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According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, every year many thousands of people in the UK are the victims of street crime involving violent attacks, sexual assaults and robberies. With such frightening statistics, it’s no wonder that personal safety apps (particularly amongst women) are being downloaded at ever growing rates.

While carrying a smartphone could provide a vital lifeline to help if you’re attacked, that’s only if it’s working.

Having insurance for mobile phones will protect your phone against breakdown, damages, theft and even loss – making sure it’s always there in an emergency when you need it most.

 

Best personal safety apps

While personal safety apps are not a solution to the problem of violent crime, they do offer a certain amount of reassurance for users as they go about their daily lives. Make sure while out in your daily lives that you pay attention to the dangers of looking at your phone whilst you're walking. But which ones are worth downloading today? Let’s take a look.

 

bSafe (available on iOS and Android)

One of the most popular and comprehensive personal safety apps, bSafe has a range of safety features for users. These can all be activated through touch or voice command.

It has an SOS button that will not only call for help but also record audio and video of your surroundings.

Your contacts can even see and hear everything happening in real-time via live streaming if you hit SOS.

The app also shares your location with friends and lets them use GPS to track your journey. Finally, there’s a useful Fake Call feature that gets your phone to call you.

The perfect way to get you out of a potentially threatening or unpleasant situation.

Hollie Guard (available on iOS and Android)

The Hollie Guard app was created in the aftermath of the tragic 2014 murder of Gloucester hairdresser Hollie Gazzard by her ex-partner.

The idea is that if you feel in danger, with a simple shake or tap it activates and alerts your emergency contacts. They’ll receive your pinpoint GPS location and any audio or video direct to their mobile.

The app has two modes, Deterrent and Stealth. With Deterrent it’ll make it clear to anyone in the area that you’ve sent an alert. A second shake of the phone will generate a high-pitched alarm and a flashing light to attract help.

While Stealth mode gives the impression that no alarm has been triggered. Very useful where there’s an increased risk of harm if your assailant realises an alarm has been triggered.

The app is free, but it does have a £7.99 per month paid option, if you want your alerts to be picked up by a 24/7 emergency response team.

The app is recommended by police forces across the country for those experiencing domestic abuse and stalking.

There is also a paid option enabling businesses to safeguard vulnerable members of staff.

 

Walk Safe (available on iOS and Android)

Using police data, the Walk Safe personal safety app alerts users when they’re entering high crime zones.

By pinning locations of reported crime, such as violence and sexual assault, mugging and knife crime, users can redirect themselves to safer routes. The app refreshes maps twice a week so you should have a good idea of the latest safety concerns in the area.

As well as police reports the app also allows users to post live updates when they ‘feel unsafe’ in their local area.

Whether it’s a rowdy group of people or poor street lighting, the app is a great way to stay informed and stay safe.

The TapSafe feature allows users to tap the app every so often while they walk home. Loved ones are told when you open TapSafe, and if you stop tapping within a set amount of time.

There are two options you can choose from – 'OK', which requires you to check in every 30 seconds, and 'Nervous', which needs to be tapped every 10 seconds.

And if you fail to reach your destination on time, HomeSafe will notify your loved ones so they can check in on you.

Reminders can also be set up for emergency contacts to text or call you at a certain time to make sure you’re safe.

 

Red Panic Button (available on iOS and Android)

This one-click emergency app definitely does what it says on the tin! By simply pressing the red panic button on this app, it will instantly send your location and Google Maps link via email and SMS to your emergency contact.

If you’re a Twitter user then it can also access your account and send a ‘panic tweet’. This shares your location and lets your followers know you need help.

The Red Panic Button app is very versatile and designed to provide greater security to a whole range of people. From medical emergencies and lost children to taxi drivers and HGV drivers there are many situations where hitting the red panic button could bring help.

One Scream (available on iOS and Android)

While we always have our phones on us, in some situations we might not have time to take our phone out, tap an app or make a call.

The slickly designed One Scream app promises to get around this problem. The hands-free app is voice-activated and uses the latest artificial intelligence tech to listen out for a scream if you shout out in distress.

If the app detects a ‘panic scream’ it activates an alarm on your phone with a loud siren and phone vibrations. If you don’t cancel the alarm within 20 seconds it sends an automated phone call and SMS to your nominated contacts.

For Android users the app also creates an open line to your contact so they can hear what is happening. It even works from the bottom of your bag!

An important point to be aware of is that One Scream is only suitable for girls aged 14+ and women under 60.

The creators say that the app isn’t for everyone. This is because young girls, older people and men sound different when they scream. And the app may not detect a ‘panic scream’ from them.

This also means it shouldn’t go off if a baby is screaming near you or you are screaming with laughter when out with your friends!

