Before the evening news
“I’ll check in before the evening news. If the Plan needs attention, try me first. We’ve agreed who to contact if I don’t answer.”
For people who live on their own
Your day. A check-in you choose.
Choose a daily check-in time and someone you trust. BackBy turns that small habit into a clear plan for staying in touch, with a next step if you miss it.
- No account
- No location tracking
- Nothing to wear
Daily check-in
5:00 PM
No action needed
You choose the time and the people.
Together, you agree what a missed check-in means.
Everyday examples
Make it part of your day.
Choose a check-in time that fits something you already do: finish breakfast, take your vitamins, or watch the evening news.
After breakfast
“I take my vitamins after breakfast. That’s when I check in, too. My friend is my Backer, and we’ve agreed what to do if I miss it.”
Before settling in
“I chose my neighbor as my Backer. We’ll check the app together and practice what to do if I miss the time.”
The experience
Choose a time. Agree a response.
A once-a-day check-in can fit beside breakfast, vitamins, or the evening news. BackBy connects that familiar routine with a friend, family member, or neighbor.
Set a once-a-day check-in
Choose a time that fits your routine and set the Plan to repeat daily. Grace is extra time before a missed check-in needs attention. More grace means a longer wait.
Choose your people
A Backer is someone you choose to check on you. They need BackBy on an iPhone. Pair privately using your QR code or 12 words, then agree what they should do if you miss a check-in.
Check in and wait for confirmation
Open BackBy and press I’m safe. Wait for confirmation that the check-in is complete. Need longer? Use Add time before the cutoff. Both actions need an internet connection; offline actions stay pending.
A missed check-in
Extra time also means extra waiting.
With a 5:00 PM check-in and 24 hours of grace, a missed check-in needs attention after 5:00 PM the next day. Backers can see the Plan before then. Their app must fetch updates, and alerts can be delayed or missed.
- ScheduledNo action needed
- LateWithin the grace period
- Needs AttentionRead the note and check in
For you and your Backer
Your Plan. Their next step.
I live on my own
Keep the choice with you.
Choose a time that fits your day and someone who agrees to check on you. Set the routine together so each person knows what to expect.
I’m looking out for someone
Agree what to do if they miss a check-in.
Your app checks for updates and shows when a Plan needs attention. Read the note, try to make contact, and follow the steps you agreed. BackBy leaves the response with the people who know each other.
Privacy by design
A check-in without an account.
BackBy is designed around a simple principle: the server should know as little as possible about the people using it.
Read what BackBy can and cannot protect- No account
- No sign-up, password, or profile.
- No address book upload
- You pair directly with your Backers. BackBy does not keep a server-side list of them.
- Encrypted notes
- BackBy encrypts notes on the phone. Emergency Only is the default, with Right Away available for people who choose immediate sharing.
- No tracking tools
- The design excludes cookies, analytics, and retained IP records.
How note privacy is designed to work
Encrypted on your phone. Shared on your terms.
- Your phone Encrypts your note
- Sealed note Hidden from the server
- BackBy server Stores the encrypted note
- Backer’s phone Reads it when allowed
A clear role
BackBy is not a medical alert service.
- Not a fall detectorBackBy is designed to show missed check-ins. It cannot detect a fall, illness, or whether you need urgent help.
- Not automatic emergency responseThere is no monitoring center. BackBy does not call emergency services. Your Backers decide how to respond.
- Updates through the appBacker apps check for updates and may notify locally. Delivery depends on the phone’s settings and connection. The server does not call or message anyone.
Common questions
What you need to know.
Does BackBy detect falls?
No. It cannot detect a fall or illness. A missed check-in means a check-in was missed; it does not tell your Backer why. BackBy is not a medical alert service.
Does it track where I am?
No. BackBy does not track your movements. You can choose to add a fixed map pin. Maps are off by default; loading one can share your IP address and the viewed area with the map provider.
Will BackBy call anyone?
No. Backer apps check for updates and may notify locally, subject to phone settings and connection. Backers decide how to respond using the Plan and the note.
What does my Backer need?
Each Backer uses the BackBy app on an iPhone. Pair privately with a QR code or 12 words. No account or password is needed.
What if I forget to press it?
The app can remind you, but phone settings may silence or delay reminders. After grace ends, an unconfirmed check-in can become Needs Attention. Agree with your Backer how to check on you if that happens.
What if my routine changes?
Tell your Backers what is changing. Add time can move the current deadline if the server confirms it before the cutoff; it does not change your repeating schedule. Review future check-ins separately.
Who can read my note?
Emergency Only is designed to keep the note locked until the Plan needs attention, you ask for help, or a completion carries the private safety signal. Right Away offers immediate sharing instead.
Why a once-a-day check-in?
It can fit something you already do, such as finishing breakfast or taking your vitamins. BackBy makes that small habit a shared agreement with someone you trust.
What happens when I press I’m safe?
Wait for the server to confirm completion. A normal completion finishes that check-in; it does not resolve other missed check-ins. Daily repeats create separate Plans. Emergency Only is designed to keep the note locked after normal completion.
Start a daily habit
Your first check-in starts with your people.
Get BackBy and choose a friend, family member, or neighbor to check in with. Have a question? Send us an email.