PetNest privacy

Private by design.

PetNest is offline-first. Your pet-care information stays on your device unless you deliberately export or share it, or turn on optional iCloud sync on iOS.

Last updated: 17 September 2026

Information stored by PetNest

Pet profiles, care details, reminders, wellbeing journal entries, preferences, and document metadata are stored in the app’s local database. Pet photos, journal photos, and imported medical records are copied into private application storage.

PetNest has no PetNest account and no server of its own, analytics, advertising, chat, or remote diagnosis features. On iOS you can optionally turn on iCloud sync, which keeps a copy in your own private iCloud database; see the next section.

iCloud sync (iOS)

iCloud sync is optional and available on iOS only. It is off until you turn it on in PetNest settings, and it needs the same one-time unlock as Backup & Restore.

When you turn it on, PetNest keeps your data the same across the iOS devices signed in to your iCloud account: pet profiles, care details, reminders, wellbeing journal entries, expenses, imported medical records, and photos. The data is stored in your own private iCloud database under Apple’s terms and inside your own iCloud storage quota, attachments included. PetNest operates no server of its own and cannot read, access, or recover what is in your private iCloud database.

Android devices do not sync, and there is no cross-platform sync between iOS and Android.

Turning iCloud sync off stops syncing and leaves every record on the device. The copy already in your private iCloud database stays there and can be adopted again later. If two of your devices already hold separate data the first time they meet, PetNest asks which copy to keep before it replaces anything, and keeps an on-device safety archive first.

You stay in control of the synced copy: you can delete individual records in PetNest at any time, and you can remove the synced copy from iCloud through your iCloud storage settings in iOS.

Sharing and exports

Medical records and journal content leave the device only when you explicitly start an export, share a file, export a backup, or turn on iCloud sync.

• Generated PDF and image care cards are temporary local files.
• PetNest hands a file to the operating-system share sheet only after you choose to export it.
• PetNest does not select a recipient or upload shared files itself.
• Microchip numbers are excluded from new care cards unless you explicitly include them.

Backups

Backups are created only after you start an export. They include medical-record metadata and file bytes so a restore remains complete. Backup files remain wherever you choose to save or share them.

Restoring a backup or deleting app data is a separate, explicitly confirmed action because it can replace or remove local information — and, with iCloud sync on, the same data on your other synced devices.

Wellbeing journal

Journal exports use a date range you select. Photos are excluded by default and included only when you enable photo export.

Journal entries record your observations for recall and veterinary conversations. PetNest does not interpret symptoms, diagnose conditions, recommend treatment, or calculate medication doses.

Walk tracking and maps

Walk tracking begins recording precise location only after you start a walk. Recording may continue during an active walk while PetNest is in the background or your phone is locked. Recording stops when the walk is finished or discarded. Completed start and end times, distance, and GPS route points stay on your device. Background location access is used only for active walk tracking.

Displaying a route loads map content from Apple Maps on iOS or Google Maps on Android. Those providers receive network requests needed to render the visible map under their own privacy terms.

Health Connect

On Android, if you explicitly enable Health Connect synchronization, PetNest writes the start and end time of completed dog walks as walking workouts to Health Connect. PetNest does not read information from Health Connect and does not write GPS routes, pet health records, veterinary information, medications, or wellbeing observations. Health Connect synchronization is optional and can be disabled in PetNest settings. Health Connect data is stored and managed on your device and is not transmitted to PetNest servers.

Data collected and permissions used

PetNest requests the following device permissions, each used only for the purpose described:

• Location (precise and background) — used exclusively for active walk tracking, which starts only when you begin a walk and stops when you finish or discard it.
• Calendar — used to read and write pet-care reminders to your device calendar when you choose to sync them.
• Notifications — used for local care reminders. PetNest does not send remote push notifications.
• Photos and camera — used only when you choose to add a photo to a pet profile, journal entry, or medical record.
• Files and documents — used only when you import medical records or export backups and care cards.

None of the data collected through these permissions is transmitted to PetNest servers (there are no PetNest servers), third-party analytics services, or advertising networks. The one exception is iCloud sync, which you opt into and which stores your data in your own private iCloud database under Apple’s terms, not with PetNest.

Third-party services

PetNest integrates with the following third-party services, which operate under their own privacy policies:

• Google Maps (Android) — receives map tile requests when you view a walk route. See Google Privacy Policy.
• Apple Maps (iOS) — receives map tile requests when you view a walk route. See Apple Privacy Policy.
• Google Play Billing (Android) — processes in-app purchases. PetNest does not receive or store your payment details. See Google Privacy Policy.
• iCloud (iOS, optional) — when you turn on iCloud sync, Apple stores and syncs your PetNest data in your private iCloud database on your behalf. See Apple’s iCloud & Privacy.

Data retention and deletion

PetNest data is stored locally on your device. You can delete individual records at any time within the app. Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data. If you have turned on iCloud sync, a copy also lives in your private iCloud database until you remove it through your iCloud storage settings in iOS. Backups created through the export feature remain wherever you chose to save them and must be deleted manually.

Children's privacy

PetNest is not directed to children under the age of 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information through the app, please contact us.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or PetNest’s data practices, please contact us at petnest@protonmail.com.