Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 13, 2026

Trailseek is a GPS and mapping app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, developed by Mike Cherry. This policy explains what data the app handles and how it is stored.

Data collection

Trailseek does not collect, transmit, or share any personal data. The app has no user accounts, no analytics, no telemetry, and no advertising, and it does not track you across apps or websites.

Data stored on your device

Everything you create in Trailseek stays on your device, in the app’s own storage:

Your content. Waypoints, recorded tracks, waypoint photos, and map drawings are saved in the app’s container.
Preferences. Settings such as units, coordinate format, and the selected map are stored in the app’s local settings.
Map tiles. Map images you view or download for offline use are cached on your device.

None of this data is sent to the developer or any third party. Deleting an item removes it (including a waypoint’s photos), and uninstalling the app removes everything.

Location

Trailseek uses your device’s location and heading only to show where you are on the map, record tracks you start, and navigate to waypoints you choose. Your coordinates are processed on your device and are never sent to the developer or any server. Location is requested only when you first use a feature that needs it, and the app still works with location turned off. Background location (screen-off track recording) is used only while a recording you started is active.

Network activity

Trailseek makes outbound network requests in these situations:

Map tiles. Displaying an online map downloads map images from the provider you select. Requesting a tile tells that provider the tile’s location, which is roughly the area you are looking at. This happens with any online map, and Trailseek reduces it with on-device caching and offline downloads. Tile providers are Apple, OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap, the USGS National Map, and the Iowa Environmental Mesonet (US weather radar).
Place search. When you type a place name into search, that text is sent to Apple through MapKit local search to return matches. Entering coordinates to go to a point is handled on your device and sends nothing.
Apple Watch sync. If you use the Apple Watch app, your waypoints and tracks sync directly between your iPhone and Apple Watch through Apple’s WatchConnectivity. This is a device-to-device transfer. It does not pass through the developer or any server.

Trailseek does not operate any servers and does not receive any data from your device. Software updates are delivered through the App Store.

Third-party services

Trailseek does not integrate any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking SDKs. It contacts only the map tile providers you choose to view and, if you use search, Apple’s MapKit search service.

Permissions

Trailseek asks for these permissions, each only when a feature needs it, and degrades gracefully if you decline:

Location. Shows your position, records tracks, and navigates. “While Using” is enough. “Always” is requested only if you turn on screen-off background recording.
Camera. Takes a photo to attach to a waypoint.
Photo Library. Attaches an existing photo to a waypoint, or saves a photo you take to your library.
Motion & Fitness. Reads the barometer for more accurate elevation while recording a track.

Children’s privacy

Trailseek is a general-purpose utility and does not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children under 13.

Changes to this policy

If this policy is updated, the revised version will be posted at this URL with a new effective date. Because the app collects no data, material changes are unlikely.

Contact

Questions about this policy or Trailseek? Email info@inditech.org.