What we store — and
where it stays
All data is stored locally using Android DataStore and Room. Nothing is transmitted to external servers, cloud services, or third parties of any kind.
| Data | Why it's stored | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Vault contentyour quote, goals, reason, music title | Shown on the pause overlay to reconnect you with your goals at the exact moment of temptation | Device only (Android DataStore) |
| Restricted apps & daily budgets | To know which apps to pause and for how long | Device only (Android DataStore) |
| Vibe & palette choice | To render your chosen theme across all screens — including the overlay, with no flash | Device only (DataStore + SharedPreferences mirror) |
| Interception outcomeswalked away vs. proceeded, timestamp, reason category | Powers your dashboard's mindful-pause count, walk-away rate, and time reclaimed | Device only (Room database) |
| Streak & wins | Tracks consecutive walk-away days for motivation | Device only (Android DataStore) |
| Schedule & focus session | Bedtime blocking window and lock-in timer settings | Device only (Android DataStore) |
Honest numbers from
Android itself
MindGate reads screen time directly from Android's UsageStatsManager API — the same source your phone's own Digital Wellbeing uses. This means the numbers always match, because they come from the same place.
- Read in real time on your device, never stored permanently
- Queried fresh each time you open the dashboard
- Never transmitted to any server or third party
- Never used for profiling, targeting, or advertising
PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS is a sensitive Android permission that requires you to manually grant access in Settings. MindGate cannot read any usage data without your explicit approval. You can revoke it at any time.
What it sees —
and what it doesn't
MindGate uses Android's Accessibility Service to detect which app enters the foreground, so the pause overlay appears at exactly the right moment. This is the primary and fastest detection method.
- Only observes
TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGEDevents — which app opened - Never reads screen content, text fields, passwords, or clipboard data
- Never reads any user input or interaction
- Nothing observed is recorded, stored, or transmitted
- Used solely to trigger the mindful-pause overlay on your restricted apps
This is described exactly this way in the accessibility service's own declaration: "MindGate detects when restricted apps are opened to show a mindful pause. No screen content is ever read or recorded."
Your music stays
on your device
If you pick a focus anthem in the Soul Vault, MindGate stores a URI reference to the local audio file — just a file path. The audio file itself stays on your device and is never uploaded, copied, or transmitted anywhere.
The READ_MEDIA_AUDIO permission is requested solely to let you browse your local music library and pick a song. MindGate does not access any audio files except the one you deliberately choose.
Every permission —
and exactly why
| Permission | Why it's needed |
|---|---|
| PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS | Read per-app usage time from Android OS for the dashboard and daily limit enforcement |
| SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW | Draw the mindful-pause overlay on top of restricted apps |
| FOREGROUND_SERVICE | Keep the app monitor running while you use your phone |
| FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE | Required by Android 14+ for foreground services that monitor app usage |
| RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED | Restart the monitor automatically when your device reboots |
| POST_NOTIFICATIONS | Show a silent persistent notification required by Android for foreground services |
| READ_MEDIA_AUDIO | Let you pick a local song as your focus anthem in the Soul Vault |
| Accessibility Service | Detect which app enters the foreground to trigger the mindful-pause overlay |
The things MindGate
will never do
Kept off Google's
backup servers
MindGate explicitly excludes your DataStore preferences — Soul Vault content, goals, restricted apps, streak data — from Google cloud backup. This is enforced in data_extraction_rules.xml and backup_rules.xml, which means your personal content never reaches Google's servers even if you have auto-backup enabled.
Direct device-to-device transfers (for example, when you upgrade your phone) are permitted — your data moves only between devices you control, never through a cloud intermediary.
Built safe
by design
MindGate does not knowingly collect data from anyone, including children under 13. Because no personal data is collected from any user at any age, the app is inherently compliant with COPPA and equivalent children's privacy regulations worldwide.
If this policy
ever changes
Any material changes will be posted on this page and reflected in the Play Store listing. The effective date at the top will be updated. Continued use of MindGate after a change is posted means you accept the revised policy.
We don't anticipate this policy changing much — there's not a lot to say when you don't collect data.
Questions about
this policy?
Reach out. We're building this for you and happy to answer anything.