Local-first budgeting
Headway stores the accounts, balances, transactions, budgets, plans, receipts and preferences you choose to add in the app's protected container on your iPhone. Headway does not require a bank connection, Headway account or cloud-sync service, and does not receive readable budgeting records on a Headway server. Apple may include app data in an encrypted device or iCloud backup according to your Apple Account settings.
Screen capture, receipts and voice
Capture from Screen uses Apple's Vision framework on the device. Receipt images remain in Headway's local storage. Log by Voice requests microphone and speech-recognition permission only when you use it. Headway requests on-device recognition when available. Apple may process speech when on-device recognition is unavailable. Headway does not send recordings, transcripts, screenshots or receipts to its servers.
Headway Web Session
If you start a Headway Web Session, the iPhone app creates a read-only snapshot and encrypts it for the browser whose one-time QR code you approved. Headway's relay receives encrypted financial data that it cannot read, together with short-lived technical details needed to connect the devices. The encrypted copy is removed after delivery, disconnection or expiry after ten minutes. The browser keeps the decrypted snapshot in memory only and clears it when the session ends or the page closes.
The QR code contains one-time connection credentials and an encryption key, not your financial information. Each session requires Face ID or iPhone passcode approval.
Optional merchant artwork
When merchant artwork is enabled and Headway recognises a merchant locally, it requests a logo from DuckDuckGo using the merchant's public domain. Headway does not send transaction amounts, balances, dates or notes. DuckDuckGo and its delivery providers may receive technical request information such as an IP address and the requested domain. Read DuckDuckGo's privacy policy.
Purchases and app analytics
Headway 1.0 is free and contains no active paywall, subscription or in-app purchase. Headway 1.0 does not activate Adapty and does not transmit onboarding or product-usage analytics to Adapty. This policy and the App Store privacy information will be updated before a later version enables purchases or external app measurement.
Apple permissions and services
Headway asks for optional permissions only in the feature that needs them. These may include Face ID, microphone, speech recognition, camera, photos, location, calendar, notifications and Screen Time access. Siri, Shortcuts, Spotlight, Live Activities and Dynamic Island use Apple system features you enable. Wallet Automation is a shortcut the user creates. Headway cannot read Wallet history, card numbers, bank notifications or general notification contents.
Website and free tools
The free calculators run in your browser. Figures entered into them are not sent to Headway servers. Explore searches are proxied so a visitor's IP address is not passed directly to OpenStreetMap services.
Website analytics and cookies
Optional website analytics do not load from Google Analytics or DataFast until you choose Accept. If accepted, Headway records aggregate page and tool usage without calculator figures, financial records, names or contact details. Google Signals and advertising personalisation are disabled. The website may also use cookie-free Cloudflare analytics for page counts and performance.
You can change your choice using Cookie settings in the footer. Choosing Reject stops optional analytics and removes analytics cookies created by this site.
Retention, deletion and rights
Local budgeting information remains until you delete records, reset a feature or delete Headway, subject to Apple backups you control. Encrypted Web Session data is short-lived as described above. Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing. Most budgeting information is controlled directly on your device.
Security and children
Headway uses Apple's app sandbox, complete file protection and system permission controls. Headway is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes to this policy
This page will be updated when Headway's features, external processing or service providers change.
Contact
For privacy questions or requests, email support@headwaybudgetapp.com. UK users may also contact the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.