Last Updated: 2026-09-07
This Privacy Policy explains how Roderick Kar (“we,” “us,” or “our”) handles information when you use Focus & Hold, including the iPhone app, Apple Watch app, and browser app. Storage depends on the version and platform you use. The iCloud and Watch Unlock features described below apply to version 1.1 and later of the native apps.
1. Information and storage
- No app account: Focus & Hold does not require a developer account, email address, login, or profile. Apple's own accounts are used for iCloud and App Store services.
- No advertising or tracking: The apps do not include advertising SDKs, analytics, or tracking technologies.
- Native app data: Timer settings, tags, session titles, activity types, start/end times, active and paused durations, and non-HealthKit timer summaries are stored on your devices. On iPhone, tags and session history also synchronize through your private iCloud database when iCloud is available. Calendar identifiers, Calendar permission state, and active timers remain local to the device.
- Browser app data: The browser app stores preferences, tags, and history in browser storage on the device. It does not synchronize with native-app history or iCloud. Backup and calendar files are created only when you export them; you control where you save or share them.
- No developer database of session data: We do not receive your app history, HealthKit measurements, or Calendar contents on our servers. Apple operates the iCloud, Health, and App Store services described here. The website's hosting provider processes the network requests needed to deliver the website and browser app.
- Support: If you email us, we receive the information you choose to include.
2. How data is used
The apps use data to run Focus countdowns and Stopwatches, guide Hold intervals, save tags and history, synchronize native history, display workout information on Apple Watch, optionally save workouts to Apple Health, optionally export completed sessions to Calendar, and deliver local completion notifications. Running timers remain independent on each device.
3. Apple Health (HealthKit)
With your permission, Apple Watch reads heart rate and workout-related energy data and saves completed workouts and energy data to Apple Health. Live heart rate and the immediate completion summary are displayed on Watch. Health measurements and saved Health workouts are managed by Apple Health under your Health settings.
The updated apps do not include HealthKit-derived heart-rate measurements in the app's iCloud history, WatchConnectivity history payloads, or new Calendar exports. Earlier versions included average heart rate in some history summaries and Calendar events. On upgrade, the apps remove those generated heart-rate summaries from their retained history and sanitize older incoming records. Removal of copies already synchronized through iCloud propagates when synchronization is available. Update all your devices; older app versions can retain older copies. Previously exported Calendar events are not changed automatically and can be removed in Calendar.
We do not sell HealthKit data or use it for advertising, marketing, analytics, profiling, or data mining. We do not receive your HealthKit measurements. Apple's own Health synchronization is separate from the app's history synchronization.
4. Calendar
Calendar export is optional. On iPhone, the app requests write-only Calendar access after you choose to proceed. It writes completed session titles, start/end times, and timer summaries; Stopwatch notes may include active and paused time. It does not read your calendar. Your calendar provider may synchronize events according to your Calendar settings. Turning off export stops future exports; it does not remove events already written. The browser app offers downloadable calendar files without direct access to your calendar.
5. Notifications and permissions
Completion notifications are handled by your device and Apple's operating systems. We do not receive your notification history. You may decline or revoke Health, Calendar, and notification permissions in system settings. Timing remains available without Health or Calendar permission. Manage iCloud access in your Apple account's iCloud settings.
6. Sharing
We do not sell personal information. Native history synchronizes through Apple's private iCloud service associated with your Apple account. Health and Calendar information is handled by those services according to your permissions and settings. Files you export or messages you send may be shared with the recipients you choose. Support information may be disclosed when needed to answer your request or when required by law.
7. Payments
Version 1.1 and later offers the complete iPhone app free with an optional one-time Watch Unlock purchase. Eligible original paid-app owners retain Watch access, and eligible purchases support Family Sharing. Apple processes purchases, refunds, and sharing eligibility. The app checks verified purchase information and caches Watch-access status for offline use. We do not receive or store full payment-card details.
8. Retention and deletion
Native history remains until you delete it in the app. Apple Watch may prune older settled history while iPhone retains the complete archive. Use History to delete individual sessions or all sessions; iPhone history deletions synchronize through iCloud when available, and the paired devices exchange deletion information when connected. Tags can be edited or archived separately.
Deleting the app alone does not delete its private iCloud data. Cloud history may return when you reinstall or use another device with the same Apple account. Delete unwanted history within the app while iCloud is available, allow synchronization to complete, and use Apple's iCloud storage controls if you want to remove the app's remaining cloud data. Turning off iCloud synchronization alone does not delete existing cloud copies. Offline devices, backups, and older app versions may retain copies until they reconnect, are updated, or are removed separately.
Saved Health workouts and Calendar events are separate: deleting app history does not delete either. Remove them in Apple Health or Calendar. Remove browser data using the browser app's data controls or your browser's site-data settings, and delete exported files wherever you saved them. We cannot retrieve your private iCloud, device, Health, or Calendar records or remove them for you. Support emails may be retained as needed to provide support, keep records, or meet legal obligations.
9. Security
We use Apple's platform controls, private iCloud storage, and device or browser storage. No system guarantees complete security. Protect your devices and Apple account, and take care when exporting or sharing files.
10. Children
Focus & Hold is not directed to children under 13.
11. Changes
We may update this policy. Material changes will be reflected in the update date and, where appropriate, an additional notice.
12. Contact
For privacy questions, contact uncle@rod.hk.