# Sonare Privacy Policy
Last updated: 24 August 2026
Sonare is a music-learning and practice app published by Shepherd Sounds, the trading name of Richard Felix Shepherd.
Website: https://www.shepherdsounds.co.uk
Privacy enquiries: privacy@shepherdsounds.co.uk
Support: support@shepherdsounds.co.uk
1. Overview
Sonare is designed as a local-first app. Ordinary practice, progress tracking, saved work and teacher-workspace information are stored on the user's device. Sonare does not require a Shepherd Sounds cloud account and, in the current release design, Shepherd Sounds does not operate a server that receives users' practice data.
2. Microphone access
Some Sonare features, including tuner and pitch-scored activities, use the device microphone after the user grants microphone permission.
Live microphone samples are analysed on the device to estimate pitch, tuning and audio level. Ordinary release features do not save raw microphone recordings or send microphone audio to Shepherd Sounds or to a remote pitch-analysis service.
Users can decline microphone permission or change it later in Android settings. Features designed to work without microphone scoring, including Play Along / No Mic, do not require microphone capture.
3. Information stored on the device
Depending on how Sonare is used, the app may store the following locally:
- practice history, activity results and progress information;
- badge and Path completion information;
- report profile information such as a display name or nickname, instrument, current goal and practice target;
- saved Lessons, Drills, Backings, Scale Setlists, Metronome presets and Teaching Packs;
- imported teacher feedback and learning reports;
- Teacher Zone information entered by the user, which can include learner or group names, organisation labels, lesson notes, teacher reviews and teaching plans;
- app preferences, microphone calibration settings and other setup choices.
This information is stored within Sonare's app-private storage or preferences and is not automatically uploaded to Shepherd Sounds.
Users who enter information about another person, for example a learner's name or lesson notes, should only enter information they are entitled to use and should avoid unnecessary identifying information.
4. Sharing, exporting and importing
Sonare allows users to export, share, open and import supported content such as Lesson Notes, User Reports, Practice Packs and teaching resources.
These actions happen only when the user deliberately chooses them. Android's file picker, share sheet or another selected app handles the destination. Shared files may contain the learning, profile or teaching information selected by the user, so users should check the destination and contents before sending them.
Shepherd Sounds does not automatically receive a copy of files shared in this way.
5. Analytics and diagnostics
The current Sonare release design does not use a remote product-analytics service or remote crash-reporting service. Development analytics and performance diagnostics are local development tools and are not automatically uploaded in the production Release build.
If a user chooses to contact support, they may decide to send screenshots, exported files or copied device/app details. Shepherd Sounds will use information sent for support only as reasonably necessary to respond to the request, diagnose the reported issue, maintain appropriate records and meet legal obligations.
6. External links
Sonare may open external links, for example a website or resource, in another app such as the user's browser. The external service's own privacy policy applies once the user leaves Sonare.
7. Purchases
Sonare may offer a one-time Full Access purchase through Google Play Billing. Google processes payment details under Google's own terms and privacy policies. Shepherd Sounds does not receive or store the user's full payment-card or bank-account details.
Sonare may receive purchase or entitlement status from Google Play as needed to unlock and restore Full Access.
8. Data retention and deletion
Local Sonare data remains on the device until it is deleted by the user, removed by Android, cleared through Sonare's Settings controls, or removed when the app's data is cleared or the app is uninstalled.
Sonare provides controls to clear practice history, clear saved work and reset all app data. Reset All App Data is intended to remove achievements, practice history, saved work, report-profile information, Teacher Zone learner/lesson information and current setup while preserving any valid app-access entitlement.
Temporary import/export files may also be created in Sonare's private cache as part of user-requested file operations. Android may clear cache data automatically, and users can clear the app's cache or app data through Android settings.
9. Backup and device transfer
Sonare does not provide its own cloud backup or cloud-sync service. The Android release is configured to disable Android cloud backup for Sonare app data. Depending on Android version and device manufacturer, the operating system may still offer device-to-device migration independently of Sonare.
10. Security
Sonare stores local information within Android's app-private storage and relies on Android's application sandbox and device security protections. No method of storage is completely risk-free. Users should protect access to their device and take care when choosing where to share exported files.
11. Children's and learner information
Sonare is a general music-learning and teaching tool and does not create online learner accounts or automatically collect children's information for Shepherd Sounds. Teachers, parents or other users who enter information about learners remain responsible for using and sharing that information appropriately.
12. Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated if Sonare's features, data practices, legal requirements or platform requirements change. The latest version will be published at the Sonare privacy-policy page on the Shepherd Sounds website, with the updated date shown above.
13. Contact
For privacy questions or requests relating to information that you have deliberately sent to Shepherd Sounds, contact:
For general app support, contact: