How KinSignal works
Set check-ins, keep trusted contacts informed, and optionally prepare private notes for encrypted release under your chosen safety settings.
Step 1 — Set a check-in schedule
A successful wellbeing check-in records completion and starts or resets the schedule. Cloud missed-check-in alerts start only after the first successful check-in and the required cloud setup. Checking in does not prove health, safety, location status, or wellbeing.
The first local reminder is scheduled for the next check-in due time. If the check-in remains incomplete, a second local reminder is scheduled two hours later. Local reminders require device notification permission.
Step 2 — Add trusted contacts
The owner can add trusted contacts, who can verify email and accept invitations by email link or QR code. Trusted contacts can create or log in to their own KinSignal account. A person can be both an owner and a trusted contact.
Trusted contacts do not need to pay Advanced to receive alerts or view released notes shared with them.
Step 3 — Missed check-in alerts
Cloud alert timing is separate from local reminder timing. The backend checks missed check-ins approximately every 15 minutes, so email or push delivery may occur later than the displayed threshold.
When the threshold is reached, the owner and eligible verified trusted contacts may receive email alerts. If the owner has Advanced, eligible accepted trusted contacts with push enabled may also receive app push notifications. Trusted contacts do not need to purchase Advanced themselves.
Alerts use calm wording and must not imply certainty or panic. Example: “Someone you support has missed a scheduled check-in. Open KinSignal to review.”
Step 4 — Optional private note release
For individual owners, Private Note Release is an opt-in Advanced feature. Separately entitled Business accounts may also have access. Only selected text notes are encrypted on-device for selected eligible recipients. Attachments and file metadata are never included. Preparing a package does not release it when the first missed-check-in alert is sent.
Only selected encrypted packages for selected contacts are released. One contact’s acknowledgement does not automatically release notes to all contacts.
Private note release follows a delayed policy
Private Note Release is separate from missed check-in alerts. It is optional, selected, encrypted, and governed by the owner’s release settings.
Owner misses check-in
The release flow begins only from unresolved missed-check-in rules.
Trusted contacts receive missed-check-in alerts
Contacts are informed with alert wording that avoids certainty or panic.
The later release time must be reached
The earliest eligible time is whichever is later: the alert threshold plus the configured unresolved days, or the alert threshold plus the owner cancellation window.
Each recipient may need to acknowledge
If acknowledgement is required, each recipient must acknowledge their relevant alert. Acknowledgement does not itself immediately release the note.
Release packages are checked hourly
Availability may occur later than the earliest eligible time.
Owner can cancel before release
A check-in before release cancels applicable pending alerts and packages.
Selected encrypted packages are released
Only selected packages for selected contacts become available.
Released content may not be retractable
Content already released or viewed may not be fully retractable.
Build a calm check-in rhythm for the people who matter
Start with wellbeing check-ins and trusted contacts. Add encrypted private note release only when you are ready to choose selected text notes, recipients, and release settings.