Effective August 31, 2026

Privacy Policy

This policy explains how RouterChat handles information when you use the app and this website.

Who operates RouterChat

RouterChat is developed and operated by Aleksei Kolchanov, an independent developer based in the United States of America. For any privacy question or request, contact support@router-chat.com. This is the contact point for data-related requests described in "Your rights" below.

Summary

RouterChat is an unofficial client for OpenRouter, the AI model routing service at openrouter.ai. The app keeps credentials on your device. Persistent conversations and supported settings sync through your Apple iCloud account by default; you can disable iCloud sync to keep them on-device only. Temporary chats are not added to persistent chat history or synced. RouterChat sends information to OpenRouter only when you use features that require a model response, transcription, speech generation, account lookup, or model information.

Information you provide in the app

• Chat messages, prompts, and conversation titles.
• Files, photos, PDFs, audio, or other attachments you choose to add.
• Voice recordings when you use speech-to-text features.
• OpenRouter login results or API keys used to connect the app to OpenRouter.
• Settings such as selected models, favorites, voice options, and request preferences.

How app information is used

RouterChat uses this information to provide chat, model selection, attachment handling, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, conversation history, and app settings. Messages and selected attachments are sent to OpenRouter when you submit a request. Speech audio may be sent to OpenRouter or processed by Apple speech services depending on your selected speech settings. Responses to persistent chats are saved in your conversation history. Temporary chats follow the separate retention rules below.

Analytics and diagnostics

The RouterChat app does not include third-party analytics, crash-reporting, advertising, or cross-app tracking SDKs. If you choose to share diagnostics and usage data with developers through Apple's system settings, Apple may provide aggregated crash and performance reports under Apple's terms; this is controlled by you in iOS/macOS settings and contains no conversation content.

Storage and retention

Credentials. OpenRouter credentials are stored in the device Keychain.

Persistent chats. By default, persistent conversation history and supported settings sync through Apple's iCloud and CloudKit services for your Apple ID so they are available across your devices. If you disable iCloud sync for RouterChat, new app data is kept only locally on that device. Persistent conversations remain until you delete them or use RouterChat's data-erasure controls. Removing RouterChat from one device removes local app data from that device but does not necessarily remove copies already stored in iCloud or on another device.

Temporary chats. Temporary chats are not added to RouterChat's persistent history, stored in its normal conversation or media databases, synced through CloudKit, included in conversation export, or sent to another RouterChat device. The visible transcript, draft, and inline media normally remain in the running app's memory. A message-bearing Temporary chat may appear in Recent in its live owning scene while it is visible or within its selected 15-, 30-, or 45-minute grace period. A visible Temporary chat does not expire merely because no new message is sent. Explicit discard, applicable account-erasure actions, or expiry removes the chat. Process termination removes its process-memory content, subject to the limited active-request recovery described next.

After you submit a supported request in a Temporary chat, RouterChat may temporarily keep the minimum request, attachment, task-state, and result data needed to continue background work or deliver the result. This data uses dedicated device-local execution storage that is separate from chat history, CloudKit, normal media storage, and device backups. Execution capsules and stored results are encrypted with a per-execution key kept in the non-synchronizing, device-only Keychain. When Apple's background-transfer system requires an upload file, the prepared request body is temporarily protected by Apple Data Protection rather than RouterChat's application-level encryption.

RouterChat removes Temporary execution data at the earliest safe boundary after result delivery, explicit discard, or expiry. If the operating system does not give RouterChat execution time at the expiry deadline, expired data may physically remain until the next background callback or app launch. RouterChat checks the deadline before restoration and does not present expired content.

Voice recordings. Voice recordings used for speech-to-text are processed to produce a transcription and are not retained by the app after processing.

External services. Temporary-chat status changes RouterChat's local retention only. Information already submitted to OpenRouter, model providers, enabled tools, or other external services is processed and may be retained under the applicable account settings, request settings, and third-party policies.

Security

Credentials are stored in the device Keychain. Persistent conversation data syncs through your iCloud account by default and stays only on your device if you disable iCloud sync. Temporary chat content and execution data follow the separate memory, encryption, Data Protection, and deletion boundaries described above. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and RouterChat cannot guarantee absolute security.

Third-party services

RouterChat uses the OpenRouter API to route model requests and related OpenRouter API features. Depending on the model, feature, and request settings you choose, OpenRouter may route your request to model providers, and those providers may retain or use your prompts, attachments, and responses according to OpenRouter's settings and each provider's policy. RouterChat's request settings can restrict provider data collection or require Zero Data Retention where the selected API and route support those controls. Provider privacy preferences are configured for each app mode and apply the same way to persistent and Temporary chats; Temporary status does not create a separate provider-side policy. These controls do not delete information already transmitted to an enabled tool, external URL, or other service. Review OpenRouter's privacy policy and provider-logging and Zero Data Retention documentation for current details and account controls.

Apple services may be used for iCloud sync, Keychain storage, background transfers, system speech, or Apple speech recognition. These services are handled under Apple's privacy policy.

These third parties handle information under their own terms and privacy policies.

International data transfers

OpenRouter, its model providers, and Apple may process your information on servers located outside your country of residence, including the United States. By using features that send data to these services, you understand that your information may be transferred to and processed in those locations under the providers' respective safeguards.

Website

This website is a static site. It does not use JavaScript analytics, tracking pixels, advertising SDKs, or contact forms. Your browser and hosting providers may process standard technical information such as IP address, user agent, request time, and requested URL to deliver and secure the site.

Advertising and sale of data

RouterChat does not sell your personal information and does not include advertising SDKs or cross-app tracking code.

Payments

RouterChat does not process or store payment information. Any purchases or subscriptions offered through the App Store are handled by Apple. Usage of OpenRouter, including any credits or billing, is managed directly between you and OpenRouter.

Your rights and choices

You can control your information directly in the app and through the connected services:

• You can avoid sending a message or attachment by not submitting it.
• You can delete persistent conversations or use RouterChat's data-erasure controls.
• You can explicitly discard a Temporary chat without waiting for its grace period.
• You can disable iCloud sync through RouterChat or system settings where supported.
• You can delete RouterChat from a device to remove app data stored on that device.
• You can manage or delete OpenRouter account data through OpenRouter.

Depending on where you live (for example, under the EU/UK GDPR or the California CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your personal information, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. Because RouterChat stores much of its conversation data on your device or in your iCloud account, you can exercise most of these rights directly through the app, your device, and the connected service. For any request that requires the developer's involvement, contact support@router-chat.com.

Children

RouterChat is not directed to children. Do not use RouterChat to send personal information about children. The app is intended for users who meet the minimum age of digital consent in their country (for example, 13 in the United States, and 13–16 in the European Union depending on the member state). This is consistent with the app's App Store age rating.

Changes

This policy may be updated when RouterChat changes. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when material changes are made.

Contact

For privacy questions or requests, email support@router-chat.com.