How to make a check-in plan when you live alone

Start by asking someone you trust if they’re willing to call when you miss a check-in. Discuss what they should do if you don’t answer. If they live far away, you may also need someone nearby who can get to your home.

Write down which number to call, who else to contact, and who has a key. Keep addresses, access codes, and other private details between you and the people you trust.

Choose a time that fits your day. If you’re checking in by text, agree on when you’ll send it and how long your contact should wait before calling. Allow for work, sleep, and time zones. You might simply forget, so talk about what to do then too.

With Ghosted’s free plan, you choose a daily deadline and tap “Still Here” any time before it. Checking in early won’t move tomorrow’s deadline. If you miss your deadline, you have 2 extra hours. Ghosted sends your contact a Telegram alert only if you still haven’t checked in. Premium lets you adjust the reminder timing and grace period.

Ghosted keeps your chosen time zone even if your phone switches to a new one. You can change it in Settings or pause check-ins and alerts with Travel Mode. If you have an older account with a timer that counts from your last check-in, save a daily schedule in Settings to switch.

If you already text someone every day and they know when to follow up, you may have all you need. Ghosted is useful when you want an alert sent automatically if you miss a check-in.

Ghosted doesn’t track your location, monitor your health, or call emergency services. It also can’t guarantee that your contact will see the alert or respond. A daily check-in is not a way to request immediate help.

I built Ghosted because I live alone with my dogs. An alert is useful, but someone still needs to be able to get in and care for them.

Decide who can get into your home and look after your pets. Leave feeding and care instructions, along with a backup contact in case that person can’t come. Ghosted sends the alert; you arrange pet care directly.

Fill in this template together, then keep a copy where you can both find it.

I’ll check in using [text / Ghosted]. If [our agreed time passes / you get a Ghosted alert], please call me at [number]. If you can’t reach me, contact [backup person] and follow our agreed plan: [next steps].

[Name] can get into my home. My pet-care instructions are [where to find them]. If I’m traveling or changing my routine, I’ll let you know.

If you use Ghosted, make sure your contact has accepted the invitation in Telegram. Test alerts aren’t available yet. Update your plan whenever your routine, address, or contact changes.