Last updated: August 14, 2026
The Shelf is a personal reading-progress tracker. It is built to keep your data yours: the developer collects nothing.
Your library, including books, subjects, reading progress, notes, sessions, and reading history, is stored on your device. If you enable iCloud sync, library records are also stored in your personal, private iCloud database, managed by Apple and available only through your Apple Account. Yearly Goals use Apple's iCloud key-value storage so they can follow you across devices. Most appearance and app preferences remain on each device. The developer has no access to your iCloud data and operates no servers.
The core library and tracking features work offline. Two features can use the network:
The app can use the camera to scan book barcodes and printed ISBNs, take a cover photo, import a table of contents, or capture a quote. Camera images are processed on the device and are never uploaded by The Shelf. A cover photo you choose to keep is stored as part of your local library and, if iCloud sync is enabled, may sync with that library through your private iCloud database.
The optional “Suggest metadata” feature uses Apple's on-device foundation model. Prompts and results never leave your device.
Nothing. No analytics, no advertising identifiers, no tracking, no accounts, no crash-report services beyond what you may share with Apple under your own iOS settings.
Settings > Library data > Reset deletes the library, progress, reading history, sessions, notes, and catalog edits from the app. It intentionally keeps device preferences and Yearly Goals. When iCloud sync is enabled, library deletions are sent to your private iCloud database. You can manage or delete remaining iCloud data through Apple's iCloud settings. Deleting the app removes its local data. There is nothing to request from the developer because the developer holds nothing.
Questions? Email theshelf.support@gmail.com.