Privacy Policy

Handheld is a free, open-source browser-based retro game emulation platform. We believe in transparency and respect for your privacy. This policy explains what data we collect, why, and how we handle it.

When you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile picture from your Google account. This is used solely to identify your account and display your profile.

If you enable cloud sync, your save states and emulator settings are stored on our servers so you can access them across devices.

We do not collect gameplay data, ROM files, or any information about which games you play.

Your Google profile information is used to authenticate your account and display your name and avatar in the app.

Cloud-synced save states and settings are stored only to provide the sync feature you opted into. We do not analyze, share, or monetize this data in any way.

All game data (ROMs, save states, settings) is stored locally in your browser by default using IndexedDB and the Origin Private File System. This data never leaves your device unless you explicitly enable cloud sync.

Cloud-synced data is stored in our database and is associated with your user account. You can delete your cloud data at any time from the Dashboard.

We use Google OAuth for authentication. When you sign in, Google's own privacy policy applies to the authentication process. We only receive the basic profile information described above.

Game cover art thumbnails are fetched from the Libretro thumbnail repository, a public open-source resource. No personal data is sent in these requests.

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with any third parties. Your data is yours. We will only disclose information if required by law.

You can delete your account and all associated cloud data at any time from the Dashboard. You can disable cloud sync to keep all data local to your browser. You can clear your local browser data at any time through your browser settings.

We use a minimal session cookie to keep you signed in. This cookie is essential for authentication and cannot be disabled while signed in. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party advertising cookies.

We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date. Continued use of Handheld after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

If you have questions about this privacy policy or how your data is handled, you can reach us through the project's GitHub repository.