Hanzi Ben is designed to keep your data on your device. This policy explains the one case where information leaves your phone.
Handwriting recognition (OCR) β when you use Check on the practice card, or draw to search, the strokes you draw (a sequence of coordinates and timings β not an image or screenshot) are sent over the internet to Google's Handwriting Input API so the character can be recognised. This happens only when you actively draw and tap Check or use draw-search; it does not happen in the background. Handling of this data once it reaches Google is governed by Google's own privacy policy.
Everything else stays local β your curriculum selection, deck order, card position, learned/progress markers, streak data, settings (theme, language, voice, OCR mode) and your "My Hanzi" list are stored only in your browser's local storage on your device. Hanzi Ben has no server, no account system, and does not collect, transmit or sell any of this information.
Export / Import β the Export Progress button creates a JSON file containing the local data above, saved to your device. You decide if and how to share or back it up. Import simply reads such a file back into local storage.
No ads, no analytics, no tracking β Hanzi Ben does not include advertising SDKs, analytics SDKs, or third-party trackers.
Children β Hanzi Ben does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children, since no personal information is collected at all.
Changes β if this policy changes, the updated version will be made available within the app and on our website.
Hanzi Ben β a handwriting-first Chinese character practice app.
Getting started β pick a curriculum chip on the home screen (New-HSK 3.0, HSK 2012, Mandarin House, Hanzi Ben, or My Hanzi), choose books and chapters below it, then tap Begin Practice. Or jump into Radicals from Quick Access to learn the 100 building-block components first.
Practising a card β write the character on the canvas with your finger or stylus. Strokes animates the correct stroke order; Ghost shows a faint guide beneath your drawing; Check scores your handwriting automatically and marks the card Learned if correct. Undo and Clear sit beside the canvas, and Flip reveals the back with Pinyin, a memory tip, stroke count, and a mini dictionary.
Search β use the search bar to find any character by English meaning, Pinyin, Hanzi, or by drawing it, across all curricula at once.
Progress & Streak β the β checkbox (manual or automatic via Check) tracks learned cards; progress bars show completion per book and chapter. Blindspots filters a deck down to only what you haven't learned yet. A π₯ streak badge tracks daily practice once you start. Finishing a deck offers to continue straight into the next chapter.
Internet connection β only Check and draw-to-search need internet (they call Google's handwriting recognition). Everything else β browsing curricula, flipping cards, Strokes, Ghost, progress tracking, streaks β works fully offline.
Backups β use Export / Import progress in Settings to save or restore all your local data as a JSON file.