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Check-ins: a quick “I'm here”, and a way to ask for one

A check-in in Orbily is a one-off “I'm here” that goes to your orbit with the place you pick, without switching on live location sharing. When you want to hear from someone, you can ask them to check in, and their answer comes back to you alone. Both are free on every plan.

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How do I check in?

Open Safety, tap Check in, and pick a nearby place or where you are now. Add a quick message if you like. The check-in appears on the orbit's map and in its chat, and its location is removed after 24 hours.

Do I need to share my location to check in?

No. A check-in is a single share of the place you choose. It works for people who never share live, and it does not switch live sharing on.

How does asking someone to check in work?

Open their profile, tap Ask to check in, pick a reason or write your own, and choose how long they have: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour or two hours. They get a nudge with a gentle chime, and a reminder halfway through. Their answer goes to you, not to the whole orbit.

What if they don't answer?

When the window passes with no answer, you are told, with when they were last seen, their phone's battery, and quick ways to call them, message them or ask again.

Can someone ask me over and over?

No. There is only ever one open request between two people, and nobody can send more than six requests in an hour.

More questions about check-ins

No. A check-in is a calm “I'm here”. An SOS is for when you need help now, and it alerts everyone in your orbit at once. Orbily does not call the emergency services: if someone is in danger, call 999 in the UK, or your local emergency number, first.