What data does the app handle?
Settings
Tempo, time signature, colors, setlists, sound choice, audio offset, footswitch mappings — stored locally on your device using Android's DataStore. They never leave the device, except possibly via Android's own system backup if you have that enabled (see "Backups" below).
Ableton Link networking (only if you enable Ableton Link)
When enabled, the app participates in a peer-to-peer session on your local Wi-Fi network to synchronize tempo with other Link-enabled applications. The network traffic contains:
- A random session identifier generated per app launch
- The current tempo (BPM)
- Timing data for beat alignment
It does not contain your name, email, device identifier, location, or any other personal data. Network traffic stays inside your local Wi-Fi network — nothing is sent to Ableton's servers or to ours.
Bluetooth band sync (only if you enable Bluetooth Sync / band mode)
When enabled, the app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to discover and connect to other nearby devices running this app, so a band can share one tempo and meter. The exchanged data contains only:
- A random session identifier generated per app launch
- Tempo, time signature, accents, and the current song title
It does not contain your name, email, contacts, precise location, or any other personal data, and nothing is sent to the internet. Bluetooth scanning is declared with the "neverForLocation" flag, meaning the app does not and cannot use Bluetooth to derive your location.
Chord PDF scan recognition (only if you convert a scan)
The PDF image and recognized text are processed entirely on your device by Google ML Kit and are not sent to Google or to us. Google Play services downloads and updates the OCR model. ML Kit sends encrypted technical metrics such as device/app information, identifiers, performance, API configuration, input/output sizes, feature events and error codes to Google for diagnostics and usage analytics; Google states that these metrics are not shared with third parties. See ML Kit Terms & Privacy and ML Kit's Android data disclosure.
What permissions does the app request?
- SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW (Display over other apps): Required to show the floating metronome dot. No data collection.
- POST_NOTIFICATIONS (Android 13+): Required to keep the metronome running in the background via a foreground service notification.
- FOREGROUND_SERVICE / FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK: Lets the metronome keep producing audio reliably while the app is in the background or the screen is off.
- WAKE_LOCK: Keeps the audio thread alive during playback so the metronome doesn't drift when the screen is off.
- REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS: Optional. Used only to offer a one-time prompt asking Android not to pause the metronome during long live sessions. You can decline; the app still works.
- INTERNET / ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE / CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATE: Used by Ableton Link and the optional Companion feature for local-network discovery, and by Google Play services to download/update the optional ML Kit OCR model and send the technical metrics described above. Chord PDF images and recognized text are not uploaded.
- BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE / BLUETOOTH_CONNECT / BLUETOOTH_SCAN: Used only by the optional Bluetooth band-sync feature to discover and connect to other devices running this app on stage. Scanning is flagged "neverForLocation". On Android 11 and older, the system also requires the legacy BLUETOOTH / BLUETOOTH_ADMIN and (for scanning) ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permissions; the app does not use location data for anything and never stores or transmits a location.
Backups
If you have Android's system backup enabled (Google account backup), Android may include this app's local settings in that backup. This is handled entirely by the Android operating system; the app itself does not upload anything. No personal data is involved — only your metronome preferences.
Third-party services
The app uses Google ML Kit only for the on-device scan recognition described above. Apart from ML Kit's technical diagnostics and usage metrics, the app does not use:
- General-purpose app analytics (no Google Analytics or Firebase Analytics)
- Crash reporting (no Crashlytics, no Sentry, no equivalents)
- Advertising (no ad SDKs)
- Cloud storage (no Firebase, no backups to external services)
- User accounts or authentication
- The microphone or camera
Children
This app does not knowingly collect any data from anyone, including children. It is safe for general audiences.
Website contact form
If you choose to use the contact form, the website processes the name, email address, subject and message you enter so we can receive and answer your request. Submission is voluntary. The form is handled by a server-side Firebase function and a configured mail provider; it is delivered to the SyncPulse support mailbox. The function does not write form content to a database. Hosting, function and mail providers may keep limited technical logs needed for security and reliable delivery, and the received email remains in the support mailbox only as long as reasonably needed to handle the conversation or meet legal obligations.
The website does not use advertising pixels or analytics. Do not include passwords, payment details or other sensitive information in the message. You can ask to access or delete a contact message by emailing info@syncpulse.band.
Changes to this policy
This page is the current version of the policy and the "Last updated" date at the top reflects the latest change. The sections about the app are also bundled with the app itself and can be read offline under Settings; the app copy is updated with the next app release, so its date can be older when only website processing has changed.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent to: info@syncpulse.band