Privacy Policy
Crema ("the app") is a personal espresso brewing log for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, developed by Zhifan Liang. This policy explains what the app does and does not do with your data. In short: there is no account, no server, no analytics, and no advertising. Your log stays on your devices and in your own iCloud.
What the app stores
Crema stores what you enter:
- Beans: name, roaster, roast level, roast and opened dates, origin, process, varietal, producer, bag weight, price, freezer times, notes, an optional bag photo, and an optional starting recipe.
- Shots: date and time, grinder and machine names, grind setting, dose, yield, time, temperature, pressure, recipe details (pre-infusion, basket, puck prep, drink type, water), rating, taste, flavor tags, tasting notes, dial-in suggestion, and an optional photo.
- Equipment: your grinders and machines, their settings, maintenance dates and reminders, and how much coffee has gone through each grinder.
- Preferences: appearance, app icon, and your sync, notification, and timer settings.
This data is kept in a database inside the app on your device, and is included in your device's standard backup if you back up to iCloud or to a computer. There is no sign-in, and the app does not ask for your name, email address, or location.
Photos are only added when you choose to take or pick one. Crema asks for camera or photo library access at that moment and uses it only for the photo you select.
iCloud sync
iCloud sync is on by default, so your beans, shots (including photos), and equipment appear on every device signed in to your Apple Account. This data:
- Is stored in your own private iCloud database (Apple's CloudKit private database, container
iCloud.com.zliang.crema) and counts toward your iCloud storage. - Cannot be accessed by the developer. We have no server and no way to read your iCloud data.
- Is protected by Apple's iCloud security, including end-to-end encryption if you turn on Advanced Data Protection, and is governed by Apple's iCloud privacy policy.
Crema also keeps one small flag in your iCloud key-value storage: whether it has already added its sample content to your account, so reinstalling doesn't add it twice.
You can turn sync off in Settings → Sync in Crema (it takes effect the next time you open the app). Data already in iCloud stays there until you delete it: use Settings → Erase all data in Crema while sync is on, or remove Crema's data from your iCloud storage in the iOS Settings app.
Widgets, Apple Watch, Siri, and notifications
- Widgets and Live Activities. Crema saves a small summary (the bean you're brewing, its days off roast, your last shot, and maintenance that's due) in a shared folder on your device so widgets and the Lock Screen timer can show it. It never leaves the device.
- Apple Watch. Your iPhone sends the same summary and your open beans to your paired Apple Watch, and the watch sends shots you log on it back to your iPhone. This goes directly between your own devices through Apple's Watch connectivity. The watch keeps no database of its own.
- Siri and Shortcuts. If you use Crema's Siri phrases, Apple processes your voice request under Apple's Siri privacy policy. Crema receives only the resulting request (such as the numbers of a shot) and handles it on your device.
- Spotlight. On iOS 18 and later, Crema adds your bean names to your device's Spotlight index so you can search for them. The index stays on your device.
- Apple Intelligence. On supported devices, Crema may use Apple's on-device language model to word dial-in advice or to read a spoken shot description. This runs entirely on your device; nothing is sent to the developer or to a server.
- Notifications. If you turn on roast aging reminders, Crema schedules local notifications on your device from the roast date you entered. No data leaves your device.
Exports, sharing, and imports
- Backups and exports. "Export full backup" (JSON, photos included) and "Export for spreadsheets" (CSV) write a file and open iOS's share sheet. Where that file goes (Files, AirDrop, email, and so on) is entirely your choice. We never see it.
- Sharing a recipe. Sharing a shot as a link or QR code includes the recipe: bean name, roaster, roast level, origin, process, dose, yield, time, and, if set, grind, grinder name, temperature, pre-infusion, and basket. It goes only where you send it.
- Imports. Files you import (Crema backups, CSV files, or exports from other coffee apps) are read on your device.
Tip jar
Tips are optional in-app purchases that unlock nothing. Apple processes the payment through the App Store; Crema never receives your payment details or who you are. Apple gives developers only aggregated sales reports.
What the app sends over the network
Nothing of its own. Apart from Apple services described above (iCloud sync, Siri, and App Store purchases), Crema makes no network requests. There is no analytics SDK, no crash reporter, no advertising, no third-party tracking, and no telemetry of any kind. We do not operate any server.
If you have chosen to share analytics with app developers in your device's settings (Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements), Apple may share anonymous crash reports and usage statistics with us. You control this in iOS, not in Crema.
Your data never reaches the developer. It stays on your devices and in your private iCloud, unless you choose to share or export it.
Your choices
- Delete any bean, shot, or piece of equipment in the app, or everything with Settings → Erase all data.
- Turn iCloud sync and reminders on or off in Settings.
- Deleting the app removes its data from that device. Data in iCloud stays until you delete it as described above.
Children
Crema is suitable for all ages but is not directed at children under 13, and it does not knowingly collect information from anyone.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted at this URL with a new effective date.
Contact
Questions? Reach us at agooberz@gmail.com.