Privacy Policy
1. What Volkey does on your phone
Volkey only changes your phone's system volume levels and ringer mode, and turns the screen off, when you press one of its keys. It does not read what is on your screen, does not use Android's accessibility service, and does not use your location, microphone, camera, contacts or files. Volkey has no account and collects no personal data of its own. Your settings (key size and position, ball style, menu layout, volume presets, the list of apps where keys are hidden) are stored only in the app's private storage on your device; cloud backup of that storage is disabled.
2. Permissions
- Display over other apps (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW) — asked when you first turn the volume keys on, with a step-by-step guide. Used only to draw the floating keys and the floating ball. The overlay window is exactly the size of the keys, so the rest of the screen keeps working, and it never shows ads.
- Foreground service (FOREGROUND_SERVICE, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE) — keeps the on-screen keys available while they are turned on, with a visible notification. Turning the keys off stops the service.
- Notifications (POST_NOTIFICATIONS) — optional. Shows the control notification (−, +, Show/Hide, Ball/Bar); for free users, at most one short tip a day, which you can turn off.
- Do Not Disturb access (ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY) — asked only if you choose the Silent ringer mode, because Android requires it to switch the phone to silent. Volkey does not read your notifications.
- Device admin, “lock the screen” only — asked only when you turn on the Screen off key, after an explanation screen. Volkey uses this single policy (force-lock) to turn the screen off when you tap the key; it cannot erase, read or manage your phone. You can remove it at any time in Volkey Settings (“Remove permission and uninstall”) or in Android Settings → Security → Device admin apps. On some phones Android then asks for your PIN instead of a fingerprint to unlock.
- Usage access (PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS) — optional, Pro only, asked only if you use “Hide in selected apps”. Volkey checks which app is in the foreground on the phone, only to hide the keys in the apps you picked. This information never leaves your device and is not logged.
- Run at startup (RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED) — brings the keys back after a restart if you enabled that option; you can turn it off.
- Vibration (VIBRATE) — short haptic feedback when you press a key.
- Internet — ads, analytics, purchases and consent. Nothing you do with the keys is sent.
Volkey does not use an accessibility service, location, the microphone or the camera.
3. Analytics and crash reports (Google Firebase)
With your consent where required, we use Google Analytics for Firebase and Firebase Crashlytics to understand how the app is used and to fix crashes. We log anonymous events such as “paywall viewed” or “purchase completed”, plus device model, OS and app version, approximate region and an app-instance identifier. We never log what is on your screen or which apps you use; the app enforces this with an allow-list of event parameters. Crash reports contain the error type and stack trace only. Firebase Remote Config is used to tune paywall and ad settings.
4. Advertising (Google AdMob and Unity Ads)
The free version shows ads inside the app only: one slim banner on the main Keys screen, an occasional full-screen ad after you save a key or ball design and return to the main screen, and optional rewarded ads you choose to watch to unlock the Ball designer for an hour. Ads never appear on the floating keys or ball, during onboarding or permission screens, on the paywall, or in the first two minutes of first use. Volkey Pro removes all ads.
Ads are served by Google AdMob, with Unity Ads competing through AdMob mediation and serving the banner directly. These partners may collect the advertising ID, device and usage information and approximate location derived from your IP address to serve and measure ads. See Google's and Unity's privacy policies.
5. Your choices (GDPR, UK GDPR, Swiss FADP, US state laws)
In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, Volkey asks for your consent through Google's consent message (IAB TCF) before personalised ads or analytics are used. If you decline, ads are non-personalised and analytics stays off. In US states with privacy laws (such as California, Virginia, Colorado), you can opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information and targeted advertising. You can change your choice at any time in Settings → Privacy choices.
Legal bases (GDPR): consent for analytics and personalised ads; performance of a contract for the features you use and for purchases; legitimate interest for crash diagnostics where consent is not required. You may request access, deletion, correction or portability of data we control, object to processing, or lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority. California residents (CCPA/CPRA): we do not sell personal information for money; ad partners may receive identifiers as described above, which you can opt out of in Privacy choices. We do not discriminate against users who exercise their rights.
6. Purchases
Subscriptions and the lifetime purchase are processed by Google Play. We never receive your payment details; Google tells the app whether Pro is active.
7. Retention and deletion
Your settings remain on your device until you reset them or uninstall the app. Removing the device admin permission is immediate. Analytics data is retained by Google for up to 14 months. See how to delete your data.
8. Children
Volkey is not directed to children under 13 (under 16 in the EEA) and we do not knowingly collect their data.
9. Changes
We will update this page if our practices change and revise the date above.