SONORAPrivacy Policy
1. On-device audio processing — nothing is recorded
Sonora changes the sound your phone plays (volume boost, equalizer, bass, limiter, 3D Space) by attaching Android’s built-in audio effects to the phone’s audio output. All processing happens on your device. Sonora never records audio, has no microphone permission, cannot hear your conversations, does not read or store the audio signal, and never uploads audio. We operate no servers that process sound.
What is stored on your phone: your sound settings, saved presets and Device Memory profiles (the name and type of each output device, such as “WH-1000XM5 · headphones”, with the sound you chose for it). They stay in the app’s private storage until you delete them or uninstall the app. Cloud backup of this storage is disabled.
2. Permissions
- Modify audio settings — to apply the audio effects to the sound your phone plays.
- Foreground service — while the engine is on, Android shows a notification (with Pause and Turn off) and keeps the effects running when you switch to other apps. You start and stop it.
- Nearby devices (Bluetooth connect) — optional, only to read the name of the connected headphones, speaker or car for Device Memory. Sonora does not scan for devices and does not use Bluetooth for location.
- Notifications — for the engine notification and, for free users who keep it on, one short tip a day.
- Internet — for ads, analytics, purchases and consent. No audio is ever sent over the internet.
Sonora does not use your location, contacts, files or microphone.
3. Analytics and crash reports (Google Firebase)
With your consent where required, we use Google Analytics for Firebase and Firebase Crashlytics to understand how the app is used and to fix crashes. We log anonymous events such as “engine turned on”, “boost level 126–150%”, “preset applied (Rock)”, “device type: headphones”, “paywall viewed” or “purchase completed”, plus device model, OS and app version, approximate region and an app-instance identifier. Device names are never logged; the app enforces this with an allow-list of event parameters. Crash reports contain the error type and stack trace only. Firebase Remote Config is used to tune paywall and ad settings.
4. Advertising (Google AdMob and Unity Ads)
The free version shows ads: a slim banner at the bottom of the Library (presets and devices), an occasional full-screen ad when you leave a secondary screen or after you save a preset, and optional rewarded ads you choose to watch for 30 minutes of Pro sound. Ads are muted, never appear while you are turning a dial or moving a fader, during onboarding or on the paywall, and the volume boost is suspended while a full-screen ad is on screen. Sonora Pro removes all ads.
Ads are served by Google AdMob, with Unity Ads competing through AdMob mediation and serving the banner directly. These partners may collect the advertising ID, device and usage information to serve and measure ads. See Google’s and Unity’s privacy policies.
5. Your choices (GDPR, UK GDPR, Swiss FADP, US state laws)
In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, Sonora asks for your consent through Google’s consent message (IAB TCF) before personalised ads or analytics are used. If you decline, ads are non-personalised and analytics stays off. In US states with privacy laws (such as California, Virginia, Colorado), you can opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information and targeted advertising. You can change your choice at any time in Settings → Privacy choices.
Legal bases (GDPR): consent for analytics and personalised ads; performance of a contract for purchases; legitimate interest for crash diagnostics where consent is not required. You may request access, deletion, correction or portability of data we control, object to processing, or lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority. California residents: we do not sell personal information for money; ad partners may receive identifiers as described above, which you can opt out of in Privacy choices. We do not discriminate against users who exercise their rights.
6. Purchases
Subscriptions and the lifetime purchase are processed by Google Play. We never receive your payment details; Google tells the app whether Pro is active.
7. Retention and deletion
Settings, presets and Device Memory remain on your device until you delete them. Analytics data is retained by Google for up to 14 months. See how to delete your data.
8. Hearing
Sonora can raise the volume above the phone’s normal maximum. Listening to loud sound for long periods can damage hearing; the app asks before going above 150% on headphones.
9. Children
Sonora is not directed to children under 13 (under 16 in the EEA) and we do not knowingly collect their data.
10. Changes
We will update this page if our practices change and revise the date above.