Frequently asked questions
Does Chillswitch call 911?
No. It tells the people you chose, and nobody else. Chillswitch is not an emergency service and has no way to reach one. If you need police, fire, or an ambulance, call them yourself, and call them first.
Is Chillswitch a kill switch?
No. Chillswitch does not wipe, lock, or delete personal files from your phone. The switch records a check-in and, after the service confirms it, can send an all-clear for an active alert. Wiping a phone in trouble can lead to prosecution for destroying evidence.
Does it track my location?
Not unless you ask it to. Location is optional and off by default. It is never live. See location settings.
What happens if my phone dies or I lose signal?
The countdown is kept on Chillswitch's servers, so it carries on. Check in somewhere without signal and your phone holds the press and sends it when it can. If your phone is off when your deadline passes, your contacts are told, because a dead battery and somebody in trouble look the same from the outside.
What happens if I miss a check-in by accident?
Check in during the grace period and no alert is sent. If escalation has started, checking in sends a signed all-clear. See I missed a check-in by accident.
Do quiet hours stop alerts?
No. Quiet hours change when you are asked, not what happens after a miss. An alert already running carries through them, and alerts about people you look out for still reach you.
Why do I have to hold the button?
Because a tap is too easy to do without meaning it.
Why is there no fingerprint or face unlock?
In many places, memorized codes are afforded stronger legal protection against compelled unlocking than biometrics. See passcode or pattern.
What if somebody is making me check in?
Set a secret distress code.
What can my safety contacts see?
Only what you chose to share, and mostly only once something has gone wrong. See what your contacts are told.
Can a contact get alerts without installing the app?
Yes, by text, after they opt in, where texting is available. See text alerts.
How do you have an account with no email address?
Your device creates a pseudonym and key pair. Recovery uses a code generated on your phone and never sent to us. Chillswitch keeps the encrypted backup; you keep the code. Neither works alone.
Is Chillswitch free?
The core is free, not a trial. See plans overview.
Do you sell personal data or run ads?
No. There are no ads, no data sales, and no third-party behavioral trackers.
How do I move to a new phone?
See move to a new phone.
What languages and devices are supported?
English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Arabic, on iPhone and Android.
Who runs Chillswitch?
Modernaut LLC.