SMS Messenger
PRIVACY POLICY
SMSMessenger
Effective date: October 28, 2026
Last updated: October 28, 2026 (App version 1.0)
App name: SMS Messenger
Version: 1.0
Package name: com.messenger.sms.home
This Privacy Policy describes how ("we", "us", "our") accesses, collects, uses and shares information when you use the SMSMessenger app for Android (the "App"), distributed through Google Play. Please read it carefully. By installing or using the App you agree to this Privacy Policy.
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1. SUMMARY
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- SMSMessenger is an SMS/MMS messaging app. It works as your default SMS app so that it can show, send and receive your text messages.
- Your messages and contacts are processed only on your device. We do NOT upload, store, sell, share or transfer your SMS/MMS content, phone numbers from your messages, or your contact list to our servers or to any third party.
- The App is free and supported by ads. Google AdMob, Google Firebase and Meta (Facebook) SDKs may collect limited device and usage information (for example the advertising ID, device model and app interactions) for advertising, analytics and crash reporting, as described in Section 5.
- You can control permissions, ad personalization and consent at any time.
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2. PERMISSIONS AND SENSITIVE DATA (PROMINENT DISCLOSURE)
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SMS and Call Log access - default SMS handler
The App requests SMS permissions only because its core function is to be your default SMS app. This access is granted when you choose SMSMessenger as your default SMS app, and it is used only to provide messaging features to you. SMS data is never used for advertising, never used to build user profiles, and never transferred off your device by us.
The App uses the following permissions:
a) READ_SMS, SEND_SMS, RECEIVE_SMS, RECEIVE_MMS, RECEIVE_WAP_PUSH
Purpose: show your conversations, send messages you write, receive incoming SMS and MMS, show new message notifications, block numbers you choose, and schedule messages. Message content stays in your phone's own message storage.
b) READ_CONTACTS
Purpose: show contact names and photos next to phone numbers and let you choose a contact when writing a new message. Contacts are read on the device only and are never uploaded.
c) POST_NOTIFICATIONS, VIBRATE
Purpose: notify you of new messages and provide "Reply" and "Mark as read" actions in the notification.
d) SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM, RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
Purpose: send a message you have scheduled at the exact time you chose, and restore your scheduled messages after the phone restarts.
e) INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
Purpose: load ads, download app settings, and send analytics and crash reports. Sending and receiving SMS does not use the internet.
f) com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID, ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID, ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION, ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS, ACCESS_ADSERVICES_CUSTOM_AUDIENCE, and the Google Play Install Referrer permission
Purpose: used by the advertising and measurement SDKs described in Section 5 to show and measure ads and to know how the App was installed.
g) WAKE_LOCK, FOREGROUND_SERVICE
Purpose: used by Android system libraries included in the App (for example to finish background tasks such as delivering a scheduled message reliably). They do not give access to any personal data.
h) REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES [HOME SCREEN FEATURE - remove this item if the home screen feature is removed]
Purpose: lets you uninstall an app from the App's home screen. The App only opens Android's own uninstall confirmation; nothing is removed without your confirmation.
You can withdraw any permission at any time in your device Settings > Apps > SMSMessenger > Permissions, or by choosing a different default SMS app. Some features will stop working without the related permission.
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2A. OPTIONAL HOME SCREEN (LAUNCHER) [remove this section if the home screen feature is removed]
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The App also includes an optional home screen (launcher) with an app drawer, a dock, app search and voice search. If you choose to set SMSMessenger as your default Home app:
- The App reads the list of apps installed on your device that can be opened, only to show them in the app drawer and dock and to let you search and open them. This list is processed only on your device and is never uploaded to us or shared with anyone.
- Voice search uses Android's built-in speech recognition screen; the App does not record audio itself and has no microphone permission.
- You can stop using the home screen at any time in device Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app.
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3. DATA STORED ONLY ON YOUR DEVICE
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The following information is stored locally inside the App on your device and is not sent to us:
- App settings (for example language and display preferences)
- Pinned, archived and bookmarked conversations
- Blocked numbers
- Quick responses you create
- Scheduled messages and their send times
Smart reply suggestions are generated on your device using simple built-in rules; your messages are not sent anywhere to create them.
