Missing Link app icon

Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 3, 2026

Missing Link is a native Mac app for finding links that were sent or received in Messages. This Privacy Policy explains how Missing Link handles information on your Mac and when information may leave your device.

For purposes of this policy, “Missing Link,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Bad Ombré, the developer of Missing Link.

1. Summary

Missing Link is designed to work locally.

Missing Link does not have an account system and does not upload your Messages database to us. The app reads your local Messages database on your Mac, extracts links, and creates a local searchable index.

Missing Link does not modify Messages, delete messages, send messages, mark messages as read, or upload your Messages database.

Some optional features, such as link metadata previews, require network access. When those features are used, your Mac may contact linked websites, supported preview endpoints, or Apple services to retrieve preview information such as page titles, descriptions, icons, or images.

2. Information Missing Link Reads and Stores Locally

With your permission, Missing Link may read the local Messages database stored on your Mac, usually in:

~/Library/Messages

The app uses this read-only access to find links in Messages and display them in a searchable library.

Information read locally may include:

  • URLs sent or received in Messages
  • Message dates and related conversation context
  • Sender or recipient handles, such as phone numbers or email addresses
  • Limited message excerpts or surrounding text used to help you identify a link
  • Thread or group conversation information needed to organize results

Missing Link also stores app-owned data locally on your Mac so the app can search quickly and remember your preferences. This may include:

  • A local link index
  • Starred link state
  • Hidden link state
  • Cached link preview metadata
  • Metadata attempt history
  • App settings and layout preferences
  • The saved Messages folder permission
  • Retention status for links that are no longer present in Messages

3. Messages Folder Access

macOS protects Messages data. Missing Link needs your permission before it can read your local Messages database.

When you grant access to your Messages folder, Missing Link saves a macOS security-scoped permission so it can continue to access the folder across app launches. You can remove this permission by using Delete All App Data or by managing app permissions in macOS.

Missing Link uses Messages folder access only to read the local database and index links. It does not write to the Messages database.

4. Contacts Access

Showing contact names is enabled by default, but Missing Link can read Contacts only if macOS Contacts access is granted.

If you allow Contacts access, Missing Link uses your local Contacts database to make results easier to read. For example, the app may show a contact name or thumbnail instead of a phone number or email address.

Contacts are read locally. Missing Link does not edit your contacts and does not upload your Contacts database to us.

If you deny Contacts access, Missing Link still works. It will show available Messages handles, such as phone numbers or email addresses, instead of contact names or photos.

5. Link Metadata and Network Requests

Metadata is preview information about a link, such as a page title, description, icon, or image.

When metadata fetching is enabled, Missing Link may contact linked websites, supported preview endpoints, or Apple services to retrieve metadata. These requests may disclose information to those third parties, such as:

  • The specific URL being previewed
  • Your IP address
  • Basic request information, such as headers needed to load the preview

A website may learn that a link was previewed. Apple or other preview services may process preview requests according to their own privacy practices.

Missing Link does not send your Messages database, full conversation history, or Contacts database to an app server for metadata fetching.

Missing Link is designed to fetch metadata cautiously. Metadata fetching is limited to public HTTPS links and avoids private, local, or internal network addresses. HTTP links may still appear in Missing Link and may still be opened manually, but they are not used for metadata fetching.

You can control metadata behavior in Settings. Options may include:

  • Starred and Contacts Only
  • All Links
  • Off

6. Opening Links

You can open links from Missing Link. Depending on your settings, links may open in Safari or your default browser.

When you open a link, your browser and the website you visit may receive information about your visit. Their privacy practices are not controlled by Missing Link.

7. Deleted Messages and Retention

Missing Link includes a setting for links that are no longer present in Messages.

You can choose how long Missing Link keeps links that appear to have been deleted from Messages. Options may include:

  • Don’t Keep
  • 30 Days
  • 90 Days
  • 1 Year
  • 2 Years
  • Forever

If you choose Don’t Keep, links disappear from Missing Link when they are no longer found in Messages. If you choose a retention period, Missing Link may keep those link records in its local app index for the selected period.

This retention applies only to Missing Link’s local app data. It does not delete, restore, or modify Messages.

8. Analytics, Advertising, and Tracking

Missing Link does not include third-party advertising SDKs, analytics SDKs, or tracking SDKs.

Missing Link does not sell personal information.

Missing Link does not use your Messages data, Contacts data, links, searches, stars, hidden links, or app activity for advertising or tracking.

Apple may process information related to App Store downloads, purchases, crash reports, diagnostics, or platform analytics according to Apple’s own privacy practices and your Apple/macOS settings.

9. Customer Support

If you contact us for support, we may receive the information you choose to provide, such as your email address, name, message, screenshots, logs, or other troubleshooting details.

We use support information only to respond to your request, troubleshoot issues, improve Missing Link, and maintain records reasonably related to support, security, or legal obligations.

Do not send us your Messages database unless we specifically ask for diagnostic information and you are comfortable sharing it. Missing Link is designed so that we do not need your Messages database for normal operation.

10. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information.

We do not share your Messages database, Contacts database, local link index, searches, starred links, hidden links, or exported results with advertisers or data brokers.

Information may be shared only in limited circumstances, such as:

  • When you direct the app to open or preview a link
  • When required to comply with law or legal process
  • When necessary to protect the rights, safety, or security of users, the app, or others
  • With service providers used for ordinary business operations, such as email or support tools, if you contact us directly

11. Security

Missing Link is designed to minimize data collection by processing Messages and Contacts locally on your Mac.

Because Missing Link stores local app data on your device, the security of that data depends in part on the security of your Mac, your macOS account, your device settings, and any backups or syncing tools you use.

You should use a strong Mac password, keep macOS updated, and protect any exported data you create from Missing Link.

12. Children’s Privacy

Missing Link is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

13. International Users

Missing Link is operated from the United States. If you contact us directly, the information you provide may be processed in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.

14. Your Choices

You can control Missing Link’s access and data handling by using macOS permissions and Missing Link settings. Your choices include:

  • Granting or removing Messages folder access
  • Allowing or denying Contacts access
  • Changing metadata fetching settings
  • Choosing Safari or your default browser for opening links
  • Choosing how long to keep links deleted from Messages
  • Showing or hiding hidden links
  • Exporting current results
  • Deleting all local app data from Settings
  • Deleting the app from your Mac

You can also manage app permissions through macOS System Settings.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date and, where appropriate, provide additional notice in the app or on our website.

16. Contact

For privacy questions, contact: badombrellc@gmail.com