Solo day hike
“I’ll check in by 5:30 PM, with two hours of grace. My note lists the route, turnaround point, and where I parked.”
For the trip. And the person waiting at home.
Leave a plan before you head out.
Choose a return time and someone you trust. BackBy gives them a clear next step if you miss your check-in, with your trip details ready when they need them.
- No account
- No live tracking
- Internet needed to check in
Out of the canyon
5:30 PM
No action needed
You choose when you expect to check in.
Your Backer agrees what to do if you don’t.
Everyday examples
Different trips. One clear agreement.
Dawn-patrol ski tour
“Back by 3:00 PM. My note lists our route, partners, and return options. We’ve agreed who to contact if we’re overdue.”
Four-day river trip
“Check-in is Sunday at 6:00 PM. A 24-hour grace period means a missed check-in needs attention after Monday at 6:00 PM. The note lists our route and shuttle contact.”
The experience
A return time, a Backer, a check-in.
A trip plan should be easy to leave and easy to follow. BackBy connects the time you expect to return with the person you trust to act.
Allow time to reach a connection
Set your check-in for when you expect to have internet access again. A Plan can span several days. Grace adds extra time before a missed check-in needs attention; a longer grace period also delays that signal.
Agree the next steps
Choose someone who can check the app and respond. Pair privately, then leave a note with your route, return options, companions, and who to contact.
Check in and wait for confirmation
With a connection, press I’m safe or use Add time before the cutoff. An offline action stays pending until the server confirms it. A tap alone does not complete or extend the Plan.
A missed check-in
Know when the grace period ends.
For a 5:30 PM check-in with two hours of grace, a missed check-in needs attention after 7:30 PM. The Backer’s app checks for updates and shows the next step.
- ScheduledNo action needed
- LateWithin the grace period
- Needs AttentionRead the note and check in
Heading out or staying in touch
Your Plan. Their next step.
I’m heading out
Make the plan clear before you go.
Choose a check-in time, leave a note, and agree the next steps with your Backer. The plan stays in your hands.
I’m looking out for someone
Agree what to do if they miss a check-in.
Your app checks for updates and shows when a Plan needs attention. Read the note, try to make contact, and follow the steps you agreed. BackBy leaves the response with the people who know each other.
Privacy by design
A check-in without an account.
BackBy is designed around a simple principle: the server should know as little as possible about the people using it.
Read what BackBy can and cannot protect- No account
- No sign-up, password, or profile.
- No address book upload
- You pair directly with your Backers. BackBy does not keep a server-side list of them.
- Encrypted notes
- BackBy encrypts notes on the phone. Emergency Only is the default, with Right Away available for people who choose immediate sharing.
- No tracking tools
- The design excludes cookies, analytics, and retained IP records.
How note privacy is designed to work
Encrypted on your phone. Shared on your terms.
- Your phone Encrypts your note
- Sealed note Hidden from the server
- BackBy server Stores the encrypted note
- Backer’s phone Reads it when allowed
A clear role
BackBy is not a rescue service.
- Not a locator beacon or satellite messengerBackBy cannot send a distress signal from the field. It does not replace a locator beacon or satellite messenger.
- Not live trackingAn optional map pin marks one place. It does not show where you are now.
- Updates through the appBacker apps check for updates and may notify locally. Delivery depends on the phone’s settings and connection. The server does not call or message anyone.
Common questions
What you need to know.
Does it work with no signal?
Once the server confirms the Plan, the traveler’s phone can go offline. Checking in or adding time needs a connection and confirmation. The Backer needs internet access to fetch updates; notifications depend on phone settings and background checks.
Does it track me?
No. BackBy does not track your movements. You can choose to add a fixed map pin. Maps are off by default; loading one can share your IP address and the viewed area with the map provider.
Will BackBy call anyone?
No. Backer apps check for updates and may notify locally, subject to phone settings and connection. Backers decide how to respond using the Plan and the note.
Can I use it for a multi-day trip?
A Plan can span several days, with up to 24 hours of grace. Choose a check-in time when you expect to have a connection. More grace means more time before a missed check-in needs attention.
Is this a replacement for a PLB or satellite messenger?
No. BackBy cannot send a distress signal from a place without a connection. It supports the trip plan you agree with a Backer, not to replace field communication or rescue equipment.
What should my note say?
Include your route, turnaround or return options, vehicle location, companions, and agreed contact steps. Keep it short enough for your Backer to use.
Why build around a trip plan?
People already leave plans with partners and friends. BackBy gives that familiar habit a clear time, a private note, and a next step the Backer can follow.
Before your next trip
Leave a plan with someone you trust.
Get BackBy, choose a Backer, and agree when you’ll check in. Have a question? Send us an email.