DetectBuddy is designed so your saved detecting records stay private and on your device.
1. Introduction
DetectBuddy helps metal detectorists record finds, organise collections, plan detecting activity, and track detecting routes.
Your privacy is important. DetectBuddy is built with a privacy-first approach where your detecting data is stored locally on your device. DetectBuddy does not require a user account and does not collect profile details such as your name, email address, or contact information.
2. Data Stored on Your Device
Data you create in DetectBuddy is stored locally on your device, including:
- Find notes, titles, descriptions, dates, and other details you enter
- Photos and videos you attach to finds, routes, collections, or journeys
- Collections and collection display cards
- Detecting routes and route recordings
- Map locations linked to finds, routes, planned areas, or journeys
- Imported files, exported files, and locally generated collection or route archives
- App settings and preferences
- LiDAR settings and, where applicable, your five-minute LiDAR preview-usage record
DetectBuddy does not upload your detecting data to DetectBuddy servers. DetectBuddy does not operate external servers for storing your finds, routes, photos, videos, notes, collections, or detecting locations.
3. Data DetectBuddy Does Not Collect
DetectBuddy does not collect, store, or transmit the following to DetectBuddy servers:
- Personal profile information such as your name, email address, or contact details
- User account details, because DetectBuddy does not use user accounts
- Your detecting locations
- Your routes, planned areas, or map history
- Your find notes, photos, videos, or collection contents
- Third-party analytics, advertising, or behavioural tracking data
4. Location and Background Route Tracking
DetectBuddy uses location permission to place finds on the map, record detecting routes, show your position while detecting, and support route planning features.
When you actively start a route recording, DetectBuddy may continue recording your route while the app is open, in the background, or while your device is locked. This is used only to support active detecting route recording. Location recording is controlled by you and can be stopped from within the app.
Location data recorded by DetectBuddy is stored locally on your device. DetectBuddy does not send your recorded detecting locations or route history to DetectBuddy servers.
If you view a LiDAR map layer centred on your current position, requests for imagery of the viewed map area may indicate your approximate location to the imagery provider, as described in section 6.
5. Camera, Photos, and Videos
DetectBuddy may request access to your camera so you can take photos or videos of finds and detecting memories directly in the app.
DetectBuddy may request access to your photo library so you can attach existing photos or videos to your finds, routes, collections, or journeys.
Photos and videos you add to DetectBuddy are stored locally on your device and are not shared unless you choose to export or share them.
6. Services Used by DetectBuddy
DetectBuddy does not use third-party analytics, third-party advertising services, or third-party tracking services.
DetectBuddy uses these Apple services and system frameworks for certain app features:
- Apple Location Services: used to determine your position for map, find-location, route-recording, and planning features.
- Apple MapKit / Apple Maps: used to display maps and map-based app features.
- Apple WeatherKit: used to show weather information relevant to detecting and route planning. Weather requests may use your location or a selected map location to return local weather conditions.
- Apple StoreKit / App Store: used to process DetectBuddy PRO purchases and subscriptions.
- Face ID / Touch ID, where available: used for optional App Lock access through Apple’s local authentication system.
Apple services are provided by Apple and are subject to Apple’s own privacy practices. DetectBuddy does not receive or store your Apple ID password, payment card details, Face ID data, or Touch ID data.
Optional LiDAR and historical map imagery: When you enable a LiDAR layer, your device requests imagery for the area and zoom level shown on the map directly from the Environment Agency for England or the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for supported US areas. The optional historical map layer requests imagery from MapTiler. These requests identify the viewed map area and may expose ordinary connection information, such as your IP address, to the provider. If the map follows or is centred on your position, the requested area may reveal your approximate location. The providers handle request information according to their own privacy practices, linked above.
DetectBuddy does not upload your saved finds, route recordings, notes, photos, or videos to these map providers. LiDAR coverage availability is checked on your device using data bundled with the app, rather than by sending your location to a coverage-check service. Your LiDAR settings and preview-usage record are stored locally on your device.
7. Subscriptions and Payments
DetectBuddy PRO subscriptions and purchases are processed by Apple through the App Store using Apple StoreKit.
DetectBuddy does not process payments directly and does not receive or store your payment card details. Subscription status may be checked through Apple’s App Store systems so the app can unlock PRO features after purchase.
8. Exporting, Importing, and Sharing
DetectBuddy may allow you to import, export, generate, or share your own data, including CSV files, GPX files, ZIP collection archives, route data, and photos or videos.
Exports are created from data stored on your device. DetectBuddy does not automatically share these files. They are shared only when you choose to use an export, share, backup, or send action.
If you share exported files, QR codes, links, screenshots, photos, videos, or collection cards with another person or service, the shared content may include information you added in the app, such as find details, route information, images, and location data. You are responsible for deciding what to share and who to share it with.
9. App Lock and Local Security
DetectBuddy includes optional App Lock protection to help shield private detecting information, including sensitive find locations and route history, from being viewed by others who may access your device.
App Lock is handled on your device. DetectBuddy does not send your PIN, App Lock key, Face ID data, or Touch ID data to DetectBuddy servers.
10. No iCloud Sync
DetectBuddy does not provide iCloud Sync for app data. Your DetectBuddy data is stored locally on your device.
Depending on your device settings, locally stored app data may be included in your normal Apple device backup. Apple device backup behaviour is controlled by your iOS and iCloud settings.
11. Data Deletion
You can delete your DetectBuddy data within the app. This may include deleting finds, photos, videos, collections, routes, planned areas, and other locally stored content.
Deleting the app will remove locally stored DetectBuddy data from your device unless that data remains in a device backup or in files you previously exported or shared.
If you exported data to CSV, GPX, ZIP, photos, videos, or another file location, deleting the app will not automatically delete those separate exported files.
12. Children's Privacy
DetectBuddy is intended for a general audience and is not specifically directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
13. Changes to This Policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. Changes will be reflected by the “Last updated” date above.
14. Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact: support@detectbuddy.com