My device is flashing a red, green, or blue light — what does it mean?

Your Greenlight Safe Family device uses different light colors and patterns to let you know what it’s doing. These lights can tell you when your device is updating its location, charging, or needs attention. Here’s what each light means and how to respond.

When the device isn’t plugged in

When your device isn’t connected to a power source, the light colors reflect what’s happening internally — from location updates to battery status.

Green light

If you see a solid green light, your device is performing a location update. Once the light turns off, the update is complete and you should see the new location in your Greenlight app.

Blue light

A solid blue light means your device is running system tasks, like updating its software. If it’s blinking blue, it’s simply starting up. When the light alternates between blue and green, the device is connecting to GPS satellites — this can take up to about 90 seconds and is completely normal.

Red light

A solid red light indicates a system hardware issue. If the red light is blinking, that means the device wasn’t able to complete a location update. Once the blinking stops, you can press the power button once to try again manually.

If the light alternates between red and green, the battery is running low — just plug it in to charge as soon as you can.

When the device is plugged in

When the device is charging, you’ll see a solid red light. Once it’s fully charged, the light turns solid green to let you know it’s ready to go.

FAQs

• What if the red light stays on after charging for several hours?
  First, double-check that your USB-C cable and power source are working correctly, and inspect the charging port for any dust or debris. If the red light stays on after you’ve checked those, reach out to Greenlight Support for assistance.
• Why does my device flash blue and green for a long time?
  That means it’s still acquiring GPS signals. If it’s taking longer than 90 seconds, try moving to an open area with a clear view of the sky.
• How can I fix a solid red light that indicates a hardware issue?
  If the light doesn’t change after restarting or charging the device, contact Greenlight Support so they can take a closer look.
• Can I use the device while it’s charging?
  Yes! Your Safe Family device can be used while it’s plugged in.