Storage, privacy, and file behavior

The camera stream travels directly from the phone to the Mac, and a movie is created only in the folder you choose.

No cloud relay No account or analytics

A direct local connection

Camera video, phone audio, orientation, battery, and attitude messages use one direct stream. iPhone USB uses the private point-to-point interface created for the trusted cable. iPhone and Android Wi-Fi use the selected local network interface.

No cloud relayThe media path stays between the two devices.

No sign-inViewfinder has no user account or hosted library.

No analyticsThe app and bundled manual do not send usage telemetry.

One selected sourceOnly the camera route visible in Viewfinder is received.

Permissions by device

Device	Permission	Why
iPhone	Camera	Capture the rear wide camera.
iPhone	Microphone	Capture the active iOS audio route.
iPhone	Local Network	Advertise and send the direct camera stream.
iPhone	Motion	Send level and roll telemetry.
Android	Camera	Capture the rear camera.
Android	Microphone	Capture phone audio.
Android	Local Network	Advertise and send the direct camera stream.
Android	Sensors	Send level and roll telemetry.
Mac	Local Network	Discover and connect to After2AM Capture.

Viewfinder does not request the Mac camera or microphone because it does not capture either one.

The recording folder

The folder picker grants access to the directory you select. The choice made in a connected window is stored for that phone, so future windows and sessions return it to the same destination. A phone without an assignment uses the default folder selected in Settings. Choose mounted, writable locations with enough free space for the planned recording time.

Changing the folder never moves older movies.
New takes go to the connected phone's selected destination.
Clearing companion app data or reinstalling it can reset the phone identity and its folder association.
Existing file names are preserved; duplicates receive a numbered suffix.
Show Recording reveals the last completed take without moving it.

What persists

Item	Persistence
Completed MOV files	Remain in the selected recording folder until you manage them in Finder.
Default and per-phone recording folders	Remembered between launches while companion identity remains stable.
Mirrors, grid, level, VU	Remembered between launches.
Prompt speed and appearance	Remembered between launches.
Prompt script text	Current app session only.
Battery and attitude telemetry	Transient; not stored in the movie.

Safe recording practice

A local MOV is not yet a backup

Play and inspect important takes, then copy them into the production’s normal backup workflow. Keep the destination mounted until SAVING… has disappeared.