Who these terms are with
Pearlin is made and run by Lakmal Silva, an individual developer based in Sri Lanka (“we”, “us”). By downloading or using the app, you agree to these terms and to Apple’s Licensed Application End User License Agreement, which applies to every App Store app. Where the two differ, these terms add to Apple’s, and Apple’s rules about the App Store itself come first.
How we handle data is described in the privacy policy.
Using the app
We give you a personal, non-transferable licence to use Pearlin on Apple devices you own or control, as the App Store’s usage rules allow. The app, its design, name and code remain ours. Please don’t copy, resell or redistribute it, or try to get around its purchase checks.
Your files stay yours
Everything you put in Pearlin belongs to you. We don’t claim any rights to it, we can’t see it, and we don’t scan it.
Viewing, exporting and deleting your files are free on every plan, forever, including after a Pro subscription ends. The free plan’s limits only stop you adding more.
Patterns and recovery phrases
Each vault opens with its pattern or its recovery phrase. Because they never leave your device in a form we can use, we can’t reset them, recover them or open a vault for you. There’s no back door, by design.
- Write down each vault’s recovery phrase and keep it somewhere safe and private.
- If you lose both the pattern and the recovery phrase, the vault can’t be opened again by anyone.
- Keep iCloud backup on, or export copies of anything you can’t afford to lose. Phones break and get lost.
You’re responsible for keeping your patterns, phrases and devices secure.
The duress vault
Pearlin Pro lets you mark one vault as a duress vault. When it’s opened, by anyone and by either its pattern or its recovery phrase, every other vault on that device is permanently erased, and recovery phrases can’t bring them back.
Use it lawfully. In some places, and in some situations (for example when data is subject to a court order, a legal hold or a border or police search), deleting it can be a criminal offence. If you’re unsure, get legal advice before you rely on it. We’re not responsible for how or where you use it.
Sharing
With Pro you can share a copy of a vault with a share phrase. Anyone who has the phrase can open the share, so send it only to the person it’s meant for. Expiry, open limits and “Exports off” are enforced by the recipient’s app; they can’t stop someone photographing the screen.
You’re responsible for what you share, and you must have the right to share it. Sharing is never to be used for illegal material or to harass anyone.
Pearlin Pro and billing
- Through Apple. Pro is bought in the app through the App Store, as a monthly or yearly subscription, or once as Pro for life. Apple charges your Apple ID and handles billing.
- Renewal. Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each period until you cancel. Cancel at least 24 hours before the period ends to avoid the next charge: in the app under App settings, then Plan, then Manage subscription, or in iOS Settings under your name, then Subscriptions.
- Free trial. Where a free trial is offered, you won’t be charged if you cancel at least 24 hours before it ends. If you don’t, the subscription starts and renews as above.
- Refunds are decided by Apple. Request one at reportaproblem.apple.com.
- Pro for life is a one-time purchase that stays valid for the life of the app.
- Family Sharing is on for every Pro purchase, so members of your Apple family group can use it too.
- Prices are shown in the App Store in your currency before you pay, and can change. A price change never affects a period you’ve already paid for, and Apple will ask your consent where the rules require it.
- If you reinstall or change devices, use Restore purchases in the app.
Acceptable use
Use Pearlin only for lawful purposes. Don’t use it to store or share material that’s illegal where you are, including any material that sexually exploits children, and don’t use it to infringe anyone’s rights. Because we can’t see inside vaults, you alone are responsible for their contents.
Changes to the app and these terms
We keep improving Pearlin, so features can change. We won’t ever take away your ability to view, export and delete files you’ve already added.
If we change these terms, we’ll update this page and the date at the top. If a change materially affects you, we’ll say so in the app or on this site before it takes effect. Continuing to use Pearlin after that means you accept the new terms; if you don’t, you can stop using it and export your files at any time.
Warranty and liability
We work hard to make Pearlin secure and reliable, but no software is perfect. Pearlin is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranties beyond those the law requires.
To the extent the law allows, we’re not liable for loss of data, including data lost because a pattern and recovery phrase were both lost, a device was lost or damaged, or a duress vault was opened. We’re also not liable for indirect or consequential losses. Where the law allows us to limit our liability, it’s limited to the amount you paid for Pearlin in the twelve months before the claim.
Nothing in these terms limits rights you have as a consumer that can’t be limited by contract, or our liability for anything that can’t be excluded by law.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of Sri Lanka, and the courts of Colombo have jurisdiction. If you’re a consumer, you also keep the protection of the mandatory laws of the country where you live, and you can bring a claim in your local courts.
Contact
Questions about these terms: support@pearlin.app.