Laowai Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2, 2026

This policy explains how Laowai processes data when you use its offline Chinese dictionary, texts, lists, study tools, widgets, reminders, account features, and cloud sync.

At a glance

• The dictionary, character data, and core search run locally and work offline.
• We do not sell personal data, use IDFA, or use your data for advertising tracking.
• Your study content and, if you contact us, your support request are used only to provide app features.
• New versions use Amplitude for basic product analytics with a random identifier specific to this app. You can turn it off in Settings. Older versions may use Firebase Analytics. Neither is used for advertising tracking.
• Cloud sync is optional and is used to move your learning data between your devices.

Data linked to you

If you use cloud or support features, Laowai may process:

• an anonymous user identifier used to secure cloud, public-list, and support features;
• user content such as word lists, texts, favorites, study progress, review settings, and imported learning material.
• the messages, screenshots, photos, and files you choose to send to support. When you shake the device to report a bug, the app previews a screenshot and technical-details option before anything is sent; you can remove either one. Technical details may include app/build version, device and OS information, locale, notification status, screen size, and recent anonymous in-app event labels.
• a device or push-notification identifier when you enable reply notifications for a support conversation or separately opt in to notifications about new lists and occasional offers.

Product analytics

New versions use Amplitude to understand study and purchase journeys. Basic collection is enabled by default, as with the previous analytics service, and can be turned off in Settings. Events are connected by a random app identifier, not your account, email address or advertising identifier. They may include:

• product interactions, such as opening a section, starting a study session, or using sync and widgets;
• paywall entry point, selected product, purchase outcome, app version and broad interface language. Search text, vocabulary, recordings, documents and messages are not sent to Amplitude.

Turning off product analytics clears queued events and resets the local analytics identifier. It does not delete events already received by the provider. Pending events expire after seven days and the local queue is limited to 500 events. No session replay or automatic screen-content capture is enabled. Older Firebase Analytics versions may also have collected coarse country or region.

Crash diagnostics

Firebase Crashlytics may collect crash reports, device and OS information, and limited technical diagnostics to help us identify and fix failures. We do not attach your name, email address, or support-thread identifier to Crashlytics.

Local storage and on-device processing

The offline dictionary, character database, settings, and learning data may be stored on your device. OCR is performed with Apple system frameworks. Camera or photo access is used only after you choose to scan or import an image.

Cloud services

If you enable cloud features, learning data may be synchronized through Apple iCloud/CloudKit or the Laowai cloud service, depending on the feature and version of the app. Firebase is used for anonymous authentication, support chat, public lists, technical infrastructure, crash diagnostics, and basic product analytics.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are purchased and managed by Apple through the App Store. Laowai checks App Store transaction status to unlock subscriber features. We do not receive or store your card or bank details.

Speech and translation

If you use speaking or translation features, text or audio you select may be processed by Apple system services to perform that action. Do not use these features with information you do not want processed by the relevant service.

Widgets, reminders, and Live Activities

These features use app learning data, such as a selected word, progress, or a link to a study session, to display information on your devices.

Optional campaign notifications

Notifications about new learning material and occasional offers are off by default and require a separate opt-in in Settings. If enabled, Firebase stores a push token, app language, app version, and a random installation identifier so the notification can be delivered. Private list names and study history are not used to target these campaigns. You can withdraw consent in Settings; the server registration is then deleted. Registrations also expire unless the app renews them.

Public lists

When you create a public link to a word list, its contents become available to anyone with that link. Do not publish lists containing personal or sensitive information.

Service providers and legal disclosures

We do not sell personal data. Data may be processed by providers that operate selected app features, including Apple, Firebase/Google and Amplitude, or disclosed when required for security, legal compliance, or protection of rights.

Tracking

Laowai does not use IDFA, does not request App Tracking Transparency permission, and does not track you across apps and websites owned by other companies.

Security and retention

We use the standard security mechanisms provided by Apple, Firebase, and HTTPS. No transmission or storage method is completely secure. Data is retained only as needed to provide the selected features or meet legal obligations.

Your choices

You can remove local app data, disable cloud features, turn off optional campaign notifications, sign out, delete the app, or contact support about account data and deletion. Deleting the app does not automatically cancel an App Store subscription; subscriptions are managed in your Apple Account settings.

Children

If a child uses Laowai, a parent or legal guardian should supervise cloud features, public lists, purchases, and imported materials.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when app features or legal requirements change. The current version will remain available on this page.

Contact

Support: laowaiapp.com/support/