Privacy Policy

NTFS Reader is an Android app that lets you browse, copy and modify files on NTFS, exFAT, FAT32 and Linux (ext2, ext3 and ext4) USB drives, including drives encrypted with BitLocker To Go or LUKS, and browse and manage files on your device’s own storage. Write support for NTFS and Linux (ext2, ext3 and ext4) drives is unlocked by an optional one-time in-app purchase. This page sets out exactly what data the app does and does not handle.

Information we collect

None. NTFS Reader does not collect, store, transmit or share any personal information. The app contains no analytics, no crash reporters, no advertising SDKs and no trackers of any kind. It has no accounts and no sign-in.

The app makes no network requests except Google Play Billing, used solely for the optional in-app purchase (see Purchases below), and Google's optional "rate this app" prompt. Both are handled by Google's own libraries talking to the Google Play Store app on your device. Because those libraries are included, the app's manifest declares the INTERNET,ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE and com.android.vending.BILLING permissions. Nothing about your files, file names, folders or drives is ever transmitted.

USB drive access

The app reads and writes the contents of USB drives you physically attach to your device. All file operations happen locally on your device. No file names, directory listings or file contents are sent anywhere.

If you unlock a BitLocker To Go- or LUKS-encrypted drive, the password, 48-digit recovery key or key file you provide is used only in memory, on your device, to decrypt that drive for the current session. It is never transmitted, and it is never written to disk unless you choose to have the app remember it (below).

Remember drive passwords (Settings → Encrypted drives) is an optional setting, off by default. When you turn it on, the app stores the password, 48-digit recovery key or key file of each drive you unlock on your device, encrypted with a key that is kept in your device's Android Keystore (hardware-backed where the device supports it) and cannot be exported, so that the same drive can unlock automatically the next time you attach it. You can also require your fingerprint, face or screen lock before a saved password is used. Stored credentials never leave your device: they are not transmitted, not included in bug reports, and not part of any backup. They are deleted when you turn the setting off, and removed together with the app when you uninstall it.

Local storage access (All files access)

NTFS Reader can also act as a file manager for your device's own storage - browsing your internal storage and any built-in SD card, and copying, moving, renaming and deleting files there or between your device and an attached USB drive. To provide this general file-management functionality, the app requests the All files access permission (MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) on Android 11 and later, or the standard storage permissions on older versions.

This permission is used solely to let you browse and manage your own files on your device, at your direction. The app does not read, collect, index, upload or transmit your files, file names or folder contents. Nothing on your storage ever leaves your device. Access is used only while you are using the app, and only on the files and folders you choose to act on.

Permissions

NTFS Reader requests only the permissions required to operate a USB host connection, display a foreground-service notification while a drive is attached, access files on your device’s storage when you choose to use the local file manager (see above), and complete the optional in-app purchase through Google Play. No permission is used to send your data to the developer or to any remote service.

Purchases

Write support for NTFS and Linux (ext2, ext3 and ext4) drives is unlocked by an optional one-time in-app purchase. Reading NTFS and Linux drives, and full read and write support for exFAT and FAT32 drives, are free and are never gated behind it.

The purchase is processed entirely by Google Play. The developer never sees, receives or stores your payment details, billing address or Google account information. Google's handling of that data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Google Play's terms.

Your unlock status is stored only on your device, in the app's own private settings. Nothing about your purchase is sent to the developer. If you reinstall the app or set up a new device, Google Play restores the purchase to your account automatically.

Customers who previously bought the separate NTFS Reader Pro app receive write support at no additional charge. To detect this, the app checks whether that app is installed on your device and verifies its signing certificate. This check runs entirely on your device; no information about your installed apps is collected or transmitted.

Third-party services

The app integrates no analytics platforms, advertising networks or third-party trackers. The only third-party components are Google's own Play Billing library, for the in-app purchase, and Google's optional in-app review prompt - both of which operate through the Google Play Store app on your device.

Children's privacy

The app does not collect data from anyone, including children under 13.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, the updated version is posted at this URL with a revised "last updated" date.

Contact

Questions about this policy can be sent to ntfsreadersupport@gmail.com.

These terms govern your use of the NTFS Reader: USB + BitLocker Android application ("the app"), including any optional in-app purchase made within it. By installing or using the app, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use the app.

Licence

The app is licensed, not sold. You are granted a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to use it on devices you own or control. The app and its source code are proprietary. Your use is also subject to Google Play's Terms of Service.

Back up your data - use at your own risk

NTFS Reader can modify, move and delete files on the drives you connect. Writing to a filesystem carries inherent risk: software or hardware defects, sudden power loss or drive disconnection, failing or counterfeit hardware, and unusual drive configurations can all result in data loss or filesystem corruption. Always keep a separate, current backup of any important data before writing to a drive. You use the app's read and write features at your own risk.

No warranty

The app is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. While considerable effort has gone into making the filesystem engines reliable, we do not warrant that the app will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that it will not result in data loss or drive corruption.

Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the developer will not be liable for any loss of data, drive corruption, or any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or relating to your use of, or inability to use, the app - even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Where liability cannot be excluded, it is limited to the amount you paid in the twelve months before the event giving rise to the claim.

Your statutory rights

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any rights you have under the mandatory consumer-protection laws of your country that cannot lawfully be waived. Where such laws apply, the disclaimers and limitations above apply only to the extent those laws permit.

Purchases and refunds

The app is free to download. Write support for NTFS and Linux (ext2, ext3 and ext4) drives is sold as a one-time, non-consumable in-app purchase through Google Play; there is no subscription and no recurring charge. Reading NTFS and Linux drives, and full read and write support for exFAT and FAT32 drives, are free.

Payments, billing and refunds are handled by Google under Google Play's terms; the developer does not process payments directly. Refund requests are subject to Google Play's refund policy. The purchase is tied to your Google account and can be restored on any device signed in to it.

Customers who previously purchased the separate NTFS Reader Pro application are entitled to write support in this app at no additional charge.

Acceptable use

Use the app only for lawful purposes, and only with drives and data you are authorised to access. Do not copy, redistribute or reverse engineer the app except where that restriction is prohibited by applicable law.

Changes to these terms

These terms may be updated from time to time. The current version is posted on this page with its effective date; continued use after a change means you accept the updated terms.

Contact

Questions about these terms can be sent to ntfsreadersupport@gmail.com.