Last updated: July 5, 2026 · Applies to: Photality for macOS, all versions.
This License Agreement ("Agreement") is a legal agreement between you ("you") and Trevor D'Arcey ("we", "us") for the Photality software application ("Software"). By downloading, installing, or using the Software, you agree to be bound by this Agreement. If you do not agree, do not install or use the Software.
The Software is provided free of charge. We grant you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to install and use the Software on Macs that you own or control, subject to this Agreement. The Software is licensed, not sold. We reserve all rights not expressly granted to you under this Agreement, and we (and our licensors) retain all right, title, and interest in and to the Software, including all intellectual property rights.
Photality is free to download and use, with no paywall and no license key. If you choose to leave a tip to support development, that tip is voluntary and non-refundable, and it does not change this Agreement or entitle you to any additional rights, support, or warranty.
You may not: (a) redistribute, resell, rent, lease, or re-host the Software; (b) reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software except to the extent that applicable law expressly permits; (c) remove or alter any proprietary notices; or (d) use the Software to violate any law.
The Software automates camera control during astronomical events, including total solar eclipses, which are time-critical and unrepeatable. We do not warrant or guarantee that the Software will successfully capture any image, that timing will be correct, that your hardware will perform, or that any session will complete. Successful imaging depends on many factors outside our control, including your camera, computer, cables, power, USB stability, focus, settings, storage, and your own preparation. You are solely responsible for testing and rehearsing your full setup in advance. Treat the Software as one tool among several and have a backup plan; do not rely on it as your only means of capturing an unrepeatable event.
The Software's audio and on-screen reminders — including the solar-filter prompts around second and third contact — are informational conveniences only, not safety devices. They may fire late, early, incorrectly, or not at all. You are solely responsible for the use of proper, certified solar filtration and for safe solar observation practices at all times. Never view or image the sun through any instrument without appropriate solar filters except during the brief interval of totality, and never rely on the Software to determine when filters may be removed or must be replaced. Improper solar observation can cause permanent eye injury and equipment damage.
The Software is provided free of charge and we are under no obligation, express or implied, to provide any maintenance, technical support, updates, or bug fixes for the Software. Any support we do provide is entirely at our discretion and may change or stop at any time.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL BE ERROR-FREE OR UNINTERRUPTED.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL WE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF DATA, IMAGES, PROFITS, OR OPPORTUNITY (INCLUDING A MISSED OR FAILED ECLIPSE CAPTURE), ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY. This includes, without limitation, any damage to or malfunction of your computer, cameras, focusers, mounts, cooling systems, storage media, cables, or other connected hardware or peripherals arising from your use of the Software; you are responsible for operating your equipment within its safe limits. BECAUSE THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE, OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS IS LIMITED TO THE SMALLEST AMOUNT PERMITTED BY LAW. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain exclusions, so some of the above may not apply to you.
The Software may check for and install updates (via Sparkle). Updates are governed by this Agreement. We may update this Agreement from time to time; the version published for the release you download or update to applies, and material changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date above. Your continued use of the Software after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Agreement.
This license terminates automatically if you breach it. On termination you must stop using and delete the Software.
You represent that you are not located in, and will not use the Software in, any country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated as supporting terrorism, and that you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties. You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and with any third-party terms and conditions that apply to your hardware or software when using the Software.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California, USA, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or removed to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement, together with any notices we provide, is the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Software and supersedes any prior agreements. Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of it.
Questions: support@photality.net.
Third-party components (e.g. the ZWO and Player One camera SDKs, libusb, Sparkle) are subject to their own licenses, included with the application where required.