Tips For Life 360 Users: From The Very Beginning

In order for various applications to work the way you want, you should initially use them correctly. Let's find out today how to put Life 360 on a phone in a quick and efficient way and customize it to meet your specific requirements.

A Few Words About Life 360

It is a mobile application for family members and friends that allows users to have access to real-time location sharing, receive customizable Life360 notifications, and employ other safety features without limits. Its design revolves around the "Circle" - a private group that includes different members from your family or friends that helps you stay updated on their whereabouts and well-being.

Key Features

• Real-Time Location Sharing: You can see locations of your loved ones in real time. 

• Place Alerts: Set up custom locations, e.g., home, work, or school, and receive notifications when Circle members arrive at or leave these places.

• Driver Safety Support: You can monitor driving behaviors with this feature.

• SOS Alert: In emergencies, the SOS feature allows users to send an alert with their location to every member of the Circle.

• 24/7 Roadside Assistance: Life 360’s premium plan offers additional support for roadside assistance.

• Customizable Notifications: You can decide what notifications you want to get, e.g., you can even turn off data breach alerts in Life 360. Although, we do not recommend it. 
  

Step-by-Step Guide 

How to set up Life 360? It is a rather simple process. By following the steps below, you can be sure that your family and friends remain connected, no matter where life takes you.

1. Creating an Account

The first step is to download the app from your mobile device’s app store and create an account. Upon launching Life 360, you’ll be prompted to register using your email address or phone number—a process that’s both quick and secure.

• Choose a Strong Password: For account security, a strong password is a must. Opt for a complex combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to protect your data.

• Verify Your Account: Complete the verification process by following the instructions sent to your email or phone. This step activates your account and starts your work with Life 360.

2. Adding Family Members to the Circle

When your account is active, the next step is to form your Circle and add family members or friends to it. 

• Send Invitations: Use the app to send invitations to your family members’ emails or phone numbers. When they accept, they will appear in your Circle, visible on the map.

• Benefits: Having your family in one Circle simplifies communication, as everyone’s on the same page, whether it’s planning dinner or coordinating pick-ups.

3. Setting Up Places

With Life 360 you can set up different locations, e.g., home, school or work. So you will have real-time alerts when Circle members arrive at or leave these places.

• How to Set Up Places: Choose the ‘Places’ feature within the app, add a new location, and define its boundaries. You can personalize each location with a name for easy identification.

4. Customizing Notifications

Life 360 offers customizable notification settings: you can decide how and when you receive updates about your family members and friends.

1. Open the Life 360 app on your smartphone. Make sure you’re logged into your account.

2. Access the Menu: Look for the menu icon (often three lines or dots, depending on the device) and tap on it to open the app’s menu options.

3. Go to Settings: Within the menu, find and select the “Settings” option. This section allows you to adjust various aspects of your account and app preferences.

4. Select Notifications: In the Settings menu, look for a section or option labeled “Notifications.” This is where you can manage your notification preferences.

5. Customize Your Notification Preferences: Within the Notifications section, you’ll find various options to customize, such as:

• Place Alerts: Turn on or off notifications for when family members arrive at or leave designated places (like home, school, or work).

• Low Battery Alerts: Choose whether to receive alerts when a family member’s phone battery is low.

• Speed Alerts: If you have driver protection features enabled, you can set up notifications for when a family member is driving over a certain speed.

• Check-In Requests: Manage whether you want to receive prompts to check in at certain times or locations.

• Emergency Alerts: Opt in or out of receiving SOS alerts from other members in emergencies.

• Adjust Notification Sounds: Some devices and versions of the app allow you to customize the notification sounds for different types of alerts to easier distinguish between them.

• Silence Notifications: If you need a break from alerts, you can turn off the sound of notifications for a set period. 

6. Save Your Preferences: Once you’ve adjusted your notification settings to your liking, make sure to save your changes. Life360 will then send notifications according to your customized preferences.

5. Premium Features

• Is Upgrading Worth It?: Think about your family’s needs and decide if the premium plan with its 24/7 driver support and extended location history is worth the investment.

Life 360 Usage Buttons

To use the app efficiently, it is recommended to understand its key buttons. Here is a rundown of some of them and features you'll find within the app and what they mean:

• Location Circle: This is the main view when you open the app. It displays the map and the locations of all Circle members. Each member's location is marked with their profile picture or a pin that allows you to see where everyone is at a glance.  

• Check-In: Users can manually send a notification to all Circle members to indicate they are safe and sound. 

• SOS: In case of an emergency, the SOS button sends an immediate alert to all Circle members, along with your current location. 

• Messages: This feature allows Circle members to communicate with each other directly within the app. It supports both private and group chats.

• Battery Indicator: Each member's location icon also includes a battery life indicator that gives you a heads-up if someone's phone is about to die. 

• Help Alert (Life 360 Membership feature): Part of the premium subscription, the Help Alert feature offers access to professional emergency services with a single tap.

• Circle Switcher: For users who are part of multiple Circles (e.g., one with family and another with close friends), this feature allows easy switching between different groups to view locations and communicate with members in each one.

Is Life 360 Actually Good?

That is true that the app has many benefits, but like any other service, it also has its disadvantages due to which users want to know how to leave a Life 360 circle. Here are some of them:

• Privacy Concerns: One of the most significant disadvantages mentioned by users is the potential invasion of privacy. Continuous location tracking can feel intrusive, especially for teenagers and young adults who value their independence. 
• Battery Drain: The app requires GPS to function correctly, which can drain the battery life of smartphones. This might leave users with dead phones, especially if they're out for long periods.
• Data Security: There are cases of data breaches. Users should check out the security of their location data and personal information.
• False Alerts: Users have reported instances of receiving inaccurate location information or false alerts. 

• Subscription Costs: Life 360’s premium features require a subscription. Some families might find the cost prohibitive, especially when considering the app for long-term use.

• Inability to rely on other networks rather than GPS solely: Does Life 360 work on airplane mode? Unfortunately for us, users, no. The current version is limited to the existing GPS networks which may also suffer from delays and instability. But what could we do instead?.. 

• Limited Functionality Without Premium: Many of Life360's most appealing features, e.g., driver safety reports and extended location history, are locked behind the premium subscription. 

Why Number Tracker?

It is the best Life 360 alternative that specializes in phone location tracking. This focus results in a platform that meets and even exceeds user expectations in specific scenarios. 

Competitive Advantages of Number Tracker

• Focused Functionality: Number Tracker’s focus on phone location tracking means it offers specialized features designed specifically for this purpose.

• Rapid Setup and Ease of Use: The quick setup process and intuitive design of Number Tracker ensure users can start monitoring locations immediately.

• Privacy and Security: Number Tracker is committed to protecting user data. It employs robust security measures to ensure your family's information remains safe.

• AI Virtual Helper: This feature is your personal assistant that can help you with any questions during the day.

These are just some of the advantages that distinguish Number Tracker from the other apps on the market. We recommend that you download the application and evaluate it yourself to ensure its reliability and accuracy.

Now that you know all the pros and cons of the Life 360 application, and have also become acquainted with its worthy alternative, you can make the right choice in favor of one that can meet your needs, provide protection for your loved ones, and give you a sense of peace of mind.