Overview
This policy explains how LaunchingPad handles information when you use the macOS app or visit the LaunchingPad website.
Author and operator: the Developer. App: LaunchingPad for macOS.
No accounts or declared users
LaunchingPad does not ask you to create an account, sign in, provide a name, provide an email address, or maintain a user profile. The app is designed to work on your Mac without an account-backed service.
Because there are no LaunchingPad accounts, the Developer does not receive account credentials, passwords, contact lists, documents, photos, messages, or other user-submitted profile data through normal app use.
Information kept on your Mac
LaunchingPad scans standard macOS application locations so it can show your installed apps in a launcher grid. It stores launcher settings, folders, hidden apps, saved arrangements, app update status cache, and layout data locally on your Mac, using app-specific storage such as Application Support and UserDefaults.
When you ask LaunchingPad to review an app for cleanup, it may inspect related local support files such as preferences, caches, logs, containers, saved state, and application support folders. The cleanup review is shown before removal, and the selected file list is not uploaded by LaunchingPad.
You are responsible for deciding what to change, move, or remove on your Mac. Use cleanup and file-management features at your own risk.
Analytics
The macOS app uses Firebase Analytics from Google to understand basic app usage and reliability. The current app logs events such as app startup and opening the launcher from the background. Firebase Analytics may also collect app-instance, device, usage, diagnostic, and interaction information according to Google's Firebase and Analytics practices.
The LaunchingPad website may use Google Analytics to understand page traffic and downloads. Google Analytics can use cookies or similar technologies in the browser. Google explains how Google Analytics data is collected and processed in its Analytics Privacy Disclosures Policy and Privacy Policy.
LaunchingPad does not use analytics to create a named LaunchingPad user account, and it does not sell personal information.
Network access
LaunchingPad may use network access for these purposes:
- Firebase Analytics events for basic usage and diagnostics.
- Checking for LaunchingPad updates through the configured update feed in builds that include Sparkle updates.
- Optional installed-app update checks. Mac App Store apps are checked against Apple's catalog, and Sparkle-updated apps may be checked against their declared update feeds in builds that support this.
- Website analytics and download delivery when you use launchingpad.app.
The app does not require a network connection for basic launching, folders, search, or local layout editing.
macOS permissions
LaunchingPad asks for system permissions only for features that need them. Optional trackpad pinch activation uses macOS Accessibility access. Finder automation may be requested when macOS requires Finder-style authorization to move selected apps or related files to the Trash. Full Disk Access can help with protected cleanup locations, but cleanup still requires review and confirmation. Some wallpaper modes may require Screen Recording permission on macOS.
The app does not declare camera, microphone, location, photos, contacts, calendar, Bluetooth, or similar personal-data permissions for its own core launcher features.
Third-party services
LaunchingPad may interact with Google/Firebase for analytics, Apple's catalog services for optional App Store update checks, Sparkle update feeds for supported update checks, and the LaunchingPad update/download server for app distribution. Those providers process data under their own policies and technical systems.
Your choices
- You can use the app without creating an account.
- You can decline optional macOS permissions. Some activation, wallpaper, automation, or cleanup behavior may be limited when permissions are not granted.
- You can keep optional installed-app update checks disabled in LaunchingPad settings.
- You can remove local LaunchingPad data by uninstalling the app and deleting its local Application Support and preferences data.
- You can use browser settings, content blockers, or Google privacy controls to limit website analytics.
Retention
Local launcher data remains on your Mac until you delete it or reset the app's data. Analytics data is retained according to the configured Google/Firebase analytics settings and Google's applicable policies. Because LaunchingPad does not maintain named accounts, it may not be able to identify analytics records for a specific person from a name or email address.
Children
LaunchingPad is a general macOS utility and is not directed to children. It does not intentionally request children's personal information.
Changes
This policy may be updated as the app changes. Material changes will be reflected by updating the date at the top of this page.
Contact
For privacy questions about LaunchingPad, contact the Developer through the support or contact channel published with the app or on launchingpad.app.