Question 1

What is KinLink?

Accepted Answer

KinLink is a family safety app built around the Places Mesh concept: a growing network of named geo-fenced locations that reflects your family's real world. Guardians (parents, adult children of aging parents, caregivers) get notified when Dependents (teens, elderly parents, family members) arrive at or leave Places, and can request a check-in at any time.

Question 2

What is the Places Mesh?

Accepted Answer

The Places Mesh is the core idea behind KinLink. Instead of showing a live dot on a map, KinLink builds a network of named, meaningful locations: Home, School, Grandma's house, the mall, the soccer field. As you use the app and receive check-ins, the mesh grows. Every arrival and departure is reported in terms of these named places, not coordinates.

Question 3

What is a check-in?

Accepted Answer

A check-in is a Dependent's way of saying they're here and okay. A Guardian can request one at any time. The Dependent gets a push notification, taps once, and sends back their current GPS location, an optional short text note, and an optional photo. The Guardian can then turn that location into a new Place with one more tap.

Question 4

What is a Private Place?

Accepted Answer

A Private Place is a geo-fenced location that only the Guardian can see. It's invisible on the Dependent's own map. Private Places still trigger arrival and departure alerts for the Guardian; the Dependent just doesn't see the fence on their side. It gives Guardians an additional layer of awareness without showing their hand.

Question 5

Can I use KinLink for more than one family member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. One Guardian account can connect with multiple Dependents; you might track a teenager, an elderly parent, and a family member with special needs all from the same account. Each Dependent has their own connection and their own set of Places.

Question 6

Do both people need the app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both the Guardian and the Dependent need KinLink installed and an active account. The pairing process requires both parties to participate.

Question 7

Does the app work when it's not open?

Accepted Answer

Yes. KinLink uses background location services, so geo-fence alerts continue even when the app is in the background. The Dependent's phone needs to have background location permission enabled for KinLink.

Question 8

What devices does KinLink support?

Accepted Answer

KinLink is available on iOS (iPhone) starting July 1, 2026. Android support is planned for August 1, 2026. The app requires iOS 15 or later.

Question 9

Is there a web interface?

Accepted Answer

Not at launch. KinLink is a mobile-first app. A web dashboard is a potential future feature.

Question 10

Does KinLink track driving behavior?

Accepted Answer

No. KinLink doesn't monitor speed, hard braking, phone usage while driving, or any driving behavior. We're built around places and check-ins, not automotive surveillance.

Question 11

Is KinLink really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. KinLink launches completely free. No trial period, no credit card required. The full core experience (Places Mesh, alerts, check-ins, activity log, live map) is free.

Question 12

Will KinLink always be free?

Accepted Answer

The core experience will remain free. We plan to introduce an optional premium tier approximately 12 to 18 months after launch (roughly late 2027) for users who want more: unlimited Places, unlimited Dependents, higher location refresh rates. The features that give you peace of mind will never go behind a paywall.

Question 13

How does KinLink make money if it's free?

Accepted Answer

At launch, we're investing in user growth. The future premium tier ($5/month is our current thinking) will be the primary revenue model. We do not sell data and do not serve ads.

Question 14

How does KinLink compare to Life360's pricing?

Accepted Answer

Life360 charges $14.99 to $29.99/month for a family plan. KinLink is free at launch. When our optional premium tier arrives, we expect to price it at approximately $5/month, about one-third the cost of Life360's entry plan, for a product built around a different philosophy.

Question 15

Does the Dependent know they're being tracked?

Accepted Answer

Yes, always. KinLink requires active, mutual consent to pair. The Dependent must install the app, accept an invite code from the Guardian, and enter a PIN. There is no way to track someone silently or without their knowledge.

Question 16

How does the pairing process work?

Accepted Answer

The Guardian generates a unique invite code and a PIN inside the app. The Dependent receives the invite code (the Guardian shares it; it's not automatically sent), installs KinLink, enters the code, and then enters the PIN. Both are required. This two-factor process ensures the connection is genuine and consensual.

