Help Center
Find answers below, or reach out directly — we're a small team and we actually read every message.
Search "Tether safety" on the App Store or tap the download link on this site.
Hosts tap "Start event", name it, set the radius and timer. Guests scan the QR code shown on the host's screen.
Tap "Allow While Using App" first. When the event starts, you'll be asked to allow "Always" so the halo works in the background.
Watch the shared map. You'll see everyone in your group and receive alerts if anyone drifts outside the halo.
When the timer expires, tracking stops and all location data is wiped. You'll get a confirmation on screen.
| Level | Trigger | Who gets alerted | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Member crosses the geofence boundary | The member themselves | A push notification: "You're drifting outside the halo." |
| Orange | Member remains outside the halo for more than 3 minutes | The member's designated buddy | Push to buddy: "[Name] is outside the zone. Check on them." |
| Red / SOS | Member's battery drops below 10% while outside the halo, or they tap the manual SOS button | All event members | Broadcast: "[Name]'s last known location + battery %". Location is locked to map for group to navigate to. |
Getting started
Yes — all event members need the Tether app installed. However, guests who join via QR code do not need to create a permanent account. They just enter a display name when they scan and they're in.
iOS requires "Allow Always" permission for an app to monitor your location while you're using other apps — for example, when you're texting inside the stadium and Tether is in the background. Without it, the geofence alerts won't fire reliably.
Tether only activates background location when a Tether event is actively running. When no event is in progress, the app does not track your location at all. A persistent banner on your lock screen will always tell you when sharing is live.
The free version supports up to 10 members per event. Events with more participants are available in future Premium tiers — sign up for launch updates at support@tether-safety.com.
No. Every event is protected by a unique QR code and a short-lived join token. The token expires after a period set by the host, and only members who have scanned the code can see the group map. There is no searchable public directory of events.
Privacy & data
Yes. When your event timer expires (or the host manually ends the event), a server-side process wipes all location coordinates and session data associated with that event. There is no way for Tether-safety LLC employees to retrieve this data afterward — it no longer exists on our servers.
You can read the full technical explanation in our Privacy Policy, Section 5.
Tether employees do not view individual location data in the normal course of operating the service. Location data is accessible by our backend infrastructure only to transmit it to other members of your active event. We do not use your location for any purpose beyond your active event.
No. We do not sell, license, or share your personal data with any third party for commercial purposes — ever. Our revenue model is event passes and B2B licensing to venues and organizers, not advertising.
Troubleshooting
First, check that you've granted Tether camera permission: Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → Tether should be toggled on.
If the camera is allowed but scanning still fails, the host can share the join link directly via iMessage or AirDrop. Tap "Share invite link" on the event screen and send it to guests.
Low-battery SOS alerts to the group are a core safety feature and cannot be disabled — they exist so your group knows to call or come find you if your phone dies. However, the personal low-battery reminder (notifying you when you're below 20%) can be turned off in the app under Event Settings → Alerts → Battery reminder.
Tether uses battery-efficient "Significant Location Change" monitoring during most of an event, and only ramps up GPS frequency when you are near the geofence boundary. However, high-density venues (like a 100,000-person stadium) can cause your phone's cellular radio to work harder than normal — that is the venue's network, not Tether's GPS usage.
Tips to extend battery during events: turn on Low Power Mode before the event, reduce screen brightness, and connect to venue Wi-Fi if available.