You can send a time- or destination-based Check In
to a friend or family member to automatically let them know
when you've arrived at your destination.
Here's how.
We'll start with an overview of Check In,
then we'll show you how to send it in Messages.
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Before you start, you'll need an iPhone using iOS 17
with cellular connectivity, and you'll need to be
signed in to iCloud in order to send a Check In.
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In order to view the details of the Check In,
your friend needs an iPhone with iOS 17,
an iPad with iPadOS 17, or a Mac using macOS Sonoma,
and they'll need to be signed in to iCloud.
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OK, let's learn a little more about Check In.
Check In is meant for those moments
when a loved one tells you to text them when you get there.
You can send a Check In within Messages
to let your friend know when you get to your destination.
When you arrive, they'll be automatically notified.
But if you're delayed,
Check In recognizes that you're not making progress
and prompts you to add more time if your plans have changed,
like if you make an unexpected stop on your way home
or if your time-based Check In has ended.
If you don't respond within 15 minutes,
Check In will automatically share useful information
with your friend, like your battery level,
cellular service status, and location.
In addition to setting up Check In with a destination,
you can set it up for a duration of time.
During the initial setup, you'll be asked to choose
the data you'd like to share when you send a Check In,
which will only be shared if you are unexpectedly delayed.
You can change your level of data sharing
at any time in Settings.
Limited data will provide your current location,
battery details, and the network signal of your iPhone.
In addition to what is shared with limited data,
sharing full data will also include
the route you've traveled --
from where you started to your current location --
and the last place you unlocked your iPhone.
If you are unexpectedly delayed,
your friend will then be able to view this information
and find out how you're doing.
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Now you're ready to send a Check In
to a friend or family member.
In a Messages conversation, tap the plus button
and then tap Check In.
You might need to tap the More button first,
but you can move Check In to the top of your app list
at any time.
Check In will appear in the text field,
and you can tap Edit to customize your options.
If you want to send a time-based Check In,
you can tap "After a timer."
Or if you want to send a location-based Check In,
make sure you're in the "When I arrive" tab
and tap Change below the map.
Then type your destination address into the search field...
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...and tap to select it.
You can decide when Check In will end
based on how far you will be from your destination.
Choose either Small, Medium, or Large,
and your friend will get an arrival notification
once you're inside the radius you've selected.
Tap Done in the upper-right corner
when you've set your destination.
Then select whether you'll be driving,
taking public transit, or walking.
Tap Done in the upper-right corner when you're ready,
and then tap Send.
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When your friend receives the message notification,
they can tap it to see where you're headed,
and then tap Details to view your estimated time of arrival.
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When you arrive at your destination,
Check In will automatically end,
and your friend will be notified.
Or if you are unexpectedly delayed,
like you stopped walking and didn't confirm
that you'd like to add time or end Check In
when you were prompted, your friend will get an alert.
They can tap the alert,
and then tap Details to view your current location, battery,
and your cellular service status
so they can help you out if you need it.
And that's Check In, an easy way to keep your friend
in the loop when you're out and about.
To learn more about your iPhone,
subscribe to the Apple Support YouTube channel,
or click another video to keep watching.
Check In isn't available in all countries or regions.
The sender and recipient both need devices
with the latest operating system.
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