Privacy policy
RefShot
1. Scope and who we are
This policy describes the RefShot macOS app, provided by iPocket. RefShot offers screenshots, annotations, floating image references, text recognition, subject extraction and optional Pro screen recording.
RefShot does not require a RefShot account. The app does not include advertising, cross-app tracking or third-party analytics SDKs, and does not upload your screenshots, recognized text, cutouts, recordings or audio to iPocket. Local processing still involves handling your content; the table below describes that processing, rather than a claim that these records are collected by us.
Website visits and messages you voluntarily send to support are different from using the app. See section 8 for those boundaries.
2. Captures, image editing and recognition
RefShot accesses screen content when you start a capture or recording. A capture operation can temporarily handle a full display or selected window so that you can choose a region. The exported screenshot uses your final selection and rendered annotations. The app does not continuously capture the screen while idle or poll the clipboard in the background.
You can also select image files, paste an image or drag one into the app. These actions provide the content needed for editing and pinning; they do not grant RefShot permission to upload it.
Text recognition and subject extraction use Apple Vision on your Mac. Image OCR and cutout analysis use the current cropped and annotated image, including opaque covers. The recording preview can recognize text from its current paused frame locally. Recognition results are available in the relevant view; copying or saving them creates a separate copy at the destination you choose.
3. Screenshot history and original images
Screenshot history is off by default. When enabled, it stores local image files, editable annotations, thumbnails and metadata such as name, capture time and favorite status. The default retention is 7 days with a 1 GB capacity limit. You can change these settings. Cleanup runs when the app processes history; favorites are excluded from automatic expiry and capacity eviction.
Turning history off stops new entries and does not immediately delete existing records. Existing records remain subject to the retention rules. You can delete individual entries or choose Clear History in Settings, including to remove saved favorites. Images already open in editors or pins are separate active copies; close them if you no longer want to keep working with them.
An editable history entry can retain the original image beneath annotations. Use Keep Only Redacted Version to replace the current original with the rendered result, clear its editable annotations and undo history, and remove its earlier saved history version. If history is enabled, the resulting image can be saved as a new history version. This does not erase other imported copies, previous exports, clipboard contents or backups, and is not a guarantee of forensic erasure from storage.
4. Recordings, audio and recovery files
Area recording writes video and any enabled audio to local recovery storage in the app’s sandbox. These files and session metadata are independent of screenshot history, so disabling or clearing screenshot history does not delete recordings. RefShot may also create local working files while preparing video or exporting a GIF.
System audio and microphone recording are separate options, both initially off. RefShot remembers your choices. System audio can include sound playing from other apps on your Mac; microphone audio is captured only when enabled and authorized. Review the selected region and audio options before recording.
Canceling a save, a processing failure or an interrupted session can leave local material available for recovery. A recovery session is removed after its MP4 is successfully saved or when you explicitly discard it. Exporting a GIF alone keeps the original recording available. Recovery files have no screenshot-history expiry schedule; review Recover Recordings and discard files you no longer need. Recovery after an interruption is not guaranteed.
5. Permissions and local settings
- Screen capture / screen and system audio recording: macOS permission is needed for supported screen-capture and recording operations. It does not authorize uploading content. You can still import, edit and pin images without screen-capture permission.
- Microphone: requested when you enable microphone recording. Denying it leaves microphone input unavailable; recording without a microphone remains an option.
- Selected files and folders: system file panels let you choose images to open and export destinations. If you set a default export folder, RefShot saves its path and a system security-scoped bookmark locally. You can clear that selection in Settings.
- Launch at login: optional and initially off; managed through macOS.
Manage system permissions in System Settings → Privacy & Security. RefShot stores app preferences locally, including shortcut, language, display, history, recording and onboarding settings.
6. Apple purchases and other services
RefShot Pro is an optional non-consumable lifetime purchase handled by Apple’s App Store and StoreKit. The app requests product information and uses verified transactions to determine whether recording is unlocked. Restoring a purchase uses Apple services and may require a network connection or Apple authentication.
iPocket does not receive your payment-card details or Apple Account password. There is no iPocket account or purchase-verification server. Apple processes store, account and transaction information under its own Privacy Policy.
RefShot does not provide its own cloud sync or hosted sharing service. Apple Vision processes supported recognition tasks on device. These system frameworks are distinct from optional App Store network activity.
