How to do it
- Check whether the app needs an account. An account exists so a service can attach your recordings and locations to an identity. That is only necessary if they are leaving the phone.
- Ask where recognition happens. If identification runs on a server, your audio is transmitted from wherever you happen to be standing. On-device apps, such as BirdHere, Merlin and BirdNET Live, analyse it on the phone.
- Keep location optional. BirdHere can use approximate location for season and region context. It is optional, and it is rounded before local use.
- Keep the journal yours. Entries stay on the device and in your own device backups. You can export them as an archive or delete them whenever you want.
Why this matters for a birding app specifically
- A birding log is a detailed record of where a person goes, when, and how often, often including their home garden.
- Field audio also captures whatever else was audible, including conversation.
- BirdHere performs recognition on the device, has no account and no advertising, and does not upload audio for recognition.
- Species photographs load when you tap to request one, or automatically if you enable that option. You can turn automatic loading off in Settings.
- If you save a field note with location enabled, the rounded position is stored with that note on your iPhone so it can appear on your private map.
Honest limits
BirdHere reports what it cannot tell you rather than filling the gap with a confident guess.
- Downloading a regional pack or an opt-in species photograph requires a connection at that moment.
- App Store purchases and restoring World Pass go through Apple’s services.
- BirdHere can be wrong and is not a substitute for expert confirmation.
Questions
Does BirdHere require an account?
No. There is no sign-in.
Is my location tracked?
No. Approximate location is optional and is rounded to roughly 10 km before local use. A rounded position is saved only with field notes you keep, on your device.
Are my recordings uploaded?
Audio is not uploaded for recognition. Recognition runs on the device.
Can I delete my journal?
Yes. Journal entries stay on the device and can be exported or deleted at any time.