MyBuddy User Guide

🔴 IMPORTANT: Not a 24/7 Tracker

This is NOT like traditional tracking apps. We do not watch your location continuously. There are no "dots on a map" for people to stare at.

MyBuddy sleeps until an event happens (like you arriving at a Place Alert, or a contact specifically asking where you are). This saves your battery and protects your privacy.

Jump to:

1. Setting up the Buddy Hub

The "Hub" is the control center for your trusted contacts. It allows them to find you or get alerts automatically without you touching your phone.

  1. Tap Enter Buddy Hub on the main screen.
  2. Sign in with your Google Account (required to secure your link).
  3. Ensure the Buddy Switch is turned ON.

(If this switch is OFF, you are offline. No one can find you, even if they have your link.)

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2. Allowing contacts to find YOU

Instead of them calling to ask "Where are you?", they can just click a link to see your location.

📱 How the Invite Works:

When you add a buddy, the app automatically sends them an SMS invite with their private link. The SMS is sent directly from your phone.

  1. In the Hub, tap A List of my Buddies.
  2. Tap Add a New Buddy.
  3. Select your colleague, partner, or friend from contacts.
  4. That's it! The invite SMS is sent immediately.

IMPORTANT: They do NOT need the app! They receive the location via SMS/Email.

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3. Automatic Place Alerts

Perfect for coordination. Automatically notify someone when you arrive at or leave a specific place.

📱 SMS Notifications Included:

Every step sends SMS confirmations. Invite sent, Zone Approved, and Alert Triggered—your Buddy gets an SMS for everything so they never miss an update.

Creating a Place Alert:

  1. In the Hub, tap My Place Alerts.
  2. Tap Create an Alert.
  3. Search for a place (e.g., "Site A", "Office", "Home"), and tap Send.

How it works: You send the invite. Once your Buddy accepts, they will get a text automatically whenever you enter or leave that zone.

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4. Asset & Vehicle Protection £6/MONTH

🚚 Turn Any Android Phone into a Hidden Tracker

Perfect for: Work vans, tool trailers, classic cars, or caravans.

Step-by-Step Setup:

  1. Get an old Android phone (or buy a cheap one).
  2. Install MyBuddy on it.
  3. Add your main phone as a "Buddy" on the tracker phone.
  4. Hide the phone in your vehicle/asset (connected to power).

🔔 Smart Alert Setup:

Set up a Place Alert for your "Van Depot". Set it to notify on Departure.

Result: If your asset is moved/stolen, you get an instant SMS alert!

If Stolen:

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5. The £6/Month SIM Strategy SET & FORGET

💰 Why use a Monthly Bundle?

Smartphones use data in the background (updates, system checks). On standard Pay-As-You-Go airtime credit, this eats your money fast.

The Solution: A basic monthly bundle (like Giffgaff's £6 Goodybag) gives you:

Cost Comparison:

⚠️ Important:

We recommend Giffgaff because they run on the O2 network (great coverage) and have no contracts. You can cancel anytime.

6. Real World Uses

👷 Trades & Lone Workers

You are a Plumber in a loft or an Electrician under a floorboard. Your colleague needs to know where you are. You can't answer the phone. They click your Buddy Link, and your phone auto-replies with your location. You get on with the job.

🚚 Van Logistics

Running a small fleet? Don't pay for expensive vehicle trackers. Use the Androids your staff already have. Set arrival alerts for depots.

🎉 Social & Meetups

Mate stuck in traffic? Lost friends in a city? Don't call to ask "How far away are you?". Just "Ping" them and get an automatic text with their exact location.

👶 Family Logistics

Stop nagging your teen. Use Place Alerts to know when they get to school or sports practice.

7. Send Location Now (Manual)

Use this for one-off sharing ("I'm here!") or emergencies.

  1. Open the app.
  2. Tap Send Location Now.
  3. Select a contact or enter a mobile number.
  4. Tap Send SMS or WhatsApp.

They receive a text containing your **Real Street Address** (e.g., '12 High St, London') plus a Google Maps link.

8. Delete your data

You're in full control. You can delete your account and all data at any time via the "Manage Account on Web" button in the app.