Privacy-First Design: HabitNode stores the majority of your data locally on your device using an encrypted Hive database. Cloud features โ including the Global Leaderboard, Google Drive Backup, Social Chat, Profile Likes, and Public Profile โ are entirely optional and require your explicit consent before activation. Alarms and notifications operate locally on your device and never transmit data to our servers. You remain in full control of your data at all times.
By downloading, installing, or using HabitNode, you agree to this Privacy Policy and our Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the App immediately.
The following data is stored exclusively on your device using the Hive encrypted local database and is never transmitted to our servers unless you explicitly enable a cloud feature:
๐ Global Leaderboard & Public Profile (Opt-In Required) v1.0.5
If you voluntarily join the global leaderboard, the following data is stored in Google Cloud Firestore:
Your Privacy Controls: You may toggle visibility of your level, badges, and study hours independently. You may opt out or permanently delete your cloud profile at any time via Settings โ Leaderboard โ Opt Out or Delete Profile.
The Leaderboard screen includes three tabs: Weekly, All Time, and You Liked (showing profiles you have liked).
โ ๏ธ What other users can see: Only your display name, avatar, tagline, bio, country code, XP, level (if enabled), badges (if enabled), study time (if enabled), social posts, and total like count. Your email address is never shown to other users. Use of leaderboard features is governed by our Terms & Conditions.
โค๏ธ Profile Like System (Opt-In โ Leaderboard Required) v1.0.5
HabitNode includes a Profile Like feature that allows users to show appreciation for other users' public profiles. When you use this feature:
likes subcollection under that user's Firestore documentData stored per like record in Firestore:
likerUid โ your Firebase UIDlikedAt โ server timestamp of when the like was createdDeletion: If you delete your cloud profile, all like records associated with your UID as the liker are removed. If the liked profile is deleted, the entire likes subcollection is removed automatically.
๐ Like data is never shared with advertisers, third parties, or used for profiling purposes. It exists solely to enable the social appreciation feature within HabitNode.
โ๏ธ Google Drive Auto-Backup (User-Initiated)
When you enable Google Drive backup, your data is encrypted and uploaded to your private Google Drive appDataFolder. This folder is invisible to other apps and accessible only by you and HabitNode.
Data covered by backup: All habits, routines, study sessions, study targets, leaderboard profile (local copy), personal notes, app settings, preferences, alarm configurations, and notification history.
Auto-Restore on Sign-In: When you sign in with Google on a new device or after reinstalling, HabitNode automatically checks for an existing Google Drive backup and restores your data silently in the background.
Backup Frequency Options: Every change (with debounce), daily, weekly, or on app exit. Works on both WiFi and mobile data. An offline pending queue ensures no data loss when connectivity is unavailable.
Chat messages and profile likes are NOT included in Google Drive backup โ they are stored in Firestore and managed separately.
๐ฌ Social Chat & Direct Messaging (Optional โ Account Required)
HabitNode includes a built-in real-time direct messaging system. Messages are transmitted over HTTPS/TLS encrypted channels and stored in Google Cloud Firestore. Free users have a daily message limit (20 messages/day); Pro users have unlimited messaging.
Your controls: Delete individual messages (Unsend) ยท Clear entire chat history ยท Block users ยท Report users
๐ Chat usage is subject to our Terms & Conditions.
๐ข Social Feed & Posts (Optional)
If you choose to share a post on the Social Feed (maximum 500 words per post), your author UID, display name, avatar emoji, XP score, post text, and timestamps are stored publicly in Firestore.
๐ Professional Lock-Screen Alarm System
HabitNode includes a professional-grade alarm system designed to reliably wake you up and remind you of your habits, similar to standard alarm clock apps. This section explains how it works and what data it handles.
โ ๏ธ Alarm Screen Lockdown: When an alarm is actively ringing on your locked device, the alarm interface is the only accessible screen. This is an intentional security design to prevent unauthorized access to your app data while your device remains locked.
What this means:
๐ This ensures that even if someone steals your device while an alarm is ringing, they cannot access your habit data, notes, or any other content.
