Bonsai Step ("the app", "we", "us") is developed by Simply Creative. This policy
explains what data the app accesses, how it's used, and your choices. We built
Bonsai Step to be private by default: your information stays on your device
wherever possible, and we never sell it or use it for advertising.
Summary
We read your daily step count to grow your virtual bonsai. This is used on your device.
We don't run ads, analytics, or tracking SDKs.
We don't sell or share your health data with third parties.
Purchases are handled by the app stores and RevenueCat.
Cloud backup is optional and goes to your own Google or Apple account.
Health and fitness data (Health Connect & Apple Health)
With your permission, Bonsai Step reads your step count from Health
Connect (Android) or Apple Health (iOS).
What we read: step count only. We do not read any other health or fitness data.
How we use it: your steps are the main input that grows your bonsai tree through its stages, and they power the home-screen step display, daily goals, streaks, achievements, statistics, and the optional home-screen widget.
Background access (Android): with your separate permission, the app reads your step count while it's closed, solely to keep your home-screen widget and step-related notifications up to date. It is not used for any other purpose.
Handling: step data is processed and stored locally on your device. We do not transmit your step data to our servers, we do not share it with third parties, and we never use it for advertising or sell it.
Your control: you can grant or revoke this access at any time in Health Connect (Android) or the Health app (iOS). Revoking it stops new step reads; the core experience depends on this access to function.
Our use of Health Connect data complies with the Health Connect Permissions
policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
Other information we handle
Purchases: when you buy a one-time unlock (species, slots, or backgrounds), the transaction is processed by Google Play or the Apple App Store and validated through RevenueCat, which receives purchase details and an anonymous app-generated identifier so your purchases work and can be restored. We do not receive your payment-card details.
Premium art downloads: unlocked premium artwork is downloaded on demand from our content backend (Supabase). To confirm you're entitled to a download, the app sends an anonymous purchase identifier — no name, email, or health data is sent.
Local app data: your garden, settings, and progress are stored locally on your device.
Optional cloud backup: if you choose to back up your progress, your garden data is saved to your own Google Play Games / Apple Game Center / iCloud account. We do not have a copy or access to it.
What we do NOT do
No advertising and no advertising ID.
No analytics, tracking, or crash-reporting SDKs.
No selling or sharing of your personal or health data.
No user accounts or logins required to use the app.
Data retention and deletion
Local data (including step-derived progress) lives on your device and is removed
when you uninstall the app. To remove cloud backups, delete the app's saved data
in your Google Play Games / Game Center / iCloud account. To stop step access,
revoke the permission in Health Connect or the Health app.
Children's privacy
Bonsai Step is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect
personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by
updating the "Last updated" date above.