How do I check my Safe Family device's battery, signal, and connection status?

Everything you need to know about your device's status is available right in the Greenlight app. Here's where to find it and what it all means.

Where do I find my device's status in the app?

To view the current status of a specific device, go to your Device page/ Safety dashboard and tap the device's name in the horizontal navigation bar beneath the map. You'll see a white status bar showing whether your device is Connected, along with three key details:

• Frequency — how often the device is sending location updates
• Battery — the device's current charge level
• Signal — the strength of the device's cellular connection

Tip: To jump directly to that device's settings from this view, tap the "Settings" gear in the top right corner of the status section.

What do the different connection states mean?

Your device tab will show one of the following connection states:

• Connected — the device is active and sending updates normally
• Activation in progress — the device is still completing the pairing process
• Disconnected —  the device is not currently connected and cannot receive any signal

If your device has a particularly low battery or has been disconnected, you’ll see a yellow or red alert at the top of your device view with details on how to troubleshoot. 

How accurate is my device's location?

Your Safe Family device uses Hybrid Location Technology — combining GPS satellites, Wi-Fi positioning, and cellular networks — to deliver location precision in a wide range of environments. That means stronger network coverage, no matter the distance between your phone and the device, even in areas of poor cell signal!

• Outdoor GPS: within 3–5 meters (10–16 feet)
• Indoor Wi-Fi: within 10–30 meters (33–98 feet)
• Cell tower triangulation (used when GPS and Wi-Fi aren't available): within 100–250 meters (328–820 feet)

You'll see the current accuracy level reflected on your map in the app:

• If accuracy is strong (within about 165 feet), the device appears as a green pin with its exact address shown above the icon
• If accuracy is mid-range (within about 165–1,200 feet), the device appears as a pin with a blue circle — the circle size reflects the range, and the label will show something like "Within 400ft"
• If accuracy is very low (over 1,200 feet), the device will show a caution icon and a "within 500m" label. You'll also see a yellow error message in your device tab and receive a push notification

Tip: Location accuracy can be affected by weak or no cell/GPS signal, low battery, or the device being inside certain buildings. See tips for improving your device's signal.

What affects my device's battery life?

While other trackers last just a few days, the Greenlight Safe Family device has a powerful 750mAh rechargeable battery. On a single charge, the battery can last between 2–4 weeks, depending on the location update setting and environmental conditions including cellular network coverage. A few things that can cause the battery to drain faster:

• More frequent location updates (every 1 minute or every 5 minutes vs. every 10 minutes)
• Spending time in areas with weak or no cellular signal — the device will keep retrying to connect, which uses more power
  • For example, when a device spends a lot of time on a plane, on an underground train, in a basement with limited signal, or inside a cinderblock building (such as some older schools).

Tip: Your device will send updates less often when it's stationary to help preserve battery. Location updates resume as soon as the device starts moving again.

Still need help? We're here for you. 

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