HeartSafeAlerts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

HeartSafeAlerts - Common Questions Answered

General Questions

What is HeartSafeAlerts?

HeartSafeAlerts is a free iOS app that monitors your heart rate in real-time and alerts you when it goes outside your target range. It works with Bluetooth heart rate monitors or Apple Watch.

How much does it cost?

Version 2.0 is completely FREE. No subscriptions, no in-app purchases, no premium tiers. All features are free forever.

Future: Care Circle (coming Q2 2025) will be an optional $2.99/month premium subscription for family notifications and health sharing. But all current features remain free.

Is this a medical device?

No. HeartSafeAlerts is a wellness app, not a medical device. It’s not FDA-cleared or clinically validated. Do not use it for medical diagnosis, treatment, or emergencies. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns.

Why did you make everything free?

Because we realized heart rate monitoring isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Athletes, seniors, and people with heart conditions need these tools regardless of their ability to pay. Version 2.0 reflects our commitment to accessibility over profit.

Compatibility

What devices does it work with?

iPhones:

Heart Rate Monitors:

Apple Watch:

Does it work with my Fitbit/Garmin watch?

If your device supports standard Bluetooth LE Heart Rate Service and can broadcast in “sensor mode,” it should work. Check your device manual for Bluetooth heart rate broadcasting capabilities.

Can I use it without any special equipment?

You need either:

The app cannot measure heart rate using only your iPhone (iPhones don’t have heart rate sensors).

Features & Functionality

What’s the difference between Bluetooth and Apple Watch modes?

Bluetooth Mode:

Apple Watch Mode:

Automatic Mode:

Does it work in the background?

Yes! Enable “Background Notifications” in Settings. You’ll receive push notifications even when the app is closed.

Note: Background Bluetooth monitoring is limited by iOS. For best results, keep the app open during active monitoring sessions.

How accurate is it?

Accuracy depends on your heart rate sensor:

HeartSafeAlerts displays data directly from your sensor. We don’t modify or “smooth” the readings. If your sensor is accurate, the app is accurate.

Can I set different thresholds for different activities?

Currently, the app has one set of thresholds (min/max BPM). You can adjust them anytime in Settings.

Tip: Adjust before activities:

Future: Multiple threshold profiles may be added based on user feedback.

What are session statistics?

Session stats show:

Stats reset when you start a new session (reconnect or tap refresh).

Privacy & Data

What data do you collect?

None. We don’t collect, store, or transmit your heart rate data. Everything stays on your iPhone.

No analytics. No tracking. No cloud storage. No servers.

Where is my data stored?

On your iPhone only. Session statistics are calculated in real-time and displayed during your session. User preferences (thresholds, alert settings) are stored locally in iOS UserDefaults.

No health data is permanently stored by HeartSafeAlerts.

Can I export my data?

Currently, session statistics are not exportable (they’re temporary and reset each session).

Future Care Circle users will have historical data and export capabilities.

Is it open source?

Yes! The entire app is open source on GitHub: https://github.com/brownsterbits/HeartSafeAlerts

You can inspect the code to verify our privacy claims. We believe in transparency.

Alerts

How do alerts work?

When your heart rate goes outside your target range (below min or above max), the app can:

  1. Sound Alert: Play a sound (if app is open)
  2. Vibration Alert: Haptic feedback (if app is open)
  3. Push Notification: Background notification (if app is closed)

Cooldown periods prevent spam:

Why am I not getting alerts?

Check these:

  1. Alerts enabled: Settings → Enable Alerts (should be ON)
  2. iOS permissions: Settings (iOS) → Notifications → HeartSafeAlerts → Allow Notifications
  3. Focus mode: Check that HeartSafeAlerts isn’t silenced in Focus settings
  4. Threshold values: Make sure your heart rate is actually outside the range
  5. Grace period: First 5 seconds after connection are grace period (no alerts)
  6. Stale data: If no updates for 5+ seconds, alerts are paused

Can I customize alert sounds?

Currently, the app uses iOS system sound (ID 1304). Custom sounds may be added in future updates based on user feedback.

Do alerts work during workouts?

Yes! Alerts work regardless of your activity. You may want to adjust thresholds before high-intensity workouts to avoid false alarms.

Tip: Exercise typically raises heart rate significantly. Adjust your max threshold accordingly (e.g., 170 BPM instead of 100 BPM).

Connection Issues

My Bluetooth monitor won’t connect. Help!

Troubleshooting steps:

  1. ✅ Power on your heart rate monitor
  2. ✅ Put it in pairing mode (check device manual)
  3. ✅ Wear the monitor (some activate on skin contact)
  4. ✅ Enable Bluetooth on iPhone (Settings → Bluetooth)
  5. ✅ Tap “Tap to Reconnect” banner in app
  6. ✅ Get close (within 10 feet initially)
  7. ✅ Replace battery if old
  8. ✅ Restart iPhone if necessary

Still not working?