7. Exports, deletion and security
Copying content uses the macOS clipboard. Saving or dragging out an export creates a file at the location you select. Clipboard managers, Universal Clipboard, synced folders, backup software and apps receiving your files may keep or transfer copies according to their settings. RefShot does not control those copies. Temporary working or export files may also be created locally.
To remove saved app content, clear screenshot history and separately discard recordings, close active editors and pins, and manage exported files, clipboard copies and backups. Removing only the app bundle may leave its sandbox data on your Mac. Apple purchase records are managed separately through Apple.
RefShot uses the macOS app sandbox and system permission controls. Access to local data also depends on the security of your Mac, user account and backups. We cannot retrieve screenshots or recordings that were never sent to us, or delete copies held by another app or service.
8. Website visits and contacting support
The iPocket website has separate hosting, contact-form and optional analytics processing, described in the website privacy policy. Website analytics do not mean that an analytics SDK is present in RefShot.
If you email us or use the contact form, we receive the contact details, message and any files you choose to send. We use this information to respond and handle the request, retaining it as needed for that purpose and any applicable legal obligations. Send only the information needed for support. You can contact us to request access, correction or deletion of information you have provided, subject to applicable requirements. We do not sell that information.
9. Children, changes and contact
RefShot is a general-purpose productivity tool, not a service directed at children. We do not knowingly collect children’s personal information through support. If you believe a child has sent such information, contact us so we can review and address it.
We may update this policy when app behavior or data practices change. The effective date above identifies this version; material changes will be communicated as required.
For privacy questions, contact iPocket at contact@ipocket.xyz.
Data processing details
Screenshots, imported images and edits
- Required
- No
- Category
- User-selected visual content
- Purpose
- Capture, annotate, crop, display pins and export images at your request
- Storage
- Processed on your Mac; optional history, clipboard copies, temporary export files and chosen export destinations are separate
- Retention
- Active editing state lasts while in use; saved history and exported copies follow the rules below
- Opt-out
- Do not capture or import content; close images and separately delete saved copies
Recognized text and subject cutouts
- Required
- No
- Category
- Content derived from your images or a recording preview frame
- Purpose
- Recognize text and tables, or extract and refine a subject
- Storage
- Apple Vision processing on your Mac; results are not uploaded to iPocket
- Retention
- Held for the active view or operation; copied or exported results remain at the destination you choose
- Opt-out
- Do not use these features; close the view and manage any copies separately
Optional screenshot history
- Required
- No
- Category
- Images, annotations, thumbnails and local metadata
- Purpose
- Reopen and edit earlier captures
- Storage
- Local files and database in the app's sandbox; editable records may contain the original image
- Retention
- Off by default; when enabled, defaults to 7 days and a 1 GB limit. Favorites are excluded from automatic cleanup
- Opt-out
- Disable new history entries, delete individual entries or use Clear History; disabling alone does not erase existing records
Recordings and optional audio
- Required
- No
- Category
- Screen video, selected audio and recording-session metadata
- Purpose
- Record an area, preview the result, create GIFs and recover unsaved recordings
- Storage
- Local recovery files in the app's sandbox, separate from screenshot history; exported copies at your chosen destination
- Retention
- Recovery sessions remain until the MP4 is successfully saved or the recording is explicitly discarded; GIF export alone keeps the source
- Opt-out
- Do not record, leave audio off, revoke microphone permission, or discard recordings through the app
Preferences and folder access
- Required
- Yes
- Category
- Local configuration
- Purpose
- Remember language, appearance, shortcuts, history and recording options, onboarding state and your chosen export folder
- Storage
- Local preferences, including a system security-scoped bookmark for a selected export folder
- Retention
- Until changed, cleared where supported, or removed with the app's local data
- Opt-out
- Change settings or clear the saved export-folder selection
Pro purchase entitlement
- Required
- No
- Category
- Apple purchase and transaction status
- Purpose
- Unlock Pro recording, verify entitlement and restore a previous purchase
- Storage
- Apple App Store / StoreKit records and locally verified entitlement state; no iPocket purchase server
- Retention
- Apple manages transaction records; the app refreshes the local entitlement from StoreKit
- Opt-out
- Do not purchase; manage purchase records and refund requests through Apple