Ova Animations built Extra Contacts (Extra Contacts: Hide Contacts on Google Play). It lets you move contacts you rarely need out of your phone's address book into a private list inside the app, called Extras, and move them back whenever you like. You can group contacts into spaces such as Office or Home, find duplicates, and see the name of an incoming caller who is in your Extras. The app is free and has no ads.
Your contacts stay on your phone. The app has no internet access, no account, no analytics and no ads. The developer cannot see your data, and it is not sold or shared.
Information the App Uses
Everything below is processed and stored only on your device:
- Contacts — the app reads your phone's contacts so you can choose which to move. Moving a contact to Extras deletes it from your phone's contacts, and therefore from the account they sync with (for example Google). Moving it back writes it to your phone again
- Incoming calls — if you choose Extra Contacts as your Caller ID app, the app receives the number of each incoming call and checks it against your Extras. If it matches, the app shows the contact's name in a notification and/or a banner over the call screen. It does not block or reject calls
- Call list — for calls identified this way, the app keeps a list on your device (name, number and time) so you can see them in the app. Entries are removed after 90 days, and you can clear the list at any time
- Your own additions — notes, tags, photos, spaces and app settings
- App lock — if you turn it on, the app uses your phone's fingerprint, face or screen lock. The check is done by Android; the app never sees your biometric data
Permissions
- Contacts (read and write)
- to read, remove and restore contacts as described above
- Sync settings
- after a contact is removed, the app asks Android to sync right away so the removal reaches your account promptly instead of the contact reappearing later
- Phone state
- only to notice when a call ends, so the caller banner can be dismissed
- Display over other apps
- to show the caller banner over the call screen
- Notifications
- to show the caller name and backup messages
- Biometric
- for the optional app lock
- Foreground service
- to keep the caller banner on screen while the phone rings
The app does not request the Internet permission.
Backups and Exports
You can export your contacts (JSON, vCard or CSV) and schedule backups to a folder you choose. A backup holds your Extras with their notes, tags, photos and spaces. Those files are in your control, and anyone with access to that folder can read them, so store them somewhere you trust.
Android's own backup and device transfer may also copy the app's data, including your Extras, notes and settings, to your Google account, depending on your phone's backup settings. This is handled by Android and Google. The developer has no access to it.
Third-Party Services
The app includes no advertising, analytics or crash-reporting services, and no third-party code that collects data. It uses standard Android components and open-source libraries that run on your device.
Data Retention and Deletion
Contacts you delete stay in the app's Trash for 30 days and are then removed. Identified-call entries are removed after 90 days.
Uninstalling the app deletes all of its data from your device. Backup and export files you saved elsewhere remain until you delete them. Copies in your Google backup are managed in your Google account.
Security
Your data stays on your device and is never sent by the app over the internet. Keep your phone protected with a screen lock, and consider turning on the app lock. No method of electronic storage is 100% secure, so absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
Children's Privacy
This service does not address anyone under the age of 13. Personal information from children under 13 is not knowingly collected. If it is discovered that a child under 13 has provided personal information, it is promptly deleted. Parents or guardians aware of such situations should make contact for necessary action.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
This privacy policy may be updated from time to time, for example when new features are added. Updates will be posted on this page with a new effective date.