Private by default
No beacen account
beacen does not require a beacen account. You can import and navigate routes without creating a profile or signing in to beacen.
On device
Your routes
Imported and recorded routes are stored locally by default. A route can include its name, ordered geography, elevations, timestamps, waypoints and derived distance or elevation information. Trimming creates a confirmed retained section without silently publishing it.
Deleting a local route removes beacen’s local copy and its associated local metadata. Temporary GPX files created for sharing are removed automatically.
Optional sync
Optional private iCloud sync
On Apple devices, sync with iCloud is off by default. If you enable it, beacen stores your Trails, route metadata, favourites, public-link management state and selected app settings in your private Apple iCloud and CloudKit account. These records use your private CloudKit database; they are not public Library records.
Turning sync off stops future syncing but does not delete records already held in your private iCloud database. Deleting a synced route is propagated through the sync process when sync is available.
On device
Location on your device
beacen uses live location, heading, course, speed and accuracy on your device for navigation, off-route and rejoin guidance, route recording, Apple Watch navigation and Library Near Me sorting. Near Me compares one requested location with the downloaded Library catalogue on your device.
beacen does not upload your ordinary live navigation location, Near Me location, breadcrumb history or Debug field diagnostics. Location becomes network data only when it is part of a route that you deliberately sync privately or publish through a public share link.
Public catalogue
The public Library
Browsing the Library reads public route records and route files from beacen’s services. Search, filters, Near Me ordering, favourites and saved-route organisation are handled on your device. Saving a Library route does not publish your identity or location; on Apple devices, it enters private iCloud sync only if you have separately enabled that setting.
No tracking
Analytics, advertising and crash reporting
beacen does not currently use advertising, tracking, third-party analytics or a third-party crash-reporting SDK. beacen does not sell personal data. Platform services used by beacen operate under their providers’ terms and privacy practices, including Apple services such as MapKit, CloudKit and iCloud.
Public only when you choose
When you choose to share.
Sharing a GPX file directly
You can still choose Share GPX File through your device’s normal share flow without creating a public link. The exported file may contain the route name, route geography, and waypoint information already present in the imported file, such as waypoint names, comments, descriptions, elevations, timestamps, symbols or types. beacen does not create this waypoint information. You choose the file and the person or app that receives it.
Policy
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated as beacen develops. The date above will change when the policy is revised.
A clear answer, from a person
Questions about privacy?
Email support@beacen.app. For setup and troubleshooting, visit beacen support.