Effective date: 19 October 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Sound Meter for Android (the “app”), published by DevsGround, handles information. Sound Meter measures sound levels using your device's microphone and processes measurements on your device.
We aim to protect your privacy. Sound measurements, saved sessions, optional audio recordings, and app settings stay on your device unless you choose to share something. The app uses Google Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics, and Firebase Cloud Messaging for usage statistics, crash reporting, and occasional messages as described below.
Information We Access and Store
Microphone and Sound Measurements
- The microphone is accessed only while a sound measurement session is running.
- By default, the app does not record or save audio. It processes the microphone signal on your device and stores measurement values, such as sound levels, summaries, and loud-moment information.
- The app does not listen for speech or recognize what is being said.
- If background measurement is enabled, measurement may continue while the app is in the background. Android displays a foreground-service notification, which you can use to pause or stop measurement.
Optional Saved Audio
- The “Save audio with recordings” setting is off by default.
- If you turn it on, audio associated with saved sessions is stored locally on your device. The app does not upload or share this audio.
- Audio from an unsaved session is discarded. Turning the setting off prevents audio from being saved for future sessions.
- Deleting a saved session also deletes its associated audio file, if one exists.
- Audio files are not included in Android cloud backup.
Saved Sessions, Progress, and Settings
The app may store the following information locally on your device:
- Saved session start time and duration.
- Sound-level measurements and summaries, including minimum, average, maximum, equivalent continuous sound level (Leq), noise dose, and detected loud events where available.
- Session names and challenge progress.
- App settings such as alert level, weighting, calibration offset, dial style, and colors.
You can delete saved sessions from within the app. Clearing the app's data or uninstalling it removes app-stored data, subject to Android device and backup behavior.
Firebase Analytics
Sound Meter uses Firebase Analytics, a Google service, to understand general app usage and improve the app. Depending on app configuration and device settings, Analytics may process:
- Screen opens, app interactions, and usage duration.
- Install referrer information.
- App version, device model, Android version, device language, and approximate region inferred from IP address.
- A random app-instance identifier that is not your name, email address, or account identity.
The app does not use an advertising ID and does not display ads or use ad personalization. Sound measurements, saved sessions, and audio recordings are not sent to Firebase Analytics by the app.
Google states that Analytics data retention can be configured and may be retained for up to 14 months depending on the settings. For details about Google's handling of information, review Google's Privacy Policy.
Firebase Crashlytics
The app uses Firebase Crashlytics to identify and investigate crashes and technical failures. Crash reports may include information such as:
- Crash details and the code path where a failure occurred.
- App version, device model, Android version, and available memory or storage information.
- An installation or app identifier used for diagnostics.
The app does not intentionally include sound measurements, saved sessions, or audio recordings in Crashlytics reports. Crash reports may be retained for up to 90 days, depending on service settings and Google's practices.
Firebase Cloud Messaging
The app may use Firebase Cloud Messaging to deliver occasional app-related messages. This service processes a messaging token needed to route messages to your installation. The app does not attach your personal information to this token. You can disable app notifications in your Android device settings.
More Apps and External Services
The app may retrieve a public list of other apps from GitHub using raw.githubusercontent.com. When your device requests this information, GitHub may receive technical information such as your IP address. Sound measurements, saved sessions, audio recordings, and other local app data are not included in this request.
The app may check for updates or offer an in-app review prompt through Google Play. Privacy-policy links, Play Store links, email links, Telegram, and WhatsApp links open using the apps or services you choose. Once you leave Sound Meter or share information with another service, that service's own privacy policy and practices apply.
How Information Is Used and Shared
Information is used to operate sound measurement features, save and display your sessions, remember your settings, provide optional notifications, understand general app usage, diagnose crashes, and improve reliability.
- Sound measurements, saved sessions, optional audio recordings, and settings remain on your device unless you choose to share them.
- DevsGround does not sell your personal information.
- Firebase data is transmitted to Google services over encrypted connections such as HTTPS, and Google may process data in countries other than your own.
- The app does not automatically send your sound measurements or saved recordings to other people or services.
Your Choices and Data Deletion
- You can stop measurement at any time from the app, or use the Android foreground-service notification when background measurement is active.
- You can leave “Save audio with recordings” turned off to avoid saving audio.
- You can disable app notifications in Android settings, including optional news and update notifications where available.
- You can delete saved sessions in the app. Clearing app data or uninstalling the app removes locally stored app data, subject to Android backup behavior.
- Clearing app data or reinstalling may reset app or installation identifiers, so future diagnostic data may be associated with a new identifier. This does not necessarily delete data already held by Google services.
- If you need help with a crash report, contact us and include relevant details such as your phone model and the approximate date of the crash. Do not include sensitive information.
Sharing You Choose to Do
The app may let you share a meter snapshot or export session information as PDF or CSV through the Android share menu. Sharing happens only when you choose an action and select a destination. The selected app or service then handles the shared information under its own privacy policy. DevsGround does not receive a copy merely because you share it from your device.
Android Backup
Android may back up some app data, such as saved sessions or settings, to your Google account depending on Android backup settings and the app's backup configuration. Audio files saved by Sound Meter are not included in Android cloud backup. You can review your Android or Google account backup settings to manage available backup options.
Permissions
- Microphone: Used to measure sound levels while a measurement session is running.
- Foreground service (microphone): Supports measurement that continues in the background when enabled, with an Android notification.
- Notifications: Used for measurement status and optional app messages when notifications are enabled.
- Vibration: May provide tactile feedback for alerts or app interactions.
- Internet and network state: Used for Firebase services, retrieving the public “More Apps” list, and Google Play-related features.
- Receive messages / wake lock: May support delivery of Firebase Cloud Messaging notifications and related background handling.
- Play install referrer: May be used by Analytics to understand how the app was installed.
You can review available app permissions and notification controls in your Android device settings.
Children's Privacy
Sound Meter is not directed to children under 13, and DevsGround does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through a feature or communication, contact us so we can review the concern.
Measurement Accuracy and Safety
Sound readings from a phone microphone are estimates and may vary by device, microphone hardware, operating system processing, environment, and calibration. Sound Meter is not a certified professional sound-level meter. Alerts and noise-dose estimates provide general information only and are not medical advice or a substitute for professional hearing-safety guidance.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to the app, services, or data practices. The updated version will be published on this page with a revised effective date. Significant changes may also be described in app release notes.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or Sound Meter's privacy practices, contact DevsGround:
Email: devsground.help@gmail.com
