Scheduled check-ins
Choose when you plan to check in again and update or stop the timer whenever plans change.
Check In for independent travel
Explore independently. Keep your people in the loop.
Set a check-in time before a travel day, border crossing or solo excursion. If you miss it, the people you selected can be notified and—only if you enabled it—receive your live location.
The challenge
Freedom without constant messages
Backpacking plans move quickly, signal comes and goes, and time zones make daily calls awkward. A shared check-in plan tells people when they should expect to hear from you without turning the trip into continuous tracking.
Useful features
A clear plan when the itinerary is flexible
Location after an overdue check-in
If you choose it, live location sharing can begin when a timer expires so selected contacts have useful context.
Local emergency numbers
Find local emergency telephone numbers in the app even without mobile data; calling still requires cellular coverage.
People you choose
You decide exactly who can follow a timer, receive notifications, or see location information.
Everyday examples
A simpler check-in plan for your next trip
A long bus journey
Set a timer for arrival and extend it if delays are announced.
A solo day trip
Share an expected return time with a sibling before leaving the hostel.
Crossing a remote region
Choose overdue location sharing before entering an area with patchy data.
What it adds to the plan
- Fewer routine ‘I’m okay’ messages
- Clear expectations across time zones
- Useful context after an overdue timer
- Local emergency numbers available without mobile data
Privacy and user control
Your information stays under your control
You choose the contacts, the timer and whether location is shared only after an overdue check-in or continuously. A travel partner cannot switch those settings on for you.
PrivacyPractical guides
Guides for staying connected
Backpacking and travel
How to create a travel check-in plan
A practical check-in plan tells trusted people when to expect an update and what to do if it does not arrive.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Check In work without mobile data?
Updates and live location need a connection to be delivered. Local emergency numbers remain visible without mobile data, and calls may work when cellular voice coverage is available.
Is it a replacement for travel insurance or emergency services?
No. Check In is a communication and coordination tool. Keep suitable insurance, share an itinerary and contact local emergency services when urgent help is needed.
Can I change a timer when travel is delayed?
Yes. You can update or stop a timer as your plans change.
Make the next plan easier to share
Download Check In, choose the people you trust and set your first check-in timer.