Spime is built around Space and Time. Unlike a traditional social app, many of its core features depend on knowing where you are so the app can determine which Spimes are around you and what you can do within them.
That's why Spime asks you to review and accept several permissions before using the app.
All options on the Location & Privacy screen must be accepted for Spime to operate as intended.
Additional permissions, including Camera and Microphone access, are requested by your device when you first use features that require them.
Here's what each one does—and why it's needed.
Location (While Using App)
Location is fundamental to how Spime works.
Spime uses your current location to find Spimes around you, determine when you're within a Spime's area, and enable location-dependent participation.
Without location permission, Spime can't reliably determine your here and now—and many of its core functions simply cannot operate.
When your device asks for location permission, please allow Spime to access your location while you're using the app.
Spime is built around location. This permission is required for the app to work.
Background Location Tracking
Background location is used for Dynamic Spimes.
A standard Spime stays in one place. A Dynamic Spime moves with its creator, making it useful for road trips, hikes, tours and other experiences that move from place to place.
For that to work, Spime needs to continue detecting the creator's location while the Dynamic Spime is active—even when the app isn't open on the screen.
Enable Background Location Tracking on the Location & Privacy screen. If you later create a Dynamic Spime, your device may also ask you to grant Spime “Allow all the time” location access.
This device-level permission is necessary for a Dynamic Spime to continue moving correctly in the background.
If background location permission is declined, Dynamic Spimes may not work correctly.
Why ask for this before I create a Dynamic Spime?
Accepting the Background Location Tracking option tells Spime that you're willing to grant the required background permission if and when you use Dynamic Spimes.
It doesn't mean Spime needs to continuously track your location simply because the option is enabled.
Background location is required when you create and operate a Dynamic Spime.
Camera & Microphone
Camera and microphone access are required when you capture photos and videos with Spime.
Spime is designed around content captured there and then, rather than photos and videos uploaded from your device. When you first use the Spime camera, your device will ask you to allow access to both the Camera and Microphone.
Camera
Camera permission allows Spime to capture photos and videos directly through the app, including photos used when creating a Spime.
Without camera access, you won't be able to capture and contribute photos or videos.
Microphone
Microphone permission allows Spime to record sound when capturing video.
Both Camera and Microphone permissions should be allowed when requested so that Spime's capture features work correctly.
Spime captures moments through the app. Camera and Microphone permissions make that possible.
Photos & Media
Spime doesn't require access to your photo library to upload existing photos or videos into Spimes—Spime contributions are captured through the app.
However, your device may request access to Photos or Media when you choose to perform certain actions, such as:
- Selecting an existing photo for your profile avatar.
- Saving a Spime photo to your device.
When prompted, allow the appropriate access if you want to use that feature.
Privacy Policy & Terms
Before using Spime, you'll also need to confirm that you've read and accepted our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
These explain how Spime operates, what information is used to provide the service, and the terms governing your use of the app.
Both are available directly from the Location & Privacy screen for you to review before accepting.
What Happens If I Decline a Permission?
Required permissions aren't simply there to enable optional conveniences. Some are necessary for fundamental Spime functionality.
Without Location, Spime can't properly determine which Spimes are near you or whether you're physically within a Spime.
Without Camera and Microphone access, Spime's photo and video capture features won't work correctly.
Without the required Background Location permission, a Dynamic Spime can't reliably follow its creator when the app is no longer in the foreground.
If something in Spime isn't behaving as expected, checking your device permissions should be one of your first troubleshooting steps.
Already Declined a Permission?
No problem—but depending on your device, you may not be asked for the same permission again automatically.
You can change previously declined permissions through your device's Settings.
The Location & Privacy screen also provides a shortcut to your device settings, making it easier to review and change permissions when necessary.
After making a change, return to Spime and check that the required options are enabled.
A Note About Your Location and Privacy
Requiring location access doesn't mean your personal location is being published to other Spime users.
Spime uses location to provide its location-based functionality—to determine what's around you and what you can do based on where you are.
For Dynamic Spimes, background location allows the Spime to move with its creator while the feature is active.
Location makes Spime work. Privacy controls how your experience is shared.
For more information about Spime's privacy options and location controls:
Before You Continue
When you reach the Location & Privacy screen:
✓ Enable Location (While Using App)
✓ Accept Background Location Tracking
✓ Accept the Privacy Policy & Terms
Then tap Find shared cameras near you and start exploring Spime.
Give Spime the permissions it needs, and everything is ready to work when you need it.