Question 17

Can a Dependent opt out?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A Dependent can be removed from a connection at any time, either by the Guardian or by the Dependent. When a connection is removed, all location sharing stops immediately.

Question 18

What data does KinLink collect?

Accepted Answer

KinLink collects location data for the features to work: geo-fence events, check-in locations, and live location when the map is viewed. We also collect standard account data (email, device info) needed to operate the service. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 19

Does KinLink sell location data?

Accepted Answer

No. KinLink does not sell, rent, or share your location data with third parties for advertising or commercial purposes. We are not in the data business.

Question 20

Is KinLink COPPA compliant?

Accepted Answer

KinLink is designed for Guardian accounts: parents, caregivers, and adult family members. Dependents can be minors, but they use the app under Guardian supervision and with active consent. If you have questions about children's data handling, please review our Privacy Policy or contact us at support@kinlinkapp.com.

Question 21

Is my location data stored securely?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Location data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We follow industry-standard security practices for data storage and access control.

Question 22

Who can see my location?

Accepted Answer

Only the Guardians you are actively paired with can see your location. Location data is not visible to KinLink employees, third parties, or other users.

Question 23

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Download KinLink from the App Store (free), create a Guardian account, create your first Place, and then invite a Dependent using the invite code in the app. The whole process takes about five minutes.

Question 24

How do I invite a family member?

Accepted Answer

Inside the KinLink app, go to the Dependents section and tap 'Add Dependent.' The app will generate a unique invite code. Share that code with your family member (by text, email, or in person). They'll enter it in their KinLink app after installing it.

Question 25

What is the PIN and why do I need it?

Accepted Answer

The PIN is a second layer of security on top of the invite code. You set the PIN and share it with your Dependent separately from the invite code. They need both to complete the pairing. This prevents someone from connecting with a Dependent just by intercepting an invite code.

Question 26

How do I create a Place?

Accepted Answer

In the KinLink map view, tap any location and select 'Create Place.' Give it a name, set the radius, and save. You can also create a Place from any check-in location by tapping 'Create Place' directly in the check-in card.

Question 27

Can I change a Place's name or location?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can edit any Place (name, location, and radius) at any time from the Places section of the app.

Question 28

How do I remove a Dependent connection?

Accepted Answer

Go to the Dependents section, select the connection, and choose 'Remove Dependent.' Location sharing stops immediately.

Question 29

I'm not getting arrival/departure alerts. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

First, check that background location is enabled for KinLink on the Dependent's device (Settings → Privacy → Location Services → KinLink → Always). Also ensure notifications are enabled for KinLink on your device. If both are enabled and alerts still aren't working, try removing and re-creating the affected Place.

Question 30

The Dependent's location isn't updating.

Accepted Answer

This usually means background location permissions are off on the Dependent's phone. Check Location Services settings. Also make sure the Dependent's phone has a signal and isn't in Airplane Mode.

Question 31

The check-in request wasn't received by the Dependent.

Accepted Answer

Check that notifications are enabled for KinLink on the Dependent's device. Also verify the pairing is still active in the app.

Question 32

How do I contact support?

Accepted Answer

Email us at support@kinlinkapp.com or use the live chat widget on this site. We aim to respond within one business day.

Question 33

Where is KinLink based?

Accepted Answer

KinLink is based in Redondo Beach, California.

Question 34

When was KinLink founded?

Accepted Answer

KinLink was founded in January 2025.

Question 35

When does the iOS app launch?

Accepted Answer

July 1, 2026 on the App Store.

Question 36

When will Android be available?

Accepted Answer

August 1, 2026 on Google Play.

Question 37

How do I stay updated on KinLink news?

Accepted Answer

Join our waitlist at kinlinkapp.com and we'll email you when the app launches. You can also follow our blog for product updates and family safety content.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Setup & Getting Started

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About KinLink