Privacy Policy

1. Scope and website

This policy covers Sorbet Launcher’s launcher, app drawer, built-in widgets, layout copy, backup and Sorbet Plus functions. It does not replace the privacy policies of your calendar provider, installed apps, icon packs, third-party widgets, browser, app store, device backup provider or network provider.

This website uses no advertising, analytics or tracking cookies. If you switch between light and dark mode, your browser saves only that site-theme preference locally on your device. As with most websites, hosting and network providers process standard connection details such as IP address, request time and requested URL to deliver the page.

2. Information Sorbet processes on your phone

Sorbet’s core features work locally. “On-device” below describes what the Sorbet code does; it does not override Android’s backup facility, a destination you choose for an export, or another provider’s own syncing.

3. When Sorbet connects to external services

3.1 Open-Meteo weather and place search

The starter layout can include Sorbet’s weather card. When weather is used, the app requests forecasts from api.open-meteo.com. The initial location is Sydney, so a request can use Sydney’s coordinates before you choose another place. Forecast requests include the selected latitude/longitude, temperature unit and requested weather fields. Forecasts are cached in memory for up to 30 minutes before another request is needed.

When you search for a place, your typed place name is sent to geocoding-api.open-meteo.com. The selected place’s coordinates are then used for forecasts. Sorbet does not request Android’s precise or coarse device-location permission and does not send calendar events, app usage or notification data to Open-Meteo.

Open-Meteo and your network provider necessarily receive technical connection information such as your IP address. Open-Meteo’s current privacy terms say its free API may keep troubleshooting web server logs, which can include geographical coordinates, for up to 90 days. Read Open-Meteo’s Terms & Privacy for its current practices.

3.2 Google Play Billing and Sorbet Plus

Sorbet initialises Google Play Billing and checks the Plus product and purchase/ownership status at app startup, when restoring or buying Plus, and periodically when returning to the home screen. This can contact Google Play even if you have not purchased Plus, where Google Play is available.

Google Play handles the purchase flow, Google account and payment information. Sorbet receives product details and purchase information needed to verify, acknowledge and restore entitlement, including purchase state, product ID, purchase token, original purchase JSON and signature. The app stores only a local entitlement flag; it does not send me your card details or maintain a developer purchase server.

Google’s processing is governed by the Google Privacy Policy and your Play/account settings.

3.3 Searches and apps you choose to open

The following actions hand information to another app or provider at your request:

• A web search opens your browser with a Google Search URL containing your query.
• A Play Store search opens the Play Store with your query, or falls back to a web search if no store handles it.
• The global-search gesture opens the device’s search app, or Google’s website if none handles it.
• Tapping the weather widget can open a Google search for “weather” and your selected place name.
• Opening an app, calendar event, shortcut or third-party widget hands the relevant action to that app or provider.

Those services receive and handle the query or action under their own policies. Sorbet does not add advertising or analytics identifiers to these requests.

3.4 Support email

Settings → About → Suggestions and requests opens your chosen email app with a draft to samrusselltech.dev@gmail.com. The draft includes Sorbet’s version, Android version and device model to make bug reports easier to understand. You can edit or remove those details before sending. Sorbet does not transmit the message itself; your email provider sends it only when you choose to send it.

4. Permissions and special access

Android’s permission labels can be broad. Here is how Sorbet uses each one:

Sorbet does not request Contacts, microphone or device-location permissions. A voice-search action is handed to the applicable search app, whose own permissions and policy apply.

5. Backups, exports and device transfer

Backups you export

When you choose Export layout and settings, Android’s document interface lets you choose where to save a JSON file. It can contain your layout, settings, app/profile identifiers, custom labels and icons, launch counts, selected weather place and coordinates, selected calendar IDs and shortcut information. It does not contain your calendar event list, notification history or payment card details.

