1Who we are
FMote for iPhone and Apple Watch is published on the App Store by Javidan Salarian ("we", "us"), who is responsible for the information described here. You can reach us at [email protected].
FMote is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Amazon. Amazon, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Alexa are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates and are mentioned only to describe the devices FMote works with.
2What stays on your device
To work as a remote, FMote keeps a few things on your iPhone (and, for the widgets and the Watch, in storage shared only between FMote's own parts on your devices):
- the TVs you have added: their names, network addresses and the names you give them;
- the pairing key each TV issues when you enter its code, kept in the iOS Keychain;
- the list of apps your TV reports, your pinned apps and favourites;
- your settings, such as remote style, haptics, language and skip length.
None of this is sent to us or to anyone else. Deleting FMote deletes it.
3Your home network
iOS asks you to allow Local Network access. FMote uses it only to find TVs on your Wi-Fi (with Bonjour, SSDP discovery and, if needed, a short scan of your own network), to talk to the TV you choose, and to send a wake-up signal to a TV you have paired. Commands go directly from your iPhone to your TV over your home network, encrypted where the TV supports it. They do not pass through our servers; we have none.
4Microphone and voice
FMote asks for the microphone only when you first use Voice. While you speak, the audio is streamed directly to your own TV, whose voice search handles it. FMote does not record, store or send your voice anywhere else, and we never receive it. What your TV does with your voice request is governed by the TV maker's own privacy terms.
5Usage statistics and crash reports
To find bugs and see which features are used, FMote uses two services from Google: Firebase Analytics (in a version without the advertising-identifier library) and Firebase Crashlytics. They run in the iPhone app only, not in the widgets or the Watch app. You can turn both off at any time in FMote → Settings → Share usage data; crash reports not yet sent are then deleted from your iPhone.
| What is sent | Examples | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A random app-instance ID | Created when FMote is installed; not your name, not your Apple Account, not the advertising identifier | To count users and sessions |
| How the app is used | Screens opened, features used (for example "keyboard" or "voice"), whether pairing and connections worked, whether the FMote Pro screen was opened, a plan bought or purchases restored, whether the first-run tips or an in-app notice were shown, and whether FMote Pro is active, all from fixed lists | To improve the app |
| Subscription events | Which FMote Pro plan was bought or renewed and its price, measured by Google from Apple's purchase system | To understand which plans people choose |
| Approximate location | Country, region or city, which Google works out from a shortened IP address. FMote never uses Location Services | Statistics by region |
| Crash and device information | Where in the code a crash happened, app version, iPhone model, iOS version, short fixed status words recorded before a crash | To fix crashes |
Never included: TV names, IP or MAC addresses, pairing keys, the text you type, your voice, the names of apps on your TV, or anything that identifies you by name. FMote sets no user ID. The data is not linked to your identity and is not used to track you across other companies' apps or websites.
6Subscriptions and purchases
FMote Pro is sold through Apple's in-app purchase system. Apple handles the payment, your Apple Account and any refund. We never see your card or bank details. The app only asks Apple whether you have an active subscription so it can unlock Pro features. Manage or cancel a subscription in your iPhone's Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions. Apple's own handling of your purchase is described in Apple's Privacy Policy. Purchases are covered by Apple's standard Terms of Use (EULA).
7App configuration file
When it starts, FMote downloads a small settings file from GitHub's servers (gist.githubusercontent.com). It tells the app, for example, which features are part of FMote Pro and whether to show first-run tips. The request contains no personal data and no identifier from FMote. As with any website visit, GitHub's servers see your IP address; we do not receive it. GitHub's handling is described in the GitHub General Privacy Statement.
8Apple Watch, widgets, Control Center and Siri
The FMote Watch app sends each button press to FMote on your iPhone through Apple's Watch connection, and the iPhone sends it to your TV. Widgets, Control Center controls and Siri Shortcuts send a single button press or app launch to the TV you already paired, using the details stored on your iPhone. None of them sends anything to us.
9Who receives data
- Google (Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics) receives the statistics and crash reports described in section 5, as our service provider. See Firebase privacy and security. Google may process data in the United States and other countries.
- Apple processes your purchases (section 6).
- GitHub serves the configuration file (section 7).
- Your own TV receives your commands, typed text and voice requests, because that is what a remote does.
We do not sell or rent personal information and we do not share it for advertising. FMote currently shows no ads.
10How long data is kept
Crash reports are kept by Google for 90 days. Usage statistics are kept for the retention period set in our Google Analytics property, at most 14 months, after which Google deletes the event-level data. Information on your device is kept until you delete it in the app or delete the app.
11Your choices and rights
- Turn statistics off: FMote → Settings → Share usage data.
- Microphone and Local Network: change either at any time in iOS Settings → FMote.
- Start fresh: deleting FMote removes everything it stored and gives it a new app-instance ID if you install it again.
- Your rights: depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR in the EU and UK, or California law), you may ask to access, correct or delete personal data, or object to its use. We process the statistics on the basis of our legitimate interest in keeping FMote working and improving it, and you can object at any time with the switch above. Because the data is not linked to your identity, we usually cannot find a single person's records; write to us and we will help as far as we can. You may also complain to your local data protection authority.
12Children
FMote is a general-audience utility and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
13Changes to this policy
If what FMote collects changes, for example if a future version adds advertising to the free version, we will update this page before that version is released and change the effective date above. Significant changes will also be mentioned in the app's release notes.
14Contact
Questions about privacy: [email protected]. Help with the app: FMote Support.