Privacy Policy

Last updated: 19 October 2026

Spread is built so that your library stays yours. We don't run servers that store your data, we don't have accounts, and we don't track you.

What we collect

Nothing. Spread contains no analytics, advertising or tracking code, and the developer receives no personal information about you or what you read.

Your files and reading data

Spread stores your library catalogue, reading progress, bookmarks and settings on your device. New installations use your own iCloud account for library sync by default when available; a previous explicit opt-out is preserved. New comic imports are copied to your private iCloud Drive library when available and within your plan’s file limit, with a verified copy on this device. If iCloud is unavailable or the file limit has been reached, the import remains local. You can choose local-only file storage and separately control library and reading-progress sync in Settings. Switching to local-only downloads your existing comics before changing the storage choice. Existing iCloud copies are kept as backups unless you explicitly remove them. The free plan allows up to 15 active iCloud comic files after the free period; Spread Pro removes this limit. The developer cannot access your iCloud data. Apple's handling of iCloud data is covered by Apple's Privacy Policy.

Upload over Wi-Fi

When you start Upload over Wi-Fi, Spread runs a local upload page for devices on the same Wi-Fi network. A four-digit PIN shown in Spread is required to send a file. Files transfer directly to your device, then follow your chosen local or iCloud library storage setting; they do not pass through the developer's servers. The browser can also manage your library and edit its details. Private comics are hidden by default; you can show them in that browser after connecting with the PIN. You can continue transfers while reading inside Spread. Transfers stop when you stop the server, lock the device or switch to another app. Storage sharing is off by default. If you enable Show storage in browser under Settings > Wi-Fi Server, storage figures are shared only over the local network for display on your other device. This choice is remembered until you turn it off. Deleting an uploaded comic also removes its uploaded copy from that device.

Library statistics and preferences

Genre charts are calculated on your device from metadata already in your library. They are not sent to the developer or an analytics service. Locked comics are excluded. Title-language, content-rating, text-size and date-format choices are stored on your device.

Automatic metadata and optional connections

Spread can look up titles, creators, ISBNs, issue or volume numbers, language and publication years using Kitsu and Open Library. These requests help find descriptions, covers and publication details. Your comic files, page images, local folder paths, reading progress and bookmarks are not uploaded. Sources receive the search terms and ordinary connection information such as your IP address. Their own privacy policies apply. You can disable Automatic Metadata and choose enabled sources under Settings > Library & Metadata > Metadata Sources.

You can optionally connect your own Metron account using an API token to find missing comic issue information. Spread stores that token in this device’s Keychain and sends it only to Metron for authentication. It does not request your provider password. Tokens are not synced to iCloud or included in sidecar metadata or exports. Disconnecting removes the token and cancels pending lookups; previously downloaded metadata remains in your library. Provider attributions are retained with metadata.

On supported devices, Spread may use Apple’s on-device language model to extract a search title from a difficult filename. This optional assistance has no web access, sends no filename to an AI server and falls back to ordinary parsing when unavailable. It does not read comic pages or invent catalogue information.

Purchases

Subscriptions are handled entirely by Apple through the App Store. The developer does not receive your payment details.

Earlier TestFlight parental settings

Parental controls are deferred and unavailable in the launch release. If you configured them in an earlier TestFlight build, its policy, approvals and protected PIN and recovery-code verifiers may remain in this device’s Keychain, without iCloud Keychain sync. The launch release does not read, apply, rewrite or delete these records. The developer cannot retrieve them. Ordinary device-authenticated comic locks remain available.

Widgets and Handoff

Spread shares limited on-device snapshots with its widget extension: eligible comic identifiers, titles and reading progress, plus small cover images according to the Reading Cover setting and your Cover Gallery selections in Settings > Appearance > Widgets & StandBy. Reading Cover follows the latest eligible comic in progress. It is on by default when no choice has been saved; a saved Off choice stays off. You can turn it off at any time. Earlier TestFlight versions require enabling Reading Cover. Cover Gallery shares only the covers you select, up to six. The widget extension does not receive your comic archives or parent secrets. Widget content can appear on your Home Screen or in StandBy, including while the device is locked after its first unlock. iOS decides when widgets refresh and rotate.

Privacy Mode makes new widget content neutral. Locked comics are excluded. When access changes, Spread removes shared artwork and requests a widget refresh, but iOS may retain an earlier rendered widget. Remove an existing personal widget if an earlier image remains visible. Tapping a widget checks access again inside Spread.

Handoff uses Apple’s system to pass an eligible comic’s library identifier, page number and scroll position to another device. It does not transfer the comic file, title, cover or local file path in that activity. The receiving device needs the same library item and its comic file available. Spread does not publish personal reading activities while Privacy Mode is enabled, or for locked comics. After an iCloud account change, personal widgets, Handoff and comic links pause until you review the retained library and explicitly resume them in Widgets & StandBy settings.

Cover exports

Export Cover in the reader prepares the comic’s physical first page for an explicit save or share action. Export is unavailable for locked comics or while Privacy Mode is enabled. Images you save to Photos, Files or another app remain there after you change Spread’s privacy settings; Spread cannot recall or delete those copies. Spread does not change your wallpaper automatically. Wallpaper selection and Photo Shuffle are controlled by you in iOS Settings.

Children

Spread does not knowingly collect information from anyone, including children.

Changes and contact

If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page. Questions? See Support.