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Privacy Policy

How Messages - SMS Texting handles your information. Package: com.sms.messagesiphone.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

1. Overview

Messages - SMS Texting is a privacy-focused messaging application that prioritizes user data protection. We are committed to transparency about how we handle your information and ensuring your messaging experience remains secure and private.

2. Information we collect

2.1 Message data

  • SMS and MMS messages you send and receive
  • Message metadata (timestamps, sender/recipient information)
  • Message content stored locally on your device only
  • Thread organization and categorization data

2.2 Contact information

  • Access to your device's contact list for messaging functionality
  • Contact names, phone numbers, and profile photos
  • Contact synchronization for message organization
  • Recent contact suggestions based on messaging patterns

2.3 Location data

  • Current location when you explicitly choose to share location
  • Location pins you place on maps for sharing
  • Location data is only shared when you actively initiate sharing
  • No background location tracking

2.4 Device and usage data

  • Device type and operating system version
  • Unique device identifiers for app functionality
  • Network status and connectivity information
  • Usage statistics and crash reports collected through Google Firebase (Analytics and Crashlytics), which do not include your message content
  • Advertising data (such as your device's advertising ID and IP address) processed by Google AdMob to show and measure ads, subject to your consent choices

3. How we use your information

3.1 Core app functionality

  • Send and receive SMS/MMS messages
  • Organize and categorize your messages automatically
  • Provide contact suggestions and management
  • Enable location sharing features when requested
  • Display notifications for new messages

3.2 App improvement

  • Analyze aggregated usage statistics to enhance features
  • Fix bugs and improve app performance
  • Develop new messaging capabilities based on user needs
  • Optimize app speed and reliability

3.3 Essential communication

  • Send important app updates and notifications
  • Respond to user feedback and support requests
  • Provide relevant app information and tips

4. Data storage and security

4.1 Local storage first

  • All message content is stored locally on your device
  • Messages are not uploaded to external servers
  • Contact information remains on your device
  • You have complete control over your data

4.2 Security measures

  • Messages are stored in Android's SMS/MMS storage on your device and protected by your device's own security features
  • Your Chat Lock PIN and security-question answer are never stored in readable form: only a salted one-way hash tied to your device is kept, and the lock settings, PIN data and message caches are excluded from cloud backups and device transfers
  • Network requests made by the app (for example to load maps or ads) use secure connections where the service supports them
  • Optional Chat Lock protects private conversations with a PIN, fingerprint or face unlock on supported devices
  • Note: SMS and MMS are delivered by your mobile carrier and are not end-to-end encrypted

4.3 Data retention

  • Messages retained until manually deleted by you
  • Recently deleted items kept for 40 days for recovery
  • Automatic cleanup of expired deleted items
  • No automatic data mining or analysis

5. Third-party services

5.1 Google services (limited and anonymous)

  • Firebase Analytics: usage statistics to help us improve the app
  • Firebase Crashlytics: crash reports and diagnostics, without message content
  • Google AdMob: advertising. AdMob may collect device identifiers and similar data to serve and measure ads. Where required, we ask for your consent through Google's consent form, and you can review your choices under Settings > Manage Consent. No ad is requested until your consent choice has been made. We do not give advertisers your message content or contacts.
  • Google Play services (including location services): used to get your current location when you choose to share it
  • OpenStreetMap: map tiles are downloaded from OpenStreetMap servers to display the location picker, which means your device makes network requests to load map images
  • Your device's speech recognition service: used only if you tap the microphone for voice search. Audio is handled by that service under its own privacy policy, and Messages does not record or store it

5.2 Telecommunication providers

  • Your mobile carrier for SMS/MMS delivery
  • Standard telecommunication protocols
  • Required for message routing and delivery

6. What we do not do

We never:

  • Sell your personal information to third parties
  • Share message content with advertisers
  • Transfer your data to data brokers
  • Use your messages for targeted advertising
  • Upload your conversations to cloud servers
  • Scan your messages for commercial purposes
  • Share your contact list with third parties

7. Your rights and choices

7.1 Data control

  • Delete messages at any time
  • Block unwanted contacts
  • Manage app permissions through device settings
  • Export a conversation as TXT or PDF
  • Clear app data completely

7.2 Privacy settings

  • Control notification preferences
  • Manage location sharing settings
  • Configure message organization rules

7.3 Legal rights

  • Request a copy of your data
  • Correct inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of any personal data we hold about you (subject to legal requirements)
  • Manage your ad consent choices in Settings > Manage Consent

8. Children's privacy

Our app is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware of such collection, we will take immediate steps to delete the information.

9. International users

Your messages and contacts stay on your device. Analytics, crash and advertising data handled by Google services may be processed in countries other than your own, under Google's own safeguards and terms. We aim to respect applicable privacy laws, including the GDPR and the CCPA, where they apply to us.

10. Security commitment

We work to keep the app secure by keeping messages on your device, requesting only the permissions the app needs, offering optional Chat Lock and App Lock, and releasing updates to fix problems we find. No app or network can be guaranteed to be perfectly secure.

11. Policy updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will:

  • Notify users of significant changes through the app
  • Post updated policy on app store listings
  • Provide clear summaries of changes
  • Allow reasonable time for users to review changes

12. Contact information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

We typically respond within 48 hours for privacy-related inquiries.

13. Legal compliance

We aim to handle personal data in line with applicable privacy laws, such as the GDPR, the CCPA and PIPEDA, where they apply. If you believe your rights have not been respected, contact us using the details above.

14. Data portability

You have the right to request:

  • Export of a conversation in readable format (TXT or PDF, available in the app)
  • Information about any personal data we hold about you
  • Deletion of that data. The app has no user accounts; your messages and contacts are on your device and you can delete them in the app or by clearing app data

15. App-specific privacy notes

Message security

  • Messages are stored on your device using Android's own storage and security features
  • SMS and MMS travel over your carrier's network and are not end-to-end encrypted by this app
  • No message content analysis for advertising

Contact privacy

  • Contact access limited to messaging functionality
  • No contact data sharing with third parties
  • Contact suggestions processed locally on device

Location privacy

  • Location is only requested when you choose to share it
  • No background location tracking
  • The app does not keep a location history. A location you send is part of that message, like any other message you send

Analytics privacy

  • No message content is included in analytics or crash reports
  • Analytics are collected through Firebase and are used in aggregate to improve the app

16. Permissions the app uses

Messages requests these Android permissions. You can change them at any time in your device settings, though some features will stop working.

  • SMS (read, send, receive) and MMS: to send, receive and show your messages
  • Contacts: to show contact names and let you choose recipients and share contact cards
  • Phone state: to detect your SIM cards for dual-SIM sending
  • Notifications: to alert you to new messages
  • Camera and photos/media: only to take or attach pictures and files you choose to send
  • Location (approximate or precise): only when you choose to share your location
  • Microphone: only for voice search, when you tap the microphone
  • Biometrics: only for fingerprint or face unlock of locked chats or the app
  • Phone (call): only when you tap to call a contact
  • Exact alarms and vibration: to send scheduled messages on time and to vibrate for new messages
  • Internet and network state: for MMS, maps, ads and analytics