Better Safe Than Sorry: Why You Should Be Using iPhone Check In

We introduced you to the iPhone’s Check In feature when it was first released as part of iOS 17 in 2023. If you’re not using it, maybe this refresher will make you reconsider.

While many iPhone users are understandably hesitant to share their location with others, especially if they aren’t close family, the great thing about Check In is that it allows you to do this only when it’s most important.

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With Check In, you can reassure your friends and family of your safety without letting them constantly track you. You can even limit the amount of information shared with a contact. It may just be the iPhone’s most underrated security feature; here’s where to find it and how it works.

Check In is managed through the Messages app. When active, it automatically notifies your selected friend or family member when you (and your iPhone) have arrived at a specified location, such as safely at home.

The person you’re “checking in” with doesn’t need to be at the same location. Rather, Check In is designed to let a loved one know where you’re headed and that you’ve arrived at the expected time, regardless of where they are. When you do, they’ll automatically receive a notification. However, your contact will also receive a notification if you don’t arrive at your destination within a reasonable time frame. This can also include some additional details that might be important if you’ve ended up stranded or lost, but you still have control over how much info gets shared.

Here’s how to send a Check In:

1. Open your Messages app and select a conversation with the person you’d like to share a Check In with.
2. Tap the + icon at the lower-left of your screen.
3. Scroll down until you see Check In and tap it.
4. Tap Edit in the Check In message body.
5. Tap Destination at the top-left of the Check In screen and type in your destination.
6. Once you’ve confirmed the destination is accurate, you can select whether you’re driving, using public transit, or walking. This is used to estimate your expected arrival time. You can accept that or add more time if necessary by tapping Add Extra Time.
7. When done, tap the blue check mark icon at the top-right of the screen.
8. The Check In message body will automatically update with your destination’s address and your expected arrival time.
9. Send your Check In to the recipient(s).

Apple also added a handy new Workout Check In feature in watchOS 11 that lets you automatically Check In while out on a run and notify your contacts when you finish. To use this, start your workout and then swipe right, tap Check In from the controls, and choose the contact you’d like to send Check In info to.

What Happens if You Miss a Check In?

If you arrive at your destination, the person you shared the Check In with will be notified automatically — there’s nothing you need to do. However, if your iPhone doesn’t arrive at your chosen destination by the expected time, you’ll receive a prompt asking if you want to update your contact(s) to let them know if you’re okay or need help.

If you don’t respond to this prompt within 15 minutes (or you place an Emergency SOS call), your friend or family member will receive a notification that includes your most recent location, and the battery and network signal strength of your iPhone or Apple Watch.

You can choose to configure your iPhone to share additional data, such as the route you traveled, by going to Settings > Apps > Messages > Check In Data and choosing Full.

• Limited: Includes most recent location and details about battery and network signal for iPhone and Apple Watch.
• Full: Includes all limited data plus route traveled and location of last iPhone unlock and Apple Watch removal.

It’s worth noting that the Check In will also trigger an alert to the recipient if you lose cellular service or your iPhone or Apple Watch powers off to ensure your latest location data is sent out in the event your devices don’t come back online.

Other Apple safety features like Emergency SOS and Crash Detection seem to get all of the glamorous press attention, and rightly so. However, the iPhone’s Check In feature is another indication of how Apple is using its devices to expand personal safety with proactive communication. Check In is a simple but powerful tool. Whether you’re going for late-night walks, traveling alone, hiking, or your kids are walking home from school, give Check In a shot. It may become part of your daily routine.