Saving to a cloud drive, sharing the file or importing one involves the storage/document provider you choose. Treat a backup as personal: your app layout, routines, labels and weather place can reveal information about you. Exported files are outside Sorbet’s app-private storage and are not deleted when you uninstall Sorbet.

Android system backups

6. Retention and deletion

• Local settings: kept until you clear Sorbet’s app data, uninstall it, reset its layout or overwrite/remove the relevant data. Android backups and exported copies can survive uninstall.
• Calendar and notification content: used in memory for the active widgets/badges rather than retained as a Sorbet history. Your original calendar and notifications remain under their own apps’ control.
• Layout-copy undo: the previous layout remains locally until replaced, used for undo or removed with app data.
• Plus entitlement: the local cached flag remains until app data is cleared, Play reports a different ownership state or the app is uninstalled. Google controls its own purchase records.
• Support correspondence: if you email me, I keep the correspondence only as long as reasonably needed for support, records and applicable legal obligations.
• Third parties: Open-Meteo, Google, your backup provider and other services apply their own retention periods and deletion controls.

To remove Sorbet’s local information, use Android’s App info → Storage → Clear data and uninstall Sorbet. Also delete any exported JSON files and unwanted device/cloud backups. Revoking a permission stops future access but does not delete your exported files or data held by another provider.

7. Other apps, widgets and service providers

Sorbet is a home for other software. Installed apps, icon packs, third-party widgets, browsers, calendar providers, search providers, app stores, document providers and backup providers can process information under their own privacy policies. Their presence in Sorbet does not make me the controller of their independent processing.

I do not sell personal information, share it with advertisers or use third-party advertising/analytics SDKs in Sorbet. External service providers used by a feature receive the information described above, along with the technical information inherent in a network request. Their own collection, use and retention are governed by their policies.

Support correspondence

If you email me, I receive your email address, your name if you provide it, your message and any attachments or app and device details you choose to send. I use that information to respond, provide support, improve Sorbet, maintain security and keep appropriate records. Please remove sensitive launcher, calendar, notification, account or payment information before contacting me.

8. Security

Sorbet relies on Android’s app sandbox, app-private storage, runtime permissions and user-approved special access. Open-Meteo requests use HTTPS, and Play Billing is handled through Google’s billing library. Keeping your device updated, using screen lock and protecting exported backups are important parts of protecting your home-screen information.

No software, device backup or network transmission can be guaranteed completely secure. Do not place secrets in custom app labels, shortcut names or other launcher content.

9. Children

Sorbet does not require an account or ask for a user’s age, and I do not knowingly operate a server that collects children’s launcher data. Parents and guardians should manage a child’s device permissions, calendar/widget visibility, location choices, backups, searches and Google Play purchase controls. Contact me if you believe information has been provided to me directly through support.

10. Your choices and privacy rights

You can control most information directly:

• Remove the weather card to stop its forecast feature, or change its selected place.
• Revoke Calendar, Notification or Accessibility access in Android settings.
• Remove calendar widgets and third-party widgets you no longer want on screen.
• Avoid optional web/Play searches and exported/shared backups.
• Clear app data, uninstall Sorbet, and delete exported or system backups separately.
• Manage Play purchases, refunds and account data through Google Play.

Depending on where you live, you may have legal rights to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing of personal information, or to request portability. Most Sorbet information is only on your device, so the controls above are usually the most direct way to exercise those rights. For information sent directly to a third party, contact that provider as well.

You can contact me about information you send for support or about this policy. You may also have the right to complain to your local privacy or data-protection authority.

11. International processing

I am based in Australia. Open-Meteo is operated in Switzerland, and Google, email, hosting, network, document-storage and backup providers can process information in other countries. Their locations, safeguards and legal mechanisms are described in their own policies. Sorbet does not operate its own international user-data server.

12. Changes to this policy

I will update this policy if Sorbet’s features, permissions or service providers change. The “Last updated” date will change, and material updates can be highlighted on the Apps page or in release notes. Review the current policy when installing an update.