Last updated: 4 May 2026
Rosetta is a translation app for iOS. This page explains exactly what data the app touches, where it goes, and what you can do about it. The short version: almost nothing leaves your device unless you opt in.
With your permission (granted via the standard iOS prompt), Rosetta reads your screenshots so it can detect and translate the text in them. It does not read any other photos. Permission can be revoked at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos → Rosetta.
With your permission, Rosetta can use the camera to translate signs, menus, and printed text in real time. Frames are processed on-device only — nothing is uploaded. Permission can be revoked at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → Rosetta.
Rosetta keeps a short translation history (up to the last 30 sessions), your saved glossary entries, and your preference settings. All of this lives on your device. None of it is sent to a Rosetta-operated server.
By default, Rosetta uses Apple's on-device translation framework. The text you translate stays on your phone and is never sent to a network service for translation.
If you turn on Cloud mode in Settings and enter your own AI provider API key, the source text is sent over HTTPS to that provider's API for translation, using your key. Rosetta does not see, store, or proxy your API key. It is held in iOS's standard UserDefaults on your device, like any other app preference.
If you don't enable this option, no translation data ever leaves your device.
If a crash occurs and you have not disabled diagnostics, Rosetta sends a crash report to our error-tracking service (Sentry). The report contains:
It does not contain the contents of any translation, screenshot, or glossary entry.
If you submit a bug report manually via Settings → Help & feedback → Report a bug, the report includes whatever you typed plus the same device-context fields. You decide what to include.
Rosetta records anonymous usage events (e.g., "user opened gallery mode," "user swapped languages") to understand which features matter. These events are not tied to any account or device identifier.
You can opt out at any time by disabling crash reporting in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements.
Rosetta is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
If we materially change this policy, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top and surface a notice in the app's Settings → Privacy section.
Questions or requests about your data: open Rosetta, go to Settings → Help & feedback → Send feedback. We read every message.
The app is owned and operated by Phillip An.