Your library
Books, notes, ratings and selected photos are stored on your device. If iCloud is enabled, your library also syncs through your private Apple account. We do not operate a separate server for your collection.
Optional shared shelves and guide updates
If you share a shelf, Apple CloudKit stores a separate read-only copy of its titles, authors, ISBNs, binding, edition, printing, signed status, special-edition labels and catalog cover links. Your chosen display name and shelf name are shared with invited people. Private notes, prices, loan details and personal photos are not included. Received shelves are cached on the recipient’s device for offline viewing. Revoking access prevents future access once the device reconnects; it cannot erase information someone has already copied.
Series guide updates download a signed public file from russellapps.com. The website host receives normal connection information such as your IP address, but no library records or reading history. Automatic guide updates can be disabled. Unfinished scan queues and personal reading orders are saved locally on your device.
Search providers
Book and cover searches send search terms, ISBNs and relevant book details to Google Books, Open Library or Wikidata. Image requests contact the image host. These services receive network information such as your IP address and apply their own privacy policies. Opening a web image search or another external link also shares the information in that link with the destination service.
Photos and recognition
Camera access is optional. You choose which photos or files to import. Copyright-page recognition runs on your device. Personal photos and notes are not sent to catalog providers.
Backups and deletion
Deleted copies remain in Recently deleted for 30 days unless permanently removed sooner. Recovery snapshots and exported backups may retain older copies. Turning off iCloud does not delete its saved copy. Files you export remain wherever you save them. Local recovery copies do not survive uninstalling the app or losing the device.
Feedback and external links
Sending feedback shares the message and diagnostics you choose to include with feedback@russellapps.com. The app does not automatically send feedback. External websites and the App Store follow their own policies.
Advertising and tracking
Bookshelf contains no advertising or third-party analytics SDK and does not track you across apps or websites. Optional sound, haptic and appearance preferences stay on your device.
Contact
For privacy questions, contact support@russellapps.com.