User Technical Support Manual

This document helps users understand and troubleshoot common issues using SOS Radar. SOS Radar is a short-range SOS detection and assisted location tool, and does not replace official emergency calls, professional rescue, or medical first aid.

1. Basic Requirements

Before using SOS Radar, please ensure:

• Your device is an iPhone or iPad that supports Bluetooth, location services, and local network capabilities.

• Your iOS system version meets the application requirements.

• Bluetooth is enabled.

• Location permissions are granted. Normal searches and SOS use foreground location; background searches require you to actively enable and then grant “Always Allow Locations”.

• Local network permissions are granted.

• Your device has sufficient battery power.

• Keep the application running in the foreground as much as possible in SOS mode.

2. Permission Settings

Please check the following in iOS Settings:

1. Open Settings.

2. Find SOS Radar.

3. Allow Location permission.

4. Allow Bluetooth permission.

5. Allow Local Network permission.

6. To use the Home screen’s Background Search feature, turn on the switch and allow “Always Allow Location” and notification permissions in the system pop-up.

7. To hear a warning sound, ensure the system volume is not 0 and that no inaudible audio output device is connected.

If permissions are denied, the app may not be able to discover the device, sync GPS, or play a warning sound.

3. Mode Description

Home Screen

The Home screen is used to enter Search or SOS mode and provides the Background Search switch.

Background Search is off by default. When enabled, the app will request “Always Allow Location” and notification permissions to alert you to start a search via SOS iBeacon area monitoring when the app is not in the foreground. When closed, the app will stop related background iBeacon area monitoring and undisplayed background search notifications.

Background search is not continuous background GPS tracking, nor is it guaranteed to wake up every time. It relies on iOS’s iBeacon area monitoring, location permissions, Bluetooth, notification permissions, and system background policies.

Search Mode

Searchers use this mode to scan for nearby SOS devices. The search list and radar will display:

• Beacon name and identifier.

• Approximate distance.

• Relative direction.

• GPS availability.

• Map button.

• Warning tone button.

The Map button opens Apple Maps, displaying the SOS target location and the system’s current location. Currently, the implementation does not automatically plan walking routes.

The warning tone button is only enabled after an available connection is established with the target SOS device.

SOS Mode

SOS callers use this mode to broadcast an SOS signal. Upon entering SOS mode:

• The app requests location once and caches GPS.

• If a searcher connects, the app will sync the latest GPS snapshot with them.

• When a searcher is connected, the app will periodically update the GPS cache and sync.

• When no searcher is connected, location updates will be reduced to save battery power.

• The screen remains always on by default to improve the reliability of foreground broadcasts and audio alerts.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

SOS Not Found on Search App

Please check:

• Are Bluetooth enabled on both devices?

• Has the SOS app entered the SOS page?

• Has the search app entered the search page?

• Are the two devices too far apart or obstructed by walls, people, or metal objects?

• Has the iOS app prompted for Bluetooth or local network permissions, and has the user granted them?

• Have you tested with the same app version and the same Beacon configuration?

No Notifications for Background Search

Please check:

• Is the “Background Search” switch on the home screen enabled?

• Have “Always Allow Location” and notification permissions been granted?

• Has the Search app been opened at least once to register for iBeacon area monitoring?

• Is the SOS app initiating an SOS in the foreground and keeping Bluetooth available?

• Has the Search app simply been moved to the background instead of being manually forced to close from the multitasking interface?

• Has location services, Bluetooth, notifications, or background refresh been turned off on the Search app?

• Has the device just restarted and not yet unlocked?

iOS may not relaunch an app in the background after a user manually forces it to close. Background search is used to improve the chances of passive discovery and cannot replace foreground search, phone calls, SMS, or official assistance channels.

Inaccurate Radar Direction

Possible Causes:

• Insufficient GPS accuracy.

• Magnetic interference with the device’s compass.

• The searcher is moving quickly or frequently rotating the device.

• Old location cache in the SOS or Search app.

• Location drift caused by indoor, underground, canyon, or high-rise environments.

Recommendations:

• Test in an open environment.

• Keep the phone stable.

• Wait a few seconds for the GPS and orientation sensors to stabilize.

• Confirm using a combination of sound, visual, and other communication methods.

GPS Unavailable

Please check:

• Location permissions are allowed.

• Are you in an indoor environment or in an environment with poor GPS signal?

• Is the device in low power mode?

• Has the SOS device entered the SOS page and completed the initial location?

• Has a usable connection been established between the search device and the SOS device?

After entering SOS, the SOS device will first locate and cache the GPS. After connecting with the searcher, it will synchronize the cached GPS to the search device.

Warning Tone Button Not Clickable

The warning tone button requires a usable MultipeerConnectivity connection to be established between the target SOS device and the search device. Simply discovering a Beacon does not guarantee that control messages can be sent.

Please check:

• Are both the SOS device and the search device in the foreground?

• Is local network permission allowed?

• Are the two devices too far apart?

• Did switching to the background cause the connection interruption?

• Is the target in the search list still online?

No warning sound played on the SOS device

Please check:

• Is the SOS device volume 0?

• Is the device muted or connected to Bluetooth headphones, car audio, or other outputs?

• Does the yellow warning bar on the SOS page indicate abnormal volume?

• Is the search button clickable?

• Are the two devices still connected?

No route in the map

This is the current design. The search map button only opens the system map to view the target location and the current system location; it does not automatically plan a route. Users can manually select the navigation method in Apple Maps.

”My Location” style cannot be changed to an arrow in the map

The “My Location” style in system Apple Maps is controlled by Apple Maps. When third-party applications navigate to the system map via MKMapItem.openMaps, the current location marker style cannot be forcibly changed, nor can the orientation follow mode be forcibly enabled.

5. Battery Recommendations

SOS mode requires Bluetooth, location services, orientation sensors, and a constantly lit screen, which may increase power consumption. Recommendations:

• Ensure sufficient battery power before using SOS.

• Keep the SOS page running in the foreground.

• Exit SOS mode promptly when it is no longer needed.

• Return to the homepage when the search is not continuously scanning.

• Turn off the “Background Search” switch on the homepage when background searching is not needed to reduce background area monitoring and permission usage.

• Use a power bank in real emergency scenarios.

6. On-site Safety Recommendations

• Do not rely solely on this application for rescue.

• In emergencies, prioritize contacting local official rescue channels.

• Search personnel should operate in groups and be aware of terrain, weather, and communication conditions.

• SOS personnel should stay in safe, open, and easily visible locations.

• If you can call for help via phone, SMS, satellite communication, or other means, use these simultaneously.

7. Feedback and Support

When reporting issues, please provide the following information:

• Device model.

• iOS version.

• App version.

• Current mode: Search or SOS.

• Location, Bluetooth, local network, and notification permissions are enabled.

• Background search is enabled on the home screen.

• Location and environment where the problem occurs: Indoor, outdoor, underground, high-rise building, mountainous area, etc.

• Can the problem be reproduced reliably?

• Screenshots or screen recordings.

Contact Information:

• Technical support email: messkody@gmail.com