App Privacy Policy Template: What to Include (Free)

Almost every app maker hits the same wall right before launch: a required "Privacy Policy URL" field with nothing to put in it. It feels like a legal formality bolted on at the worst possible moment — but it's mandatory, both stores enforce it, and a vague or inaccurate policy can get your submission rejected or your app pulled later.

The good news is that a solid app privacy policy follows a predictable structure. Below is a free app privacy policy template you can adapt, plus a plain-English breakdown of every section and why it's there. A quick direct answer first: your policy must clearly state what data you collect, how you use it, who you share it with, how you protect it, and how users can exercise their rights — written to match what your app actually does.

What is an app privacy policy (and why it's required)?

A privacy policy is a public document that tells users what personal data your app collects and what you do with it. It's not optional theater — it's required by:

Apple — the App Store requires a privacy policy URL for every app, plus App Privacy "nutrition label" answers that must match the policy.
Google Play — requires a privacy policy and a Data Safety section that must be consistent with it.
Privacy laws — GDPR (EU), CCPA/CPRA (California), and similar laws worldwide legally require a policy if you handle personal data from those users.

If you're still unsure whether your specific app needs one, read do I need a privacy policy for my app first — the short answer for almost everyone is yes.

What to include in an app privacy policy

Here are the sections every app privacy policy should cover, and what goes in each:

Section	What it covers
Introduction	Who you are, what the app is, and that this policy governs it
Data you collect	Personal data (name, email), usage data, device identifiers, location, etc.
How you collect it	Directly from users, automatically, or via third parties
Why you use it	The purpose for each type — accounts, analytics, support, personalization
Legal basis (GDPR)	Consent, contract, legitimate interest, etc.
Sharing & third parties	Analytics, ads, payment processors, hosting, crash reporting
Data retention	How long you keep data and when you delete it
Security	How you protect data (encryption, access controls)
User rights	Access, correction, deletion, opt-out, portability
Children's privacy	Whether the app is for children and how you comply (COPPA)
International transfers	If data moves across borders
Changes to this policy	How you'll notify users of updates
Contact	An email or address for privacy questions

The single most important rule: your policy must be accurate. Apple and Google both cross-check the document against your declared data practices. A boilerplate policy claiming you collect nothing while your analytics SDK quietly gathers device data is worse than no policy — it's a mismatch that gets flagged. This is exactly why your policy and your Google Play Data Safety section should come from the same source of truth.

A free app privacy policy template

Copy the structure below and replace every bracketed placeholder with your app's real practices. Delete any section that genuinely doesn't apply, and don't leave a placeholder unfilled.

Privacy Policy for [App Name] Last updated: [Date]

1. Introduction. [App Name] ("we," "us") operates the [App Name] mobile application. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use the app.

2. Information we collect. We collect: [e.g., account information you provide such as name and email; usage data such as features used and session length; device information such as device type and OS version; location data, if you enable it]. We do not collect: [list what you don't collect].

3. How we use your information. We use your data to: [operate and maintain the app; create and manage your account; provide customer support; improve the app through analytics; send service-related communications].

4. Legal basis for processing (EU/UK users). We process your data on the basis of [consent / performance of a contract / our legitimate interests].

5. Sharing and third parties. We share data with: [analytics provider], [crash reporting], [payment processor], [hosting provider]. We do not sell your personal data.

6. Data retention. We keep your data for [time period / as long as your account is active], after which we [delete or anonymize] it.

7. Security. We protect your data using [encryption in transit, access controls, reputable hosting], though no method is 100% secure.

8. Your rights. You may [access, correct, delete, or export] your data, and [opt out of analytics/marketing]. To exercise these rights, contact us at [email].

9. Children's privacy. [Our app is not intended for children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their data / Our app is designed for children and complies with COPPA by…].

10. International data transfers. Your data may be processed in [countries], with safeguards in place.

11. Changes to this policy. We may update this policy and will post the new version here with a revised "Last updated" date.

12. Contact us. For privacy questions, contact [email / address].

This template is a starting point, not legal advice. If your app handles sensitive data (health, finance, children's data), consider having a professional review it.

How to fill it in correctly

The template is only as good as your honesty in filling it out. Work through it like this:

Inventory your data. List every piece of information your app touches — including data your third-party tools collect. Analytics, ad networks, crash reporters, and payment processors all count, even if you never see the raw data.
Map each item to a purpose. For every data type, write down why you have it. If you can't name a reason, stop collecting it.
List every third party with access, and link their policies where relevant.
Match it to your store declarations. Your finished policy must line up with Apple's App Privacy answers and Google's Data Safety form. Fill all three from the same inventory.
Host it at a stable URL. Both stores need a live, public link. It has to stay reachable — a dead privacy URL is a common rejection cause.

Template vs. generator

A template like the one above is free and flexible, but you're doing the customization by hand and it's easy to leave a placeholder in or miss a section. A generator asks about your app and produces a tailored, hosted policy for you — faster and less error-prone, especially if you're not confident about the legal sections.

	Free template	Privacy policy generator
Cost	Free	Free / one-time unlock
Customization	Manual (you fill every field)	Guided questions
Hosted URL	You host it yourself	Provided for you
Matches store declarations	If you're careful	Built to line up
Risk of leftover boilerplate	Higher	Lower

If you'd rather not hand-edit legal text, the Adalo Studio app privacy policy generator walks you through your app's actual data practices and gives you a hosted URL to paste straight into App Store Connect and Play Console — the same source you can use to answer Apple's App Privacy and Google's Data Safety questions consistently. We compare that route to the DIY approach in free app privacy policy generator, and you can see what's free versus a one-time unlock on the pricing page.

Whichever route you take, the goal is identical: a live, accurate policy at a stable URL that matches what your app really does. Get that right and this launch step stops being a blocker for good — and you'll want a matching terms of service alongside it.

Frequently asked questions

What should an app privacy policy include?

An app privacy policy should include what data you collect, how and why you use it, who you share it with, how long you keep it, how you secure it, users' rights, contact details, and how you handle children's data. Both Apple and Google require a policy that accurately matches what your app actually does.

Can I use a free app privacy policy template?

Yes. A template is a solid starting point, but you must customize it to match your app's real data practices — a generic policy that doesn't match your app can fail review or mislead users. Fill in every placeholder honestly rather than leaving boilerplate that doesn't apply to you.

Do I need a privacy policy if my app doesn't collect data?

Usually yes. Apple requires a privacy policy URL for every app on the App Store regardless of data collection, and most third-party tools (analytics, ads, crash reporting) collect data on your behalf even if you don't directly. It's safest to publish a policy that clearly states what is and isn't collected.

Tools mentioned in this guide: App Store Screenshot Generator, App Privacy Policy Generator.