Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Mote ("the app") is developed and operated as an independent app by the Mote developer ("we", "us"). This policy explains what data the app accesses, why, and how it's handled. Mote is a local-network remote control — it does not have user accounts, and it does not operate its own backend servers that store your personal information.

What Mote accesses on your device

  • Local network / Wi-Fi state — used to discover Android TVs on the same Wi-Fi network and to open a direct, encrypted (mTLS) connection to the TV you pair with. Remote-control commands (button presses, typed text) travel directly between your phone and your TV over your local network. They are never sent to us.
  • Microphone — used only when you tap the voice-typing button. Audio is handed to your device's built-in speech-recognition service (typically provided by Google/Android) to convert speech to text, which is then sent to your TV as typed input. Mote does not record, store, or transmit this audio to its own servers. Use of Android's speech recognition service is governed by Google's own privacy policy.
  • Advertising ID — on the free tier, Mote displays ads served by Google AdMob. AdMob may use your device's advertising identifier for ad delivery and measurement, subject to Google's advertising and privacy policies. You can reset or opt out of ad personalization from your device's Settings > Privacy > Ads.

What we store

Paired TV details, connection certificates, and app preferences (such as your chosen navigation mode) are stored locally on your device using Android's private app storage. They are not uploaded anywhere. Uninstalling the app removes this data.

Feedback and diagnostics (only if you send them)

If you use Settings → Report a Problem / Send Feedback, the message you write is sent to us and filed as a private support ticket, together with your app version, phone model, Android version, and whether a TV is connected. If you leave "Include diagnostic info" ticked, we also receive Mote's own recent log lines, the type of network the phone is on (Wi-Fi, Ethernet or VPN), its local network address, and the local network addresses and names of TVs found by a short scan at that moment. This is used only to fix the problem you reported. Diagnostics never include your Wi-Fi network name, and nothing is sent unless you tap Send. If you enter an email address, it is used only to reply to you.

Anonymous usage counts

Mote sends a small number of anonymous counters so we can see where the app needs work: whether the watch-ads offer was shown and completed, and whether pairing with a TV succeeded or failed, including a coarse failure reason and the TV manufacturer's code (the first three bytes of the TV's Bluetooth address, which identifies the maker, not your TV). These counts contain no account, device identifier, IP address, TV name, or full hardware address, and cannot be linked back to you.

Ads and consent

Where required (for example in the European Economic Area and the UK), Mote asks for your consent through Google's User Messaging Platform before showing ads, and ads are not requested until that choice is made. You can change your choice later from the same prompt when it is offered.

Purchases

Premium subscriptions and the lifetime unlock are processed entirely through Google Play Billing. We never see or store your payment card details — Google handles all billing information under its own privacy and payment policies.

Third-party services

  • Google AdMob (ads, free tier only)
  • Google Play Billing (subscriptions and purchases)
  • Android system speech recognition (voice typing, Premium)

Each of these operates under Google's privacy policy, available at policies.google.com/privacy.

Data we don't collect

Mote does not require an account, does not collect your name, email, or contact list, and does not track your activity on other apps or websites. We do not sell personal data.

Children's privacy

Mote is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, we'll update the date above. Continued use of the app after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Email support@moteremote.app.