Check In lets someone know if you do not arrive where expected. You start it inside a Messages conversation before leaving, and your iPhone monitors the trip. If you arrive normally, it ends quietly. If you are late and do not respond, it can share safety details with the person you chose.
Check In requires iOS 17 or later and works through iMessage between compatible iPhones, not Android or group chats.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want a friend or family member to be notified automatically if you do not make it home, to school, to work, or to another destination safely.
Start a Check In
- Open Messages and choose the conversation with the person who should receive the Check In.
- Tap the plus button beside the message field.
- Choose Check In.
- Select a travel type such as Walking or Driving, or use Custom for your own time window.
- Review the expected arrival details.
- Tap Send.
The other person receives a message that a Check In has started.
What Happens Next
- If you arrive on time, Check In ends and the other person sees that you arrived. Extra details are not shared.
- If you are late, iPhone asks whether you are okay or need more time.
- If you do not respond, iPhone shares information such as current or last known location, route details, battery level, and signal status, depending on the situation and settings.
- You can end a Check In early from the conversation once you are safe.
Check In Notes
Privacy While On Track
The other person does not see your live location or route while everything is progressing normally.
Compatibility
Check In uses encrypted iMessage features and requires both people to use supported iPhones. It does not work with Android contacts or group chats.
Battery or Signal Loss
If the iPhone loses power or connection during an active Check In, the feature can share the last available status so the recipient knows where and when contact was lost.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use Check In in Messages on iPhone
- Apple Support: Share your location with friends and family on iPhone