How Can We Help?

Find answers, get support, and learn how to make the most of PingCircle

Getting Started

Learn the basics and set up your constellation

Getting Started

How do I create an account?

Download PingCircle from the App Store and tap "Sign in with Apple." No password needed—just one tap authentication. Your Apple ID keeps your account secure and private.

How do I add friends?

Tap the "+" button in the Friends tab. You have three options:

Search by Username: Find friends by their @username
From Contacts: Import friends already using PingCircle (with permission)
Share Invite Link: Send your unique link via text, email, or social media

What's the minimum number of friends?

We recommend 3-10 friends to start. PingCircle works best with your inner circle, not hundreds of acquaintances. Quality over quantity!

Can I have multiple circles?

Yes! Create separate constellations for family, work friends, college squad, gaming crew, etc. Each circle is private and independent. What you share in one circle stays there.

Check-Ins & Pulses

How often should I check in?

Daily is ideal for building streaks and staying connected, but you set the rhythm. We'll send one gentle reminder per day at your preferred time. Missing a day doesn't make you a bad friend—life happens!

What are the different pulse moods?

PingCircle offers 20+ mood options across 5 categories:

😊 Happy & Energized: Crushing it, Vibing high, Celebrating, Feeling strong
😌 Calm & Steady: Peaceful, Centered, Flowing, Relaxed
😔 Struggling & Tough: Down, Overwhelmed, Hurting, Heavy
😐 Neutral & Mixed: Meh, Uncertain, Mixed feelings, Tired
⚡ Needing Support: Crisis, Need comfort, Want to talk, Need energy

Can I edit my check-in after submitting?

Not currently, but you can add a note or reflection later in your journal (Reflections feature). We're considering an edit option for future updates.

Who sees my check-ins?

Only friends you've added to your constellation. Your data is private and never shared publicly or with advertisers. Each circle is separate—family doesn't see work check-ins, etc.

What happens if I miss a check-in?

Missing one day won't break your streak immediately. You have until midnight (your timezone) to check in. If you miss 2+ consecutive days, your streak resets—unless you're in Ghost Mode, which pauses streaks.

Pings & Messaging

What are Ping Tokens?

Tokens are earned through engagement and spent to send meaningful messages. This creates intentionality—every ping matters. Tokens aren't money; you can't buy them. You earn them by showing up consistently and caring about your friends.

How do I earn tokens?

+1 token: Daily check-in
+2 tokens: Replying to someone's ping
+3 tokens: First to reach out to a struggling friend (⚡ or 🆘)
+5 tokens: Logging a real-life meetup (both friends confirm)
+10 tokens: Maintaining a 30-day streak

How many tokens does it cost to send a ping?

1 token: Pre-written template ping
2 tokens: Custom message ping
3 tokens: Emergency ping (notifies even if DND/muted)
0 tokens: Replying to incoming pings (always free!)

What if I run out of tokens?

You can always reply to pings for free. If you're at 0 tokens and need to reach out, you can send one emergency ping (we won't leave you stranded). Then earn more tokens by checking in daily and engaging with your circle.

Can I send unlimited pings?

Replying to pings is unlimited and free. Initiating new pings costs tokens to encourage thoughtful, intentional outreach rather than spam. This keeps the experience meaningful for everyone.

Ghost Mode

What is Ghost Mode?

A mental health feature that lets you pause without penalty. When activated, your streak freezes (doesn't break), and friends see you're taking intentional time away. You can leave a "Ghost Whisper" to let them know you're okay.

How long can I stay in Ghost Mode?

Choose your duration:

3 days (Weekend reset)
1 week (Mental health break)
2 weeks (Extended pause)
Open-ended (Return whenever you're ready)

You can end Ghost Mode early or extend it anytime.

Can friends still ping me in Ghost Mode?

Yes, but the app suggests gentle, low-pressure messages. Normal pings are saved for when you return. Emergency pings (🆘 or 3-token) can still reach you if someone's truly worried.

Does Ghost Mode affect my streak?

No! Your streak pauses and resumes exactly where you left off. This is the whole point—rest without consequences. Taking care of yourself shouldn't break your progress.

What's a Ghost Whisper?

A short, poetic message (up to 50 characters) that appears where your star would be. Examples: "Finding my North Star 🧭" or "In a cocoon, becoming 🦋". It lets friends know you're okay without explaining everything.

Privacy & Security

Is my data safe?

Yes. We use end-to-end encryption for messages, secure Firebase infrastructure, and never sell your data. Your check-ins are private, your pings are encrypted, and your constellation is only visible to friends you've added.

Can I export my data?

Absolutely! Go to Settings → Privacy → Export Data. You'll receive a JSON file with all your check-ins, pings, reflections, and achievements. Your data is yours.

How do I delete my account?

Settings → Account → Delete Account. You'll be asked to confirm. All data is permanently erased within 30 days. This cannot be undone, so make sure you've exported anything you want to keep.

Do you sell my data?

Never. We don't sell, rent, or share your data with third parties for advertising or profit. We're not in the data business—we're in the connection business. Read our full Privacy Policy for details.

Account & Settings

How do I change my username?

Go to Profile → Edit Profile → Username. Usernames must be unique and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. You can change it once every 30 days.

How do I turn off notifications?

Settings → Notifications. You can customize:

Daily check-in reminders (on/off, preferred time)
Friend activity alerts (on/off)
Ping notifications (always/Ghost Mode only/never)
Quiet hours (no notifications during sleep)

Can I use PingCircle on multiple devices?

Yes! Sign in with the same Apple ID on any iOS device. Your data syncs automatically via iCloud. Currently iOS-only, but we're exploring Android and web versions.

Troubleshooting

The app isn't loading. What should I do?

Check your internet connection
Close and reopen the app
Restart your device
Make sure you're running the latest version (App Store → Updates)
If still broken, email us at support@pingcircle.app

My friend's check-ins aren't showing up.

Make sure:

You're both in each other's constellations (friendship is mutual)
They've actually checked in recently (their star dims after 24-48 hours)
They're not in Ghost Mode (you'd see a translucent star with whisper)
Your app is updated and connected to the internet

I lost my streak unfairly!

We're sorry! If you believe a streak was lost due to a bug or technical issue (not missing check-ins), email support@pingcircle.app with:

Your username
Approximate streak count before loss
Date/time you checked in (if you did)
Screenshots if possible

We'll investigate and restore if it was our error.

Contact Support

General Support

Questions, feedback, or issues

Email: support@pingcircle.app

Response time: Within 48 hours

Urgent Issues

Account lockouts, safety concerns

Email: urgent@pingcircle.app

Response time: Within 6 hours

Bug Reports

Found a bug? Help us fix it!

Email: bugs@pingcircle.app

Include: Device model, iOS version, steps to reproduce

Feature Requests

Ideas to make PingCircle better

Email: ideas@pingcircle.app

We read every suggestion!

Crisis Resources: If you're experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Emergency Services: 911
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

PingCircle is a social connection tool, not a crisis intervention service.

Can't find what you're looking for? Email support@pingcircle.app and we'll help you out. Real humans, real answers.