Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 27, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how GoGBA ("we", "our", or "us") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our mobile application ("App").

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

GoGBA is designed with privacy in mind. We do not require you to create an account or provide personal information to use the App.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

The App may collect the following information:

  • Game Files: The App accesses game ROM files (.gba files) that you select through your device's file system. These files remain on your device and are never transmitted to us or any third party.
  • Save Files: Game save files (.sav files) are stored locally on your device. By default, we do not access, collect, or transmit your save data. If you enable the optional Cloud Save feature (requires Premium), save files may be uploaded to Google Drive or iCloud, depending on the provider you choose.
  • App Configuration: Settings such as theme preferences, language selection, and orientation preferences are stored locally on your device.
  • Game Covers: Game cover images may be downloaded from the libretro database and cached locally on your device for faster loading.
  • Remote configuration: The App may contact Google Firebase Remote Config to retrieve configuration values that apply to all users or to broad app versions (for example, feature toggles and per-day usage caps for optional AI Screen Translation). These requests are handled by Google's systems; Firebase may process technical identifiers as described in Google's Firebase privacy materials. This is separate from uploading game screens for translation.

1.3 Crash Reports

If you enable crash reporting (via Firebase Crashlytics), we may collect anonymous crash reports to help improve the App's stability. These reports do not contain personal information or game data.

1.4 RetroAchievements

If you choose to log in to your RetroAchievements account, your username and password are transmitted securely to RetroAchievements' servers for authentication, and GoGBA stores your RetroAchievements username and a secure login token on your device to maintain your session until you sign out in GoGBA settings. Your password is never stored on your device.

Any data transmitted to RetroAchievements is sent to their servers, which are located in Nuremberg, Germany.

Gameplay information, such as game identification, achievement progress, and leaderboard scores, may be sent to RetroAchievements so these features work.

GoGBA does not transmit personal data to its own servers. Any data sent to RetroAchievements is managed by RetroAchievements, who provide mechanisms for data access, correction, and deletion in accordance with GDPR.

1.5 Cloud Save (Optional)

If you enable Cloud Save (a Premium feature), your game save files (.sav) may be synced to Google Drive or iCloud Documents, depending on the backend you select. This involves your Google account (for Drive) or Apple ID (for iCloud). GoGBA does not store your account credentials; authentication is managed by the respective platform (Google Sign-In or iCloud). Save data is transmitted only to the provider you choose and is subject to that provider's privacy policy.

1.6 In-App Purchase

If you purchase the Premium upgrade or the optional AI Screen Translation subscription (iOS/Android only), the transaction is processed by the App Store or Google Play. GoGBA does not collect, store, or process payment information. Purchase verification is performed locally on your device via the platform's in-app purchase API. We do not receive or retain any payment or billing data.

1.7 AI Screen Translation (Optional Subscription)

If you purchase and use the optional AI Screen Translation subscription, the App may capture the current game display as an image (for example, JPEG) and send it, together with your selected target language and instructions used to request a translation, to Google's AI services (Firebase AI Logic / Gemini) to produce translated on-screen text. This requires transmitting image data from your device; your ROM file is not uploaded for this feature.

Translation runs only when you actively start it during gameplay. We do not run AI translation on servers we operate; processing is performed by Google under Google's and Firebase's terms and privacy policies. Screen images may include in-game dialogue, menus, names, or other visible content—consider whether you are comfortable with that material being processed by a third-party AI service before using this feature.

If you subscribe to AI Screen Translation, the feature may be subject to reasonable usage limits (for example, a maximum number of translation requests per UTC day). Those limits can be delivered or updated via Firebase Remote Config without requiring you to install an app update. The App applies the limit in effect after it successfully retrieves configuration; if configuration cannot be retrieved, a built-in default may apply.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected solely for the following purposes:

  • To provide and maintain the App's functionality
  • To improve the App's performance and stability
  • To provide technical support when requested
  • When you use AI Screen Translation, to send the captured screen and related parameters to Google's AI services solely to generate translations you requested

3. Data Storage and Security

All data associated with GoGBA is stored locally on your device:

  • Android: Data is stored in the app's private directory and external storage (for save files).
  • iOS: Data is stored in the app's Documents directory.

We implement appropriate technical measures to protect your data, including atomic write operations for save files to prevent data corruption.

Data you generate for optional AI Screen Translation is processed on Google's systems when you use that feature; it is not stored on servers we operate.

4. Third-Party Services

The App uses the following third-party services:

  • Firebase Crashlytics: For crash reporting (optional). See Firebase Privacy Policy.
  • Firebase Remote Config: To deliver app-wide configuration (including limits that may apply to optional AI Screen Translation). See Firebase Privacy Policy.
  • Firebase AI / Google AI (Gemini): For optional AI Screen Translation (paid subscription). When you use this feature, game screen images and related request data are sent to Google for processing. See Firebase Privacy Policy, Google Privacy Policy, and Google AI Terms as applicable.
  • libretro Database: For game cover images. Cover images are downloaded from public databases and cached locally.
  • RetroAchievements: For achievement tracking and leaderboards (optional). If you choose to log in, your RetroAchievements account information and gameplay data may be transmitted to RetroAchievements' servers. See RetroAchievements Privacy Policy.
  • Google Drive: For optional Cloud Save (Premium feature). If you enable Cloud Save with Google Drive, save files are stored in a folder in your Google Drive. See Google Privacy Policy.
  • iCloud: For optional Cloud Save on iOS (Premium feature). If you enable Cloud Save with iCloud, save files are stored in your iCloud container. See Apple iCloud for privacy details.
  • App Store / Google Play: For in-app purchases (Premium upgrade and optional AI Screen Translation subscription). Payment processing is handled entirely by Apple or Google. See the respective platform's terms and privacy policies for purchase-related data handling.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your information to third parties. Your ROM files are not uploaded to us. Optional features may transmit certain data to third parties as described in this Policy (for example, Cloud Save, RetroAchievements, crash reports, or AI Screen Translation).

Data is only transmitted to the services you explicitly use: RetroAchievements (for achievements); for Cloud Save, to Google Drive or iCloud—whichever provider you choose; and if you purchase and use AI Screen Translation, to Google's AI services (Firebase AI / Gemini) as described in Section 1.7. Cloud Save data is sent only to the selected provider's servers. We do not operate our own servers that receive your game ROMs, personal profile, or payment details. You can use the App without signing in to RetroAchievements, enabling Cloud Save, purchasing Premium or AI Screen Translation, or using AI Screen Translation.

6. Children's Privacy

GoGBA is not specifically directed to children under 13.

The App may be used by people of all ages, but we recommend parental guidance for younger users.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Features that involve signing into RetroAchievements or enabling Cloud Save require an account (RetroAchievements, Google, or Apple), which should be managed by a parent or guardian if used by a child under 13. AI Screen Translation sends screen images to Google's AI services when used and should likewise be supervised if appropriate for the child's age.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your data stored locally on your device
  • Delete the App and all associated data at any time
  • Disable crash reporting in your device settings
  • Sign out of RetroAchievements at any time in GoGBA settings
  • Manage or delete your RetroAchievements account directly through the RetroAchievements website
  • Disable Cloud Save at any time in GoGBA settings to stop syncing save files
  • Manage or delete your Cloud Save data through your Google Account or Apple ID settings
  • Avoid using AI Screen Translation if you do not want game screen images processed by Google
  • Cancel or manage the AI Screen Translation subscription through the App Store or Google Play
  • Contact us with questions about your privacy

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Email: hamberluo@gmail.com