Summary
Screenshot Butler is local-first. It does not require a Screenshot Butler account and does not include advertising, tracking, analytics, telemetry, or a developer-operated library backend. Parity Labs does not sell personal information.
The apps process screenshots, recordings, recognized text, codes, notes, tags, reminders, and other library information on the user's device. When a user with Pro enables private iCloud sync, app-owned Butler records and assets synchronize through Apple's CloudKit service into that user's private iCloud database. Private CloudKit database content is not visible to Parity Labs in the CloudKit developer portal.
Information the apps use
Screenshot Butler may use the following information only to provide features the user chooses:
- Images selected with Apple's system photo picker or shared to the app.
- Screenshot assets visible through the Photos permission the user grants.
- Files inside Mac folders the user explicitly selects with Apple's folder picker.
- Screen recordings the user imports or explicitly starts through ReplayKit or ScreenCaptureKit.
- Text, QR codes, barcodes, dates, prices, addresses, links, tracking numbers, and other facts recognized locally from selected content.
- Titles, notes, tags, favorites, bundles, edits, reminders, and Calendar event proposals created or confirmed by the user.
Screenshot Butler does not read the entire Photos library unless the user grants that level of access. Mac folder access is limited to folders the user selects. The Mac app does not request Full Disk Access and does not read or change the system screenshot destination preference.
On-device processing
Vision OCR, QR and barcode recognition, deterministic classification, search, comparison, stitching, recording reconstruction, annotation, redaction, and document export run on the device. On supported iPhone and iPad devices, Apple's on-device Foundation Models may process up to 6,000 characters of recognized screenshot text to suggest a concise title, summary, allowed category, confidence, and tags. Screenshot pixels are never supplied to that model.
On supported iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, conversational search supplies only the search phrase the user typed, capped at 500 characters, to refine supported search filters. It never supplies screenshot pixels, recognized text, notes, facts, codes, source identifiers, or library records. Every core feature works without Apple Intelligence.
Private iCloud sync
When Pro private sync is enabled, Screenshot Butler sends app-owned library data and assets to Apple CloudKit solely to keep the user's library available across their Apple devices. The data is stored in the user's private CloudKit database. Photos identifiers, Finder paths, device-local source state, local notification requests, and Apple Calendar identifiers are excluded from sync.
Private sync depends on the user's Apple ID, iCloud availability, and iCloud storage. Users can continue using local records while offline. Parity Labs does not operate a separate Screenshot Butler account or server that receives the synchronized library.
Public webpage capture
Web Capture contacts the public website address the user enters so the page can be loaded and rendered. The temporary browser session does not retain cookies in Screenshot Butler. Local and private-network addresses and embedded credentials are blocked. The destination website and its service providers may receive ordinary web-request information under their own privacy policies; Parity Labs does not receive that traffic.
Apple services and permissions
- Photos access is used only for user-selected import, screenshot-album discovery, and Apple-confirmed original deletion.
- Reminders access is requested only when the user confirms an Apple Reminder.
- Calendar write-only access is requested only when the user saves a reviewed event proposal. Screenshot Butler does not store or synchronize the EventKit identifier.
- Notification access is requested only when the user explicitly enables a future-dated alert. Alerts remain local to that device.
- ReplayKit and ScreenCaptureKit use Apple's confirmation or content picker. Microphone audio is disabled, and direct recordings stop after three minutes.
- StoreKit is used to verify purchases and restore access. Parity Labs does not receive payment-card information from the app.
Deletion and control
Screenshot Butler never deletes a Photos or Finder original automatically. Original deletion requires a specific user choice and Apple's confirmation or a move to the Mac Trash. Butler-only removal does not delete the source original.
Users can remove individual Butler records, remove all local app data, export local library metadata, revoke Photos or folder access in system settings, and stop private synchronization by disabling the applicable iCloud access. Removing the app may remove local app data; synchronized private CloudKit data follows Apple's iCloud behavior and the deletion actions provided by Screenshot Butler.
Data retention and security
Local information remains until the user removes it, removes the app, or the operating system removes app data. Synchronized information remains in the user's private CloudKit database until deleted through supported app or iCloud behavior. App-owned files use Apple platform storage protections. No security measure can guarantee absolute protection, but Screenshot Butler minimizes access and does not maintain a developer-operated copy of the library.
Children
Screenshot Butler is not directed to children and is not designated for Apple's Kids category. The app does not knowingly collect personal information through a Parity Labs service.
Changes
Parity Labs may update this policy when the apps or legal requirements change. The effective date above will be updated, and material changes will be reflected on this app-specific policy page.
Contact
Questions specifically about Screenshot Butler privacy can be sent to [email protected].