MapShift Privacy Policy

Effective October 21, 2026

MapShift is published by David Alan Stephens. This policy explains how MapShift and its Safari and Share extensions handle information. Available controls and extension behavior can vary by app version.

Contact: favoronmeforever@icloud.com

Support: https://sites.google.com/view/mapshift/home

Information MapShift processes

MapShift converts supported Google Maps links into Apple Maps links. It processes links or text you enter or paste in the app, items you share with its Share extension, and supported map links identified by its Safari extension on websites where you allow access.

Links can contain place names, searches, addresses, coordinates, route details and other URL parameters. For a supported Google business Directions action, the extension also inspects the selected business card's name, full address, Google identifier, source search-page URL and address-link URL. Those URLs can include search terms and other parameters. MapShift checks that information locally against the selected route before using it as a destination.

Conversion takes place on your device. The conversion code does not use an online service to look up addresses or Google identifiers. MapShift does not request access to your device's current location and does not require an account.

Information stored on your device

The main app keeps up to 10 recent successful conversions so you can use them again. Each record contains the original and converted links, a description and confidence assessment, a local record identifier and the time of conversion. A conversion that used a selected business card also retains its business name, full address, Google identifier, source search-page URL and address-link URL for validation when reopened. These links and details can contain information about places you select.

MapShift saves settings on your device. The automatic-opening and confirmation controls use a preference shared locally with the Safari extension. Recent conversion history is kept separately in the main app's local storage.

The Share extension processes the items you share for the current interaction and does not maintain its own conversion history. In version 1.1 it provides review and copy controls; earlier versions may request a handoff to the main app. A link that reaches the main app can become a recent conversion there.

The Safari extension does not maintain a database of all pages you visit. Supported Safari conversions handed to the main app can appear in recent history, including automatic openings. A conversion can be saved even if Apple Maps cannot subsequently be opened.

Safari website access and temporary information

Safari website permission lets the extension inspect relevant link destinations and use MapShift's native extension on your device to convert supported map URLs. Website access includes sites beyond Google because a Google Maps link can appear on another website.

The extension checks ordinary links you tap on allowed websites. When you tap a supported Directions control in Google search, it can inspect the Google Maps URL reached by that same-tab action for up to 15 seconds. For supported business cards, it can also inspect the selected card information described above. A nearby address, narrative street range or map camera center is not used as an inferred destination. New-tab actions and addresses pasted into Safari keep their normal browser behavior. This processing does not send page contents or browsing history to a MapShift server.

To follow that brief Directions action, the extension stores a timestamp in the browser's session storage for that Google website and tab. The marker contains no destination, URL, page contents or account information and is unusable after 15 seconds. It is removed when the extension handles or cancels the action or next detects expiration. If the tab leaves the website before cleanup, an expired marker may remain unused until cleared or the tab is closed.

Selected business details are kept separately in the Safari extension's temporary background memory, associated with the originating tab. They can be used for up to 15 seconds, and are removed when used or canceled, when a subsequent extension message detects expiration, or when the background process ends. These details are not added to the page's session storage.

After local validation, the native extension stores a one-use handoff record in local storage shared with the main app. It contains the original route URL, selected business details and a creation time; a random token identifies the record. The token cannot be used after 60 seconds. The app removes a record when it reads it, and expired or invalid records are cleaned up during later handoff writes, app startup or handoff reads. Expiry prevents use; it does not guarantee that an unused record is physically removed at exactly 60 seconds. Clear History also removes pending handoff records.

You can change website permissions or disable the extension in Safari settings. Safari and the websites you visit may make network requests independently of MapShift's local conversion.

Clipboard use and opening links

MapShift processes clipboard text when you choose to paste it. When you choose a Copy action, the app or extension writes the selected link or input text to the system clipboard. The operating system and other apps may make clipboard content available according to their settings and permissions.

Opening a converted link passes its location or route information to Apple Maps or the selected system handler. Opening the original link passes information to the website or app that handles it. Those services process information under their own policies and settings. MapShift's Clear History action does not erase their records or clipboard content.

If you choose Try a Google search, MapShift opens a fixed public sample search in your default browser. The example destination may differ by app version. The sample does not include your current location or clipboard text. Google and your browser process the search and ordinary website requests under their own policies and settings.

Analytics, advertising and support

MapShift and its extensions do not include advertising or analytics services, tracking tools, or a developer-operated conversion server. They do not send link contents, selected business details or local conversion history to the developer, and do not use them for advertising or fingerprinting.

If you choose to email support, the recipient receives your email address and the information you include in the message. Include only information you are comfortable sharing; private map links or addresses are not required unless they are relevant to your question.

Retention and your choices

Recent conversions, including any saved business-card details, remain in the main app until displaced by newer entries or removed. Use Clear History on Home to remove saved recent conversions and pending app-handoff records. Version 1.1 also clears records carried over from the older history format so they do not return on relaunch.

Clear History does not clear browser website storage or extension background memory, clipboard contents, or records maintained by Apple Maps, Google or other services. Temporary extension information follows the lifetimes and cleanup described above. A new conversion can create a new history entry.

Settings remain until you change them or remove the app's stored data. MapShift does not provide its own cloud synchronization service. Device backups and other system services are controlled by your operating system and device settings and can retain their own copies.

You choose which information to enter, share, copy or open. You can choose whether exact supported conversions open automatically, clear recent history, change settings, and change or disable Safari extension access. There is no MapShift account to delete.

Policy updates

Updates to this policy will appear at the address below with a revised effective date. For questions about the policy or information handled by MapShift, contact favoronmeforever@icloud.com.

https://sites.google.com/view/mapshift/privacy-policy