Frequently Asked Questions
The Basics
What exactly is RU-Alive?
RU-Alive? is a situational awareness app for Android and iOS devices. It performs automated audits in the background by checking your phone's native hardware (the accelerometer) for physical movement. If the app detects an extraordinary state of stillness beyond the timeframe you establish, it automatically dispatches a text message to the contacts you have selected.
Is this a medical alert or a replacement for 911?
Absolutely not. RU-Alive? is strictly a communication utility. It cannot call emergency services, it is not a medical monitoring device, and it should never be used as a replacement for a call to 911. It simply notifies a trusted friend or family member that your phone has not moved, allowing them to determine the appropriate next steps.
Who is this app built for?
It is designed for anyone who lives independently and wants a reliable way to stay connected to their support network without having to make daily check-in calls. It is heavily utilized by individuals aging in place, residents of independent senior centers and retirement communities, and anyone living solo.
Functionality & Setup
Do my contacts need to download the app too?
No. Your designated contacts do not need to install RU-Alive? or create an account. When an automated audit triggers an alert, they will receive a standard SMS text message directly to their phone.
What happens if my phone dies?
We built a proactive safety net for this exact scenario. If your device's battery drops below 5%, the app preemptively sends a "Low Battery" text message to your designated contacts. This ensures they know that a sudden lack of communication is likely due to a dead phone, not a personal emergency.
Do I need to leave the app open on my screen?
No. Once activated, RU-Alive? runs continuously and silently in the background. You can close the app and use your phone exactly as you normally would. Occasionally you may need to open the app just to confirm it is actively running, but it requires no daily interaction.
Privacy & Battery
Will this app drain my battery?
No. Our architecture is highly battery-optimized. Because the app relies on hardware triggers (your device's internal gyroscope and accelerometer) rather than continuous software polling or constant GPS tracking, it consumes virtually zero battery power while monitoring your phone's stillness.
Does the app track my location?
The app does NOT continuously track your daily movements. However, if you choose to enable the optional location feature during setup, the app will acquire and append the last known location of your phone only when a critical inactivity or low-battery message is actively triggered.
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