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4. BACKUP AND RESTORE
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You can choose to back up your text messages to a file and restore them later. The backup file is created only when you start a backup, and it is saved only to a location you select with the Android file picker (for example your phone storage, SD card or a cloud storage app of your choice). We never receive or have access to this file. If you save it to a third-party cloud service, that service's privacy policy applies.
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5. DATA COLLECTED BY THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
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The App includes the following third-party SDKs. They may automatically collect information such as: device model and manufacturer, Android version, app version, language, country/approximate location derived from IP address, IP address, advertising ID, app instance ID, app interactions (for example app opens and screens viewed), ad impressions and clicks, install source, performance data and crash logs. They do NOT receive your messages, message content, or contacts.
a) Google AdMob - advertising
Shows banner, native, interstitial, rewarded and app open ads, and measures ad performance. With your consent where required, ads may be personalized using the advertising ID.
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
How Google uses information from apps: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
b) Google User Messaging Platform (UMP) - consent
In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and other regions where required, the App asks for your consent before personalized ads are shown. You can change your choice later from the App.
c) Google Firebase Analytics - usage analytics
d) Google Firebase Crashlytics - crash reporting and diagnostics
e) Google Firebase Performance Monitoring - app performance data
f) Google Firebase Realtime Database - used only to download app and ad settings; no personal information or message data is uploaded
Firebase Privacy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
g) Google Play Install Referrer - tells us how the App was installed (for example from an ad campaign), used to measure our marketing.
h) Meta (Facebook) SDK - app event measurement and advertising attribution
Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/
i) Sponsored links
The App may show sponsored website links. A link opens in your web browser (Chrome Custom Tab). The website you visit has its own privacy policy, which we do not control.
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6. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
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We use information only to:
- provide the messaging features of the App;
- show ads that keep the App free;
- understand how the App is used and improve it;
- detect, investigate and fix crashes and performance problems;
- measure the effectiveness of our marketing;
- comply with legal obligations.
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7. DATA SHARING
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- We do not sell your personal information.
- We do not share your SMS/MMS content or your contacts with anyone.
- Information automatically collected by the SDKs in Section 5 is shared with those service providers (Google and Meta) for the purposes described there.
- We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect our rights, users or the public.
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8. DATA SECURITY
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Your messages are handled by Android's own protected message storage on your device. Data sent by the third-party SDKs is transmitted using encryption in transit (HTTPS). No method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect information.
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9. DATA RETENTION AND DELETION
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- Messages, contacts and in-app data remain on your device until you delete them or uninstall the App. Uninstalling the App removes its local data; your messages remain in your phone's message storage.
- The App does not require you to create an account, so there is no account to delete.
- Data collected by Google and Meta SDKs is retained according to their policies (for example, Firebase Analytics data is retained for up to 14 months by default).
- You can reset your advertising ID or delete it in your device settings.
- To request deletion of any data associated with your app instance, email us at console@vtbitsolution.com. We will respond within 30 days.
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10. YOUR CHOICES AND RIGHTS
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- Permissions: turn them on or off at any time in device Settings.
- Default SMS app: you can choose another default SMS app at any time in device Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Ads: opt out of personalized ads or reset/delete your advertising ID in Settings > Google > Ads (or Settings > Privacy > Ads, depending on your device). Where required, you can change your ad consent from the App.
- Notifications: turn them off in device Settings.
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR in the EU/UK, the CCPA/CPRA in California, or the Digital Personal Data Protection Act in India), you may have the right to access, correct, delete or restrict the processing of your personal information, to object to processing, to withdraw consent, and to data portability. To exercise these rights, contact us at console@vtbitsolution.com.
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11. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
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The App is not directed to children under 13 years of age (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the App, contact us and we will delete it.
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12. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
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Our service providers (Google and Meta) may process information on servers located outside your country, including in the United States. These providers use appropriate safeguards required by applicable law.
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13. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
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We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted at this link with a new "Last updated" date. Please review it periodically. Continued use of the App after changes means you accept the updated policy.
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14. CONTACT US
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If you have any questions, requests or complaints about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us at email.