Privacy policy

The short version

Ethereal (li.oever.ethereal) is an offline Android puzzle game by Bjarne Øverli. You do not need an account. The game has no ads, in-app purchases, analytics, tracking SDKs or developer-operated game servers. We do not collect your gameplay or player name on our servers, and we do not sell your data.

This policy covers the game, this companion website and support inquiries. Android backup, a postcard you choose to share, and contacting support are explained separately below.

What stays on your device

The game saves your progress, scores, journal, gifts, Pip's state, daily-play dates, an unfinished round, settings and the name you choose. A nickname is fine; your real name is not required. This information is used locally to run and personalize the game. The app does not request Internet access or send this information to the developer.

The game does not access your location, contacts, microphone, camera, advertising ID or photo library. Music is generated on your device. Vibration is optional. Bedtime uses a foreground media service and notification to keep user-started music playing while the screen is off, and stops when its timer ends or you stop it.

Android backup and device transfer

Android may back up the game's saved progress, settings and chosen name or transfer them to another device, depending on your system settings, Android version and backup provider. This is handled by Android and your backup provider, not by an Ethereal server. The developer cannot access or retrieve these backups. Cached postcards are excluded from app backup.

Use Android's backup settings to manage or delete backups. A previous backup may restore older progress; erasing progress inside the game does not immediately erase an existing system backup.

When you choose to share

Share my sky creates a postcard image in the app's private cache and opens Android's share sheet. Only when you choose a destination can that app or person receive the postcard and its accompanying text. The destination's own privacy policy then applies. Ethereal does not upload the postcard to the developer or choose a recipient for you.

Keeping and deleting your saves

Local saves remain until you erase them. In Settings, Clear all history removes progress, scores, journal entries, gifts, the chosen name and Pip's saved history; it keeps your settings. Android Settings > Apps > Ethereal > Storage > Clear storage removes all local app data, including settings and cached postcards. Android wording varies by device.

We cannot recover local saves for you. Copies you shared with another app or person, and Android-managed backups, must be managed with those services. There is no Ethereal account to delete.

Website and external links

This website uses no analytics, advertising trackers, cookies or browser storage. Fonts, images and the playable trailer are served from this site rather than embedded third-party players. The site is served from the developer's server using Caddy, without routine HTTP access logging. Like any website, the server and infrastructure provider receive technical request information such as your IP address, browser information and requested page to deliver and secure the site. Operational or error logs may contain request details and are used to diagnose problems and protect the service.

Links to Google Play, the maker's website, X, GitHub or email open services outside the game or site. Those services have their own privacy practices. The game does not pass your saved progress or chosen name in these links.

If you contact support

If you email bjarne@oever.li, we receive your address and whatever you include in your message through our email provider. We use that information to answer your request and resolve the issue, not for advertising. Please do not send sensitive information or passwords. Support correspondence is kept only as needed to handle the request and any legal obligations; you may ask us to delete it.

Audience, security and changes

Ethereal is intended for people aged 13 and older and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect children's personal information through the game. If you believe personal information has been provided to us through support, contact us so we can address it.

Local saves use Android's private app storage. The website is intended to be served over HTTPS. No storage or transmission method is completely secure. We will update this policy if the game's data practices change; the date above identifies this version.

Contact

For privacy questions, support or a request about information you sent us, contact Bjarne Øverli at bjarne@oever.li.