Legal

Terms of Service

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Welcome to Essence. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Essence mobile application (the “App”), operated by Bubble and Maple (“we”, “us”, “our”), based in Ontario, Canada.

By creating an account or using the App, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

Contact: essenceapp@icloud.com

1.What Essence Is

Essence is a focus timer app that lets you run timed work sessions, block selected apps during focus, collect session “polaroid” memories, and earn pearls for completed sessions. It includes two timer modes (Deep Work and Tidal Flow) and optional premium features.

2.Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use Essence. If you are under the age of majority in your country, you may only use Essence with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to these Terms on your behalf.

3.Your Account

Essence requires you to sign in with Google or Apple to use the App. By signing in:

• You agree to provide accurate information as supplied by your chosen provider
• You are responsible for all activity on your account
• You must not share your account or let others use it
• You must notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access

You may delete your account at any time (Settings → Account → Delete Account, or online at essenceapp.cc/delete-account).

4.Subscriptions — Essence Premium

Essence offers an optional paid subscription, Essence Premium, which unlocks additional features.

Pricing

Prices may vary by country and are shown in your local currency at checkout.

Billing

Payment is processed by Apple (App Store) or Google (Google Play), depending on your device. We use RevenueCat to validate and manage subscription status. We never see or store your payment details.

Auto-renewal

Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the period ending, at the rate in effect.

Cancellation

You can cancel your subscription at any time:

• iOS: Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions
• Android: Play Store → Account → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions

Canceling stops future renewals. You will continue to have Premium access until the end of your current billing period.

Refunds

Refund requests are handled by Apple or Google according to their policies. We do not process refunds directly.

Free trials and promotional offers

If you use a free trial or promotional offer, Premium features become paid at the end of the trial unless you cancel before then. Unused trial periods are forfeited when you begin a paid subscription.

5.App Blocking — Important Disclaimer

The app blocking feature is a productivity aid, not a guaranteed block. It works by using platform features (iOS Family Controls, Android Accessibility Service and Usage Stats) to redirect you away from apps you've selected during a focus session.

You understand that:

• You can bypass blocking by disabling permissions, uninstalling the App, or using another device
• Blocking may not work for every app, every OS version, or after operating system updates
• Essence cannot prevent you from being reached through channels other than the blocked app
• You are responsible for not blocking apps you may need for emergencies

6.Your Content

You may add photos and notes to your session records (“Your Content”). Your Content stays on your device — we do not upload or store it.

You retain all ownership rights to Your Content. You confirm that Your Content does not violate any law or infringe anyone else's rights.

7.Acceptable Use

When using Essence, you agree not to:

• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or modify the App
• Use the App for any illegal purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to access the App
• Resell, sublicense, or commercially exploit the App
• Use the App in a way that could damage, disable, or impair our services
• Circumvent any security feature, subscription gate, or access control

We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these rules.

8.Intellectual Property

Essence — including the App, its source code, designs, brand, pearl and shell illustrations, and content we provide — is owned by us and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the App for personal, non-commercial use, subject to these Terms.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works of the App or its content without our written permission.

9.Third-Party Services

Essence relies on third-party services — including Apple, Google, Supabase, RevenueCat, PostHog, and Canny. Your use of the App is also subject to the applicable terms of those providers. We are not responsible for the content, availability, or practices of third-party services.

10.Disclaimers

The App is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure, or that defects will be corrected.

Essence is designed to help you focus. We make no promises about productivity outcomes, behavior change, mental wellbeing, or any specific result from using the App. Essence is not a substitute for professional advice.

11.Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Our total liability for any claim related to the App is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim, or $50 CAD, whichever is greater
• We are not liable for loss of data, lost profits, or missed opportunities

Some jurisdictions do not allow these limits. Where that applies, the limits apply to the maximum extent permitted by law.

12.Indemnification

You agree to defend and indemnify us against any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the App
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or third-party right

13.Termination

You may stop using the App at any time by deleting your account and uninstalling the App.

We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms or if we stop offering the App. Sections that by their nature should survive termination — including intellectual property, disclaimers, liability limits, indemnification, and governing law — will remain in effect.

14.Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by email before they take effect. Continued use of the App after changes means you accept the new Terms.

15.Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable in Ontario, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. You agree that any disputes will be resolved in the courts of Ontario, Canada, except where local consumer protection law gives you a different right.

16.Apple App Store — Additional Terms

If you download Essence from the Apple App Store, the following additional terms apply:

• These Terms are between you and us, not Apple. Apple is not responsible for the App or its content.
• Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance or support for the App.
• If the App fails to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price. Apple has no other warranty obligations.
• Apple is not responsible for addressing claims related to the App, including product liability, legal/regulatory compliance, or consumer protection.
• Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and may enforce them against you.

17.Contact

Questions about these Terms?