Remember mobile phone insurance from Gadget Cover can be extended to your close family members, too.

 

Life360 (available on iOS and Android)

Personal safety is just one of the many uses for the very popular Life360 app. Described as a GPS phone locator and tracker, Life 360 was built to simplify staying connected with your close family members as well as friends.

The app allows you to create your own private ‘circles’ where you add trusted friends or family into specific groups.

Provided your phone’s location services are turned on, the app lets everyone view each other’s real-time locations on a map. It also sends alerts to group members when anyone arrives or leaves destinations.

Whether at home, work, school or any other location it’s the ideal way to keep everyone aware of your whereabouts.

There’s also a ‘Help Alert’ feature that tells those in the group that you’re feeling unsafe. This is a great app for users to stay connected without multiple ‘are you there?’ texts.

If you feel nervous being alone for whatever reason, the Life 360 can give you the confidence that there’ll always be someone to help in an emergency. You’re never alone with your smartphone and Life360! 

 

Kitestring

Kitestring isn’t in fact an app and you don’t even need a flashy smartphone to use it. Instead, it’s a simple-to-use, free text messaging service that requires minimal information to set up online. Indeed, users don't even need an email address to register.

If you decide to go out, simply text Kitestring how long you’ll be out for. When the time is up, Kitestring will check up on you with a simple text message. If you don’t reply then it will send your emergency contacts an alert to call you.

The service also lets you set up a ‘duress code’, a secret code which alerts Kitestring if you’re in trouble.

There are two options to choose from when using Kitestring. With the free plan you get three free trips per month and one emergency contact. With the paid plan, you get unlimited trips and emergency contacts.

You also get access to Perennial mode, which enables you to be checked up on every few minutes or hours.

Whether you’re meeting up for a first-time blind date or heading out for a lone motorcycle ride, Kitestring could be for you.

Personal safety features in phones

Apart from these specific personal safety apps and services, your clever little smartphone could also have some useful safety features worth exploring.

 

Android Find My Device

Google’s Find My Device feature comes pre-installed on most Android phones. If yours doesn’t then it’s easy to download from the Google Play Store.

This is a useful app for keeping a track on young or vulnerable family members as it shows you the whereabouts of their phone.

 

Family sharing and Find My

If you and your parents or partner both have iPhones then this pre-installed app from Apple is really useful.

It uses GPS to track your location and displays it on Apple Maps so they always know where you are. It is also an easy way to keep in track of where your family are.

 

Emergency SOS location tracking

Both Apple and Android smartphones and some smartwatches now allow you to send out your last known location to contacts in an emergency situation.

Setting up Emergency SOS on your iPhone is simple if you follow this Apple Support guide.

There are additional personal safety extras you can also turn on. Your iPhone will sound a short sharp siren alarm if the side lock button is pressed rapidly five times in a row.

The iPhone then counts down to calling the emergency services. To enable this feature, users should go into their Emergency SOS settings. There they can enable a Countdown Sound.

The Emergency SOS feature differs slightly for Android users depending on the phone manufacturer. While some smartwatches and fitness trackers also share this capability.

If you’re a mobile phone insurance policyholder with Gadget Cover then we will replace any accessories (up to £150) if they are lost, stolen or damaged at the same time as your phone.

Something well worth considering when choosing the right cover for your needs and budget.

 

Google Maps

The Google Maps app is used by so many of us on a daily basis, but we might not know of a handy personal safety feature.

The app lets you share your location with a friend or family member so they know where you are.

However, it is a big drain on battery life so is probably best used only occasionally for short periods. Say, when travelling home after a night out!

 

WhatsApp

Another ever-useful app that could help keep you safe is WhatsApp live location sharing.

This feature lets you share your current location with your contacts, even without the app being open on your phone. This can be for a duration ranging from 15 minutes to eight hours.

Simply open an individual or group chat, hit the Attach symbol, select Location and then Share Live Location. Select the length of time you’d like to share your live location and then tap Send.

 

What3words

Being able to tell emergency services exactly where you are could make the difference between life and death in some circumstances.

This app splits the whole world into a grid and gives every 3x3-metre square a unique three-word address. An essential app that everyone should have downloaded just in case.

Mobile phone insurance from Gadget Cover

Modern life can be dangerous, but rest assured Gadget Cover’s team of insurance specialists will always find you the best mobile phone insurance policy to suit your needs and budget.

 Policies can include protection from accidental damage, liquid damage, theft, breakdown and unauthorised usage. For an extra premium, mobile phone loss can also be covered.

We can also extend cover to your immediate family and to include use of your phone anywhere in the world.

Get a quick quote for mobile phone insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.