โ Zero Data Collection from Alarms
The alarm system operates 100% locally on your device. We collect no data from alarm operations:
To ensure reliable alarm sound playback, HabitNode runs a brief foreground service when an alarm fires. This service:
You have full control over the alarm system. You can:
โ ๏ธ Not for Critical/Safety Use: While HabitNode employs industry-standard mechanisms (full-screen intents, exact alarms, wake locks, foreground service) for reliable alarm delivery, alarm functionality may be affected by:
You acknowledge that HabitNode alarms should not be solely relied upon for critical, life-safety, medical, or emergency purposes. For guaranteed alarm delivery, we recommend whitelisting HabitNode from battery optimization in your device settings. VHIR Tech is not liable for missed alarms or any consequences thereof.
๐ต Offline-First Architecture
HabitNode is designed to work fully offline. All habit tracking, study timer, notes, alarms, notifications, and local analytics work without any network connection. Cloud features are gracefully disabled when offline โ no data loss occurs. Cached leaderboard data and "You Liked" tab profiles display from local cache. When connectivity returns, cloud operations resume automatically.
When you sign in with Google, we receive your Google email address, display name, profile photo URL, and unique Firebase Authentication UID. This data is used solely for authentication and cloud feature access. By signing in, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.
๐ About Your UID
Every HabitNode user who signs in receives a unique identifier (UID) generated by Firebase Authentication. This UID is visible on your profile, used for player search, stored in leaderboard and like records, and cannot be changed. It is not your email address.
HabitNode requires the following Android permissions to deliver its features. Each permission is used solely for its stated purpose:
| Permission | Purpose | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM | Fire habit alarms at the exact user-scheduled time | Yes (alarms) |
| USE_EXACT_ALARM | Alternative exact alarm mechanism for newer Android versions | Yes (alarms) |
| USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT | Display full-screen alarm UI over the lock screen | Yes (alarms) |
| WAKE_LOCK | Keep CPU/screen awake during active alarm | Yes (alarms) |
| DISABLE_KEYGUARD | Allow alarm display without unlocking device | Yes (alarms) |
| TURN_SCREEN_ON | Wake the device screen when alarm fires | Yes (alarms) |
| FOREGROUND_SERVICE | Run brief service for alarm sound playback | Yes (alarms) |
| FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK | Type declaration for alarm sound foreground service | Yes (alarms) |
| POST_NOTIFICATIONS | Send habit reminders, alarms, and chat notifications | Yes |
| VIBRATE | Vibration for alarms and notifications | Yes |
| RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED | Re-schedule alarms after device restart | Yes |
| INTERNET / NETWORK_STATE | Cloud sync, chat, leaderboard, ads | Yes (cloud) |
| READ_MEDIA_AUDIO | Pick custom alarm sound from device | Optional |
| READ_MEDIA_IMAGES / VIDEO | Attach media to notes (future feature) | Optional |
| Service | Provider | Purpose | Data Sent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdMob | Google LLC | Banner advertisements | Anonymous ad identifiers |
| Unity Ads | Unity Technologies | Interstitial & rewarded ads | Anonymous ad identifiers |
| Firebase Authentication | Google LLC | Secure Google Sign-In | Email, UID, display name |
| Cloud Firestore | Google LLC | Leaderboard, chat, social feed, profile likes | Display name, XP, messages, posts, like records |
| Google Drive API | Google LLC | Auto-backup & restore | Encrypted habit data (appDataFolder) |
| Firebase Cloud Messaging | Google LLC | Habit alarm & reminder notifications | FCM device token |
| Google Play Billing | Google LLC | Pro subscription | Transaction data only |
| Flutter Local Notifications | Open-source SDK | Local alarms & reminders (on-device only) | None โ runs locally |
HabitNode is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such data, we will delete it immediately. Parents/guardians may contact us at vhirsupport@gmail.com for any concerns.
Cloud data is processed by Google Cloud Platform, which may store data in various regions. By using cloud features, you consent to international data transfer in accordance with Google's privacy policies.
To exercise your rights, contact vhirsupport@gmail.com.
appDataFolderWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated via in-app notification or update notes. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance. Last updated: June 2026 (v1.0.5).