Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

By downloading, installing, or using Fluid Friction ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not download or use the App.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Fluid Friction ("we," "us," or "our") governing your use of the App.

What Fluid Friction Does

Fluid Friction is a digital-wellbeing app for Android. It adds physics-driven visual resistance to scrolling in apps you select, and ships additional tools for screen-time analytics, focus / pomodoro / todo, habits, sleep, meditation, an optional Friends social layer, an AI wellbeing coach, and system features like NFC triggers and Spatial (Wi-Fi) profiles. When you set it as your default home screen, the same installation brands as Fluid OS and replaces your launcher.

The App uses Android's Accessibility Service to detect the foreground app and scroll events so it can draw the friction overlay at the right moment. The accessibility service does not read on-screen text, passwords, messages, notifications, or page content, it reads only event types (scroll, window state, view click/focus) and the foreground app's package name.

Some features require data to leave your device: the Friends social layer syncs your profile and social content to Google Firebase; the optional cloud wellbeing report sends aggregated screen-time statistics to Google's Gemini API; and the opt-in crash reporting / analytics send diagnostic data to Firebase. For the complete list of what we collect, when, and why, see our Privacy Policy.

User Eligibility

To use Fluid Friction, you must:

• Be at least 13 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• Not be prohibited from using the App under applicable laws

If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use the App. If you are a parent or guardian permitting a minor to use the App, you agree to these Terms on behalf of the minor and are responsible for the minor's use.

Permissions & Your Device

By enabling Fluid Friction, you authorize the App to use the Android permissions below. Every permission is tied to a specific feature; revoking a permission disables the feature that depends on it but not the rest of the app.

Core functionality

• Accessibility Service: detect the foreground app and scroll events
• Display over other apps: draw the friction overlay
• Foreground service (special use): keep the service running
• Notifications: show the friction-active status notification
• Query installed apps: show the app drawer (Fluid OS) and apply per-app friction rules
• Vibration: haptic feedback

Optional features you can enable

• Usage access: screen-time ledger and behavioural pattern detection
• Notification listener: quiet hours and priority-sender rules
• Location (fine / coarse / background) and Wi-Fi state: Spatial Profiles by Wi-Fi SSID (GPS coordinates are never used or stored)
• NFC: physical trigger tags
• Microphone: voice-to-text quick-add in the Todo tool
• Camera: friend-code QR scanning
• Exact alarms, boot-complete, full-screen intent: sleep, pomodoro, and focus timers
• Ignore battery optimisation: keep the accessibility service alive on manufacturer skins that aggressively kill background apps

Cloud features you can opt in to

• Friends social layer: Google Firebase Authentication + Cloud Firestore
• Crash reporting: Firebase Crashlytics (off by default)
• Analytics: Firebase Analytics (off by default)
• Cloud AI wellbeing report / coach: Firebase AI Logic with Gemini (off by default)
• Fluid Pro subscription: Google Play Billing

You can revoke any of these permissions at any time in Android Settings, and you can turn off any optional / cloud feature from inside the app. Our Privacy Policy describes exactly what each permission is used for and what data, if any, is transmitted.

Free Features

All core features of Fluid Friction are free: scroll friction, app blocking, feature blocking, Smart Friction scheduling, NFC triggers, focus mode timer, and usage analytics. Free users have access to 3 visual themes.

Premium Themes

Premium unlocks access to all 92 visual themes. This is a one-time purchase or subscription through Google Play. All purchases are processed by Google and are subject to Google Play's terms and refund policies.

We are not responsible for issues with Google Play billing, including but not limited to failed transactions, duplicate charges, or refund disputes. Contact Google Play support for billing-related issues.

Intellectual Property

Fluid Friction, including its design, code, graphics, animations, themes, and documentation, is owned by us and protected by intellectual property laws. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the App for personal, non-commercial purposes in accordance with these Terms. This license does not include the right to:

• Modify, adapt, or create derivative works of the App
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the App
• Remove or alter any proprietary notices or labels
• Use the App for commercial purposes without authorization

Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code of the App
• Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the App
• Use the App for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Attempt to circumvent, disable, or interfere with security features
• Attempt to access premium features without payment
• Redistribute, sublicense, or resell the App or any part thereof
• Use the App in a manner that could damage, disable, or impair the App or others' devices
• Transmit any viruses, malware, or other harmful code through the App

Device & Performance Disclaimer

As an accessibility service that draws overlays and monitors app usage, Fluid Friction interacts with your device at a system level. By using the App, you acknowledge and accept the following:

Battery Usage

Running any accessibility service consumes battery. Fluid Friction is optimized for efficiency, but you may notice increased battery usage (typically 3-8% daily, depending on usage patterns and device). Battery impact varies by device model, Android version, and usage intensity.

App Compatibility

Fluid Friction is designed to work with 12 specific social media apps. Compatibility is not guaranteed for all versions of these apps, as app updates may change how they interact with accessibility services. We strive to maintain compatibility but cannot guarantee uninterrupted functionality.

Device Compatibility

Fluid Friction requires Android 7.0 or later. While we test on multiple devices, we cannot test on every Android device and manufacturer customization. Some devices, particularly those with aggressive battery optimization (Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, Huawei), may require additional configuration to keep the App running properly.

System Stability

As with any app that uses accessibility services, interactions with other apps, system updates, or device configurations could potentially cause unexpected behavior. If you experience issues, disabling the accessibility service will stop all Fluid Friction functionality.

User Responsibility

You assume all responsibility for the effects of using Fluid Friction on your device. We recommend reviewing our Help Center for troubleshooting guidance and optimization tips for your specific device.

No Warranty

THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
• Warranties that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses
• Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any content or functionality
• Warranties that the App will meet your requirements or achieve any particular results

We do not warrant or guarantee that the App will reduce your screen time, change your habits, or achieve any specific outcome. Results depend entirely on your personal commitment and usage patterns.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL FLUID FRICTION OR ITS CREATORS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES.

This includes, without limitation, damages for:

• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or use
• Device damage, malfunction, or data loss
• Battery degradation or increased battery consumption
• Interruption of business or personal activities
• Any other intangible losses

Even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages, our total cumulative liability arising from or related to these Terms or your use of the App shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the amount you paid for the App in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or (b) ten US dollars ($10.00).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. If these laws apply to you, some or all of the above limitations may not apply, and you may have additional rights.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Fluid Friction and its creators, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from:

• Your use of the App
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution, you agree to first contact us at [email protected] and attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will try to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days.

Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the App shall be resolved by binding arbitration, rather than in court. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA).

Class Action Waiver

You agree that any arbitration or legal proceedings shall be conducted only on an individual basis and not as a class action, collective action, representative action, or private attorney general action. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

Exceptions

Either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction for intellectual property infringement or other urgent matters that require immediate court intervention.

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of courts located in Delaware for any actions not subject to arbitration.

Updates

We may update the App and these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes to these Terms, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

Your continued use of the App after changes to the Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the App.

Termination

You may terminate your use of Fluid Friction at any time by uninstalling the App and ceasing all use. All data stored locally will be deleted upon uninstallation.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the App, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the App will immediately cease.

The following sections survive termination: Intellectual Property, No Warranty, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Dispute Resolution, and Governing Law.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the parties' original intent.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Fluid Friction regarding your use of the App. These Terms supersede any prior agreements, communications, or understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof.

Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email us at [email protected]

For general support, contact [email protected]