Last updated: 2026-05-07
Short version: Cleave does not collect, store, or transmit any of your personal data. Your books never leave your device.
Cleave is an on-device EPUB metadata editor. It opens EPUB files you already have, edits their metadata (title, author, cover, description, etc.), and saves them back — all locally on your iPhone or iPad.
None. There is no account, no sign-in, no backend server, no analytics SDK, and no advertising SDK. Cleave cannot see what books you open, what changes you make, or how often you use the app.
When you opt in to metadata or cover enrichment, Cleave sends anonymous queries (title + author strings) to the following public APIs:
itunes.apple.com & is1-ssl.mzstatic.com (Apple Books search + artwork)openlibrary.org & covers.openlibrary.org (Open Library search + covers)www.googleapis.com (Google Books — only if you provide your own API key in Settings)These requests contain no user identifier, device identifier, or persistent token. The service providers may log the request IP and query as part of normal operation; their privacy policies apply independently.
You can disable any of these sources in Settings → Cover sources and Settings → Automation → Enrich metadata from the web.
Cleave stores your preferences in the system UserDefaults on your device.
Imported EPUBs are cached in the app's own sandbox and App Group container, both of which are
wiped when you uninstall the app.
Cleave does not track you across apps or websites. There is no App Tracking Transparency prompt because Cleave does nothing that would require one.
Cleave is rated 4+ and is safe for all ages. It is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect any data from any user.
If this policy changes, the new version will appear at this URL with an updated date at the top.
Questions: support@whidbeylabs.app