BOOKSHELF FOR MACOS, IPADOS & IOS

Privacy Policy

Effective October 20, 2026. Bookshelf is a free application for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS.

1. Local-First Operation and Read-Only Ingestion

Bookshelf reads your local Apple Books catalog, collections, reading sessions, and highlights directly on your device in strictly read-only mode. The application never modifies, writes to, or alters your Apple Books SQLite databases (BKLibrary, BKJaliscoServerSource, AEAnnotation, or BCRecentlyOpenedBooksDB).

2. Zero Telemetry, Analytics, or Third-Party Tracking

Bookshelf collects no analytics, telemetry, crash reports, advertising identifiers, or usage profiles. The application contains no third-party advertising or tracking SDKs.

3. Personal Curation and Optional Cloud Sync

Your reading statuses, star ratings, custom tags, reading lists, and commonplace notes are stored locally on your device inside your personal Bookshelf SQLite catalog and optional iCloud Drive sync file. If you deploy your own web shelf, only the collections you explicitly mark as public are visible to visitors; your personal notes, reading history, and marginalia remain private.

4. Network Requests

When a volume lacks local cover artwork, Bookshelf may fetch cover images directly from Apple's book artwork CDN or OpenLibrary by ISBN. No personal identity or reading data is transmitted with cover artwork requests.

5. Contact

Questions regarding privacy may be directed via the Bookshelf Support page at https://bookshelf.tools/support.