Connection keeps dropping. Why?

Common causes:

Apple Watch data is delayed. Normal?

Yes, this is expected. HealthKit updates are controlled by Apple Watch and may have 5-30 second delays depending on:

For real-time monitoring, use Bluetooth mode with a chest strap.

Battery & Performance

Does it drain battery?

Yes, continuous monitoring uses battery. This is normal for any heart rate app.

Typical drain:

To reduce battery usage:

Can I use it all day?

Technically yes, but it will drain your iPhone battery significantly. HeartSafeAlerts is designed for:

Future Apple Watch app (roadmap) will enable all-day monitoring without draining iPhone battery.

Care Circle (Future Premium)

What is Care Circle?

Care Circle (launching Q2 2025) is an optional premium feature that adds family notifications:

Think “Life360 for heart health.”

How much will Care Circle cost?

$2.99/month or $19.99/year

All current free features remain free. You only pay if you want the family notification layer.

When is it launching?

Q2 2025 (April-June timeframe). We’re building it carefully to ensure privacy, reliability, and a great user experience.

Will I have to pay for current features?

No. Everything in Version 2.0 stays free forever. Care Circle is an optional add-on for those who want family connectivity.

Can I sign up for Care Circle early access?

Not yet. We’ll announce beta testing opportunities on GitHub and via email list (coming soon).

Want to be notified? Watch our GitHub repo or email bits@brownster.com to join the waitlist.

Technical Questions

What iOS version do I need?

iOS 18.4 or later

Why? HeartSafeAlerts uses modern Swift 6 features and the latest HealthKit APIs for reliability and security.

Does it work on iPad?

The app is iPhone-only currently. iPad support may be added in the future if there’s demand.

Does it work on older iPhones?

iPhone 8 or newer is recommended. Older models may experience:

What programming language is it written in?

Swift 6 with SwiftUI for the interface. We use:

It’s open source! See the code: https://github.com/brownsterbits/HeartSafeAlerts

Comparison Questions

How is this different from Apple Watch alerts?

Apple Watch has basic alerts for high/low heart rate, but:

HeartSafeAlerts adds:

Use both! Apple Watch alerts are a good backup. HeartSafeAlerts adds flexibility and features.

How is this different from Cardiogram/HeartWatch/other apps?

HeartSafeAlerts is unique:

  1. Completely free (no feature locks, no time limits)
  2. Supports both Bluetooth monitors AND Apple Watch (others are Apple Watch only)
  3. Privacy-first (no cloud storage, no analytics)
  4. Open source (inspect the code)
  5. Simple focus (real-time monitoring and alerts, not a fitness dashboard)

Other apps are great for:

HeartSafeAlerts is best for:

Troubleshooting

App crashed. What do I do?

  1. Force quit the app (swipe up from app switcher)
  2. Restart the app
  3. If it crashes again, restart your iPhone
  4. Update to latest iOS version
  5. Reinstall the app if necessary

Still crashing? Report a bug on GitHub with:

Session statistics aren’t updating

Check:

Session stats only update when actively receiving heart rate data.

Dark mode doesn’t work

HeartSafeAlerts follows your iOS system setting:

There’s no in-app toggle (this follows Apple’s design guidelines).

Feature Requests & Feedback

Can you add [feature]?

Maybe! We prioritize based on:

Submit feature requests on GitHub

Popular requests we’re considering:

How can I contribute?

Ways to help:

  1. Report bugs: https://github.com/brownsterbits/HeartSafeAlerts/issues
  2. Request features: Tell us what you need
  3. Write code: Submit pull requests (open source!)
  4. Spread the word: Share with friends who need heart monitoring
  5. Leave a review: App Store reviews help others discover the app

Can I donate or support the project?

Currently, no. The app is free and will remain free.

When Care Circle launches, subscribing will support continued development.

Other ways to support:

Contact & Support

How do I get help?

For technical support:

Response time: 24-72 hours

Where can I report bugs?

GitHub Issues: https://github.com/brownsterbits/HeartSafeAlerts/issues

Please include:

How can I contact the developer?

Email: bits@brownster.com GitHub: @brownsterbits

Response time: Usually 48 hours, up to 72 hours for complex issues.

Emergency Disclaimer

⚠️ IMPORTANT: HeartSafeAlerts is NOT for emergencies.

If you experience:

CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY (911 in US)

Do not wait for app alerts. This is not a medical device. Always seek professional medical help for health emergencies.

Still Have Questions?

Didn’t find your answer?

📧 Email us: bits@brownster.com 🐛 GitHub Issues: https://github.com/brownsterbits/HeartSafeAlerts/issues 📖 Getting Started: HELP.md 🛠️ Support: SUPPORT.md

We’re here to help!

HeartSafeAlerts Developed by Chad Brown Open Source: https://github.com/brownsterbits/HeartSafeAlerts Contact: bits@brownster.com

Making heart rate monitoring accessible to everyone.

Last Updated: January 16, 2025