Getting started
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Install on both phones
Each paired phone needs Welcome Back installed. The Android app supports Android 8.0 and later. Check app availability.
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Pair the phones
Follow the pairing instructions in the app to manually share the 16-character code between the two phones. Share the code only with the person you want to pair with.
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Allow nearby detection and notifications
Keep Bluetooth enabled and allow the app's required nearby-device and notification permissions. On Android 11 and earlier, Bluetooth discovery may be covered by a location permission. The app does not use GPS tracking.
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Turn on monitoring on both phones
Keep monitoring active on each phone. Allow Welcome Back to run in the background using your phone's battery settings, and avoid force-stopping the app while you want monitoring to work.
How return alerts work
Bluetooth is the primary way Welcome Back notices a paired phone nearby. Same-Wi-Fi detection supplies a secondary presence signal.
A paired phone needs to be away for two minutes before its return can trigger an alert. When it is detected again, Welcome Back sends one return notification. Repeated nearby detections do not produce an alert every time.
For a return test, let one phone leave nearby detection for more than two minutes, then bring it back. If both phones remain on the same Wi-Fi network, the secondary presence signal may still detect the phone as nearby.
Detection timing and range depend on your phones, surroundings, permissions, and background settings. Welcome Back does not show an exact distance or a GPS location.
Not seeing a return notification?
Check these on both phones:
- Pairing: confirm that the intended phones are paired using the shared code.
- Monitoring: make sure monitoring is switched on in Welcome Back.
- Bluetooth and permissions: keep Bluetooth enabled and allow the permissions the app requests for nearby detection.
- Notifications: check that Android allows Welcome Back notifications. Also check Do Not Disturb and other notification-silencing settings.
- Background activity: review your phone's battery restrictions for Welcome Back. A force-stopped or restricted app may not detect a return.
- Away time: make sure the other phone has actually been away for at least two minutes before testing its return.
Android settings vary by phone manufacturer and version. Search your phone's settings for Welcome Back to review its permissions, notifications, and battery options.
Common questions
Do both phones need the app?
Yes. Both Android phones need Welcome Back installed, paired, and actively monitoring.
Why does Android mention location permission?
Android 11 and earlier can require a location permission for Bluetooth discovery. Welcome Back uses that compatibility permission to detect nearby Bluetooth signals. It does not request GPS coordinates or track a route.
Does Welcome Back need a cloud account?
No. There is no Welcome Back cloud account or internet server. Presence detection uses nearby Bluetooth and same-Wi-Fi signals. Pairing information and the current presence state are stored on your phone.
Why did I get one notification instead of repeated alerts?
That is intentional. Welcome Back sends one alert when a paired phone returns after the away threshold. Continued nearby detections do not generate repeated return alerts.
Can I use it with an iPhone?
An iPhone version is in development. There is no public App Store or TestFlight link to share yet.
What if Google Play says it is unavailable?
If Google Play says the app is unavailable for your account, contact us for access information. Include what the store says and your Android version.
Still need a hand?
Email 10tothehundrethpower@gmail.com with your phone models, Android versions, app version, and a short description of what happened.
Please leave pairing codes, passwords, and payment details out of your message. If you send a screenshot, check it for personal information first.
You can also read how Welcome Back handles your information.