Privacy Policy

Latch works entirely offline. While we refer to "data" for clarity, it is important to understand that we do not collect, see, or transmit any of your data. Latch contains no networking code, so it has no way to send anything off your Mac.

The information Latch keeps locally, inside its sandboxed container on your Mac, includes:

Everything Latch stores is used only on your Mac, to play animations, run the actions you set up, and show your lid journal. Your data is never sold, shared, or used for advertising, analytics, or profiling.

The lid journal keeps a rolling 45 days of history and older entries are removed automatically. If you choose Copy CSV in the Journal tab, Latch places a copy on your clipboard; what happens to it after that is up to you.

Lid sensor. To follow the lid as it moves, Latch reads the MacBook's built-in hinge angle sensor and the lid open/closed switch. It reads an angle in degrees and nothing else.

Screen Recording (optional). A few animations (CRT, Genie, Drain and Duo) bend or warp what is already on your screen. For those, macOS asks you to allow Screen Recording.

Screen Recording is never required. Every other animation works without it, and these four still play without the picture if you decline. You can turn the permission off at any time in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording.

Launch at login. If you turn this on, Latch registers itself with macOS as a login item. You can remove it in Latch's settings or in System Settings → General → Login Items.

Actions let Latch change things on your Mac when the lid crosses an angle: mute or unmute, set the volume, dim the screen, or run a Shortcut. These happen locally and only when you have set them up.

When an action runs a Shortcut, Latch asks the Shortcuts app to run it by name. What that Shortcut does, including any data it reads or sends, is defined by you in the Shortcuts app and is outside Latch's control.

Latch also offers Shortcuts actions of its own (such as the lid angle, whether the lid is open, and today's opens and time open). This information is only handed to a Shortcut that you build and run on your Mac.

How long is your data stored? Settings and action rules stay on your Mac until you delete them. Lid journal entries are kept for 45 days and then removed automatically. Latch keeps a short activity log in memory to help troubleshoot animations; it is never written to a file and disappears when the app quits.

How to delete your data: You are in control of your data. You can delete it using either of the following methods:

Latch does not use any third-party analytics (like Google Analytics or Firebase Analytics), advertisement SDKs, crash reporters, or trackers. The only outside services involved are provided by Apple as part of macOS:

• Apple StoreKit: Handles the optional in-app purchase. Payment is processed entirely by Apple; Latch only learns whether the upgrade is unlocked, never your payment details or Apple ID.
• Apple crash reports: If you have chosen to share analytics with app developers in macOS settings, Apple may share anonymous crash reports with us under Apple's privacy policy. You can turn this off in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements.

Latch does not collect any personal data and is safe for users of all ages. Because we do not collect any personal information, we do not knowingly solicit or request data from children under the age of 13.

If we update this privacy policy, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Because we do not collect contact details, we cannot notify users directly. Please check this page to stay informed of updates.