At ICEBlock, user privacy and security are paramount. Our application is designed to provide as much anonymity as possible without storing any user data or creating accounts. While we understand the desire for an Android version of ICEBlock, achieving this level of anonymity on Android is not feasible due to the inherent requirements of push notification services.

A Bit More In Depth

To send push notifications on Android, it is necessary to use a mechanism that requires storing device IDs. This means that we would need to maintain a privately hosted database to store these identifiers. Storing such data, even if it’s anonymized, introduces significant privacy risks:

• Device ID Storage

  In order to deliver push notifications, we would have to store device IDs in a database. These IDs can be linked back to specific devices, potentially compromising user anonymity.

• User Accounts Creation

  To manage these device IDs effectively and allow users to unsubscribe or manage their notifications, we would need to create user accounts. This includes storing usernames and passwords, which further violates our commitment to privacy.

• Data Subpoena Risk

  Any stored data, including device IDs and user account information, could be discoverable by legal subpoenas. This poses a significant risk to users' privacy and security, as their data could potentially be accessed without consent or knowledge.

Our Focus on iOS

In contrast, iOS offers us the flexibility to deliver push notifications while adhering strictly to our design philosophy. Apple’s ecosystem allows for push notifications to be sent without requiring us to store any user-identifiable information. This ensures that ICEBlock remains completely anonymous and secure.

A Word of Caution

We have noticed unauthorized distribution channels offering what appears to be an Android version of ICEBlock. Please be advised that these are not sanctioned by us. We only recommend downloading ICEBlock exclusively from the Apple AppStore, as that is only place it is available.

What Can I Do?

While we understand that investing in another device may not be feasible for everyone, ICEBlock was designed to be extremely lightweight. The app is only 2.3 MB and runs incredibly well on devices all the way back to the iPhone XR. These devices can often be found secondhand for around $50 or less.

We are not suggesting that purchasing a new device is easy or affordable for everyone, but if you own an Android device and still want to use ICEBlock for maximum privacy, we recommend considering an older iPhone model like the XR. This way, you can enjoy the full benefits of ICEBlock without the expense of a new Apple device.

Again, we respect your situation and are not making light of the financial constraints. It's also important to understand that the next generation of iOS will drop support for the iPhone XR. However, ICEBlock will continue to be built for iOS 18.2+ for as long as Apple allows us to do so, while still being able to issue app updates in accordance with AppStore guidelines.

Conclusion

While we value feedback and understand the demand for Android support, our commitment to user privacy is non-negotiable. We have made a conscious decision to focus on iOS in order to deliver the best possible security experience for our users. We appreciate your understanding and support.