Information stored by Backmark
Memories, Boards, Board covers, recognized text, titles, descriptions, tags, topics, source links, places you add, map pictures, Library tiles and their icons, and attachments you choose to save are stored locally on your device in the app and its iOS Share Extension container. If you enter an optional name or nickname, it is stored only on your iPhone and used for greetings.
A saved link only points to the original. If the original is deleted or made private, the link stops opening, but what Backmark saved stays on your iPhone and an export keeps a copy.
On-device processing
When you save a screenshot or image, Backmark uses Apple Vision on your device to recognize visible text so it can be searched. On compatible iPhones with Apple Intelligence turned on, Backmark can use Apple’s on-device Foundation Models to suggest titles, summaries, and tags, to sort imported bookmarks into topics, and, in Board studio, to answer questions using only the Memories in a Board you choose or to write a caption, trip plan, checklist, or summary from those Memories. Board studio never looks anything up online, and the latest result for each Board is kept only on your iPhone and removed with “Delete all local data.” A Board cover starts from a description Backmark writes on your iPhone from the Board’s own places and topics; covers and optional Library tile icons are created with Apple’s Image Playground from that description, which you can edit, and the image you keep is saved on your iPhone. When you import bookmarks, only each bookmark’s title, site, and folder name are read; the pages are never opened. You can turn these features off in Profile under On-device AI; saving, text recognition, and search keep working. Backmark does not send your saved content to Backmark or to a cloud AI service.
Apple Maps, link titles, Google short links, and Photos
Backmark uses these services only when you use a feature that needs them:
- Place search (Apple Maps). When you search for a place, only the words you type are sent to Apple Maps. Your iPhone’s location is never sent, and Backmark does not ask for location permission.
- Map links. Full Apple Maps and Google Maps links are read on your iPhone without being opened.
- Google Maps short links. When you share a short
maps.app.goo.gllink to Backmark or paste one into Add a place, Backmark asks Google only for that link’s first redirect, without loading a page, to find the place name. The name is then searched in Apple Maps. - Link titles. When you share a web link to Backmark, the Share sheet reads that page’s public title and description once to name the Memory. This request goes only to the website you shared, and nothing is sent to Backmark.
- Apple Maps place IDs. Some Apple Maps links carry only an address and Apple’s own place ID. Backmark looks that place up in Apple Maps by its ID, sending only the ID, and otherwise searches the address.
- Map pictures (Apple Maps). Map pictures for places are Apple Maps snapshots created for the place’s coordinates and stored on your iPhone. They are deleted with your local data.
- Board routes (Apple Maps). A Board with two or more places shows a planned walking or driving route in the Board’s order. Only the stops’ coordinates are sent to Apple Maps to get directions. Backmark does not record or track where you go.
- Photos (add-only). If you choose Download for a Board’s images, Backmark asks for add-only access to save them to Photos. Backmark cannot see your photo library.
Apple, Google and the websites you share process these requests under their own privacy policies. Backmark does not use your camera or microphone.
Data sharing
We do not sell your information. Backmark shares content only when you explicitly use iOS sharing, share a Board or a Board studio result as images, choose “Export all local data,” or open an original source. “Tell a friend” in Profile opens the iOS share sheet with a short message and Backmark’s App Store link; Backmark does not see whom you send it to. “Rate on the App Store” opens Apple’s App Store review page. The destination app or website then processes that information under its own privacy policy. “Report a bug” opens an email draft and does not attach your saved Backmark data.
Export and restore
“Export all local data” in Profile creates one zip file on your iPhone containing a readable Backmark.html page, a backmark-data.json file, and folders with your photos, files, Board covers, map pictures, and tile icons. You choose where it goes with the iOS share sheet. To bring an export back, choose + Add, then “Restore a Backmark export.” Restoring adds only what is missing and never deletes or overwrites what is already in Backmark.
Diagnostics and contact
Backmark does not include a third-party analytics or advertising SDK. If you email support, Google processes the email and any information you choose to include.
App Store purchase
Backmark is sold as a one-time paid app with no recurring subscription. Apple processes the App Store purchase and related payment information. Backmark does not receive your full card or bank details and does not include an in-app payment system.
Retention and deletion
Your local information remains until you delete individual Memories or Boards, choose “Delete all local data” (which also removes previews, attachments, covers, map pictures, and tile icons), or remove the app. iOS backups may retain app data according to your Apple backup settings.
Support website
These policy and support pages are hosted with GitHub Pages. Visiting them may provide GitHub with ordinary web request information under GitHub’s own privacy statement. This is separate from using the Backmark iPhone app.
Children
Backmark is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes
We may update this policy as Backmark changes. The effective date above will be updated when material changes are published.
Contact
Questions can be sent through the Backmark Support page.