Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about LastBeacon.
What is LastBeacon?
LastBeacon is a personal safety app that checks in with you on a schedule you set. If you don't respond, your trusted contacts (guardians) are notified so they can check on you. Think of it as a safety net that works automatically.
How does the heartbeat timer work?
You set a timer duration (from 1 day to 5 years). When the timer runs down, you get a reminder to tap "I'm OK." If you don't respond, your guardians are alerted through escalating notifications at 7 days, 3 days, 1 day, 4 hours, and 1 hour before the timer expires.
What is Trip Mode?
Trip Mode is designed for solo travelers. One tap starts location check-ins during your trip. If your trip timer expires without a check-in, your guardians receive a pulse alert with your last known location. You can end Trip Mode anytime by tapping "I'm Back."
How secure is the encrypted vault?
Your vault uses zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption. Data is encrypted on your device before it leaves, using a key derived from your password. We cannot read your vault contents. Each vault item shared with contacts gets its own encryption envelope with a unique key.
What happens if I lose my password?
During setup, you receive a 32-character recovery key. This key can restore access to your encrypted vault even after a password reset. Store it somewhere safe — we cannot recover it for you.
Can I use LastBeacon anonymously?
Yes. Anonymous Mode lets you use LastBeacon with just a device ID — no email address required. You still get the full heartbeat timer, encrypted vault, and guardian features.
What does "guardian verification" mean?
When your timer expires, your guardians don't just get a notification — they're asked to verify your status before any vault content is released. This prevents false alarms and ensures a human is always in the loop.
Is my location data stored permanently?
No. Location breadcrumbs are only collected during active Trip Mode. They are kept after a trip ends so your guardians can review them if something happened, automatically deleted 90 days after the trip ends, and you can delete them yourself at any time. No background location collection occurs outside of Trip Mode.
How much does it cost?
LastBeacon is completely free during early access — every feature, no credit card, no time limit. Paid plans may be introduced later, and early-access users will get advance notice before anything changes.
Which platforms are supported?
LastBeacon is available on iOS, Android, and the web. Your account syncs across all platforms automatically.
What happens to my data if I delete my account?
When you delete your account, all your data is permanently removed from our servers, including vault items, contacts, trip history, and encryption keys. You can also export all your data before deletion.