state is excluded.

Sync depends on Apple services, connectivity, storage, device state, and conflict resolution. HikeFolio does not promise immediate or conflict-free synchronization, and it does not guarantee that every deletion will immediately propagate to every device.

12 · Data Collection

No developer collection of app data.

HikeFolio does not operate a service that collects your routes, observations, Health information, photos, Adventures, or field data. The developer does not collect HikeFolio user data through the app, and the app does not sell or share user data with data brokers or advertisers.

If you voluntarily email support, your email provider and the recipient’s email service process the message and information you choose to include. Do not include sensitive health or precise location information unless it is necessary and you choose to do so.

13 · Analytics, Advertising, and Tracking

No ads. No third-party analytics.

HikeFolio does not use advertising SDKs, third-party analytics SDKs, or tracking technologies that follow you across other companies’ apps or websites. HikeFolio does not build public profiles, feeds, or leaderboards.

14 · Third-Party Platform Services

Apple services you control.

HikeFolio uses Apple platform capabilities such as Core Location, MapKit, HealthKit, Photos, ActivityKit, Sign in with Apple, and CloudKit when their related features are used. Apple processes those services under its own terms and privacy policies. Availability and behavior may vary by device, system version, region, permissions, and account.

15 · Data Deletion

Remove records from HikeFolio.

You can delete supported user-created records inside HikeFolio. You can remove local app data by deleting records or deleting the app. Deleting an app-managed photo does not delete the original from your Photos library. Deleting a Health import does not delete the source record in Apple Health.

If private iCloud sync is enabled, synchronization and deletion depend on Apple’s CloudKit service and may not appear immediately on every device. Disabling sync does not by itself guarantee immediate removal of previously synced records from every device or iCloud.

16 · Children’s Privacy

A general-audience outdoor tool.

HikeFolio is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children through a HikeFolio-operated service. Parents and guardians should supervise device permissions, location use, and optional Apple services for younger users.

17 · Data Security

Protected by the Apple platforms you use.

HikeFolio relies on iOS and iPadOS protections for local app storage and on Apple’s iCloud and account protections for optional sync. Keep your device software, passcode, Apple Account, and recovery methods secure.

No storage or transmission method is guaranteed to be perfectly secure. HikeFolio does not claim custom encryption beyond the protections provided by Apple platforms and iCloud.

18 · Changes to This Policy

Updates stay visible.

This policy may change as HikeFolio, Apple platform requirements, or applicable practices evolve. Material updates will be reflected on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use after an update is subject to the policy then in effect.

19 · Contact

Questions about privacy?