Frequently Asked Questions

SMART THREADS is an iPhone app plus NFC bands and Smart Pods. You build a profile in the app and link it to a band or Pod. When someone taps it with a phone, they see the profile items you chose to share. Available on iPhone now. Android coming soon.

Each band or Pod has a small NFC chip with no battery. The chip holds only a link to your profile. When a phone taps it, your profile opens in the phone's browser. Nothing needs to be installed on the phone that taps.

Download the SMART THREADS app from the App Store (iPhone; Android coming soon), create a profile, then connect your band in the app. Setup takes just a few steps.

Yes. You use the app to build and manage the profile. The app is available on iPhone now: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smart-threads-app/id6809626613. Android coming soon.

Available on iPhone now. Download it from the App Store at the link above. Android coming soon.

No. Most modern phones can read a band or Pod with a tap, and the profile opens in the phone's browser.

Only what you chose to show. Each item in your profile is a toggle, and you decide what is on or off. Anyone who taps can see the items that are on, so choose what you are comfortable with a stranger seeing.

Yes. You can edit your profile in the app any time.

Yes. They can use the call buttons you chose to show. If they choose, they can also share their phone's location, a photo or a message with you.

When notifications are on, the app sends a push notification to your phone, for example a parent's or caregiver's phone. Notifications depend on the phone, the network and your app settings, and they may be delayed or not delivered. Please do not rely on them as your only way to keep someone safe.

No. A band works by a tap, has no battery, and does not track location. If someone taps your band, their phone may ask if they want to share their location with you. Location is shared only if they choose to.

Only the location of a person who taps your band and then chooses to share it. It comes from their phone at that moment and may be approximate. The band itself cannot tell anyone where it is.

Anyone who taps your band or Pod can see the profile items you turned on. Items you leave off stay private to you in the app. Health or medical details are optional, are entered by you, and are not checked by SMART THREADS.

No. SMART THREADS helps you share information you choose to share. It does not give medical advice and does not check medical information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Our Privacy Policy explains what we collect, who handles it for us, and how to delete your account. We do not use health, children's or location information for advertising.

Yes. A parent or guardian creates and controls a child's profile through the parent's own adult account. Children do not create accounts, sign in, or send information to us.

You do. A parent or guardian can review, edit, hide or delete anything on a child's profile in the app at any time, or contact us to ask about it. See the Children's privacy section of our Privacy Policy.

Only the items the parent turned on. You decide.

A SMART POD is a patent pending iron-on NFC tag for clothing, about 1.5 inches across. It has no battery, and a heat-shield application sticker is included.

Follow the instructions included in the pack.

A wristband with an NFC tap tag. Classic bands have no battery and are about 9.5 inches long. Kids bands have a tap tag labeled "TAP YOUR PHONE HERE."

A band is worn on the wrist. A Pod is applied to clothing with heat. Both work the same way: tap with a phone to open your profile.

Make sure the phone's NFC is on and hold the top edge of the phone against the band. If it still won't scan, contact us.

The app has three plans: Starter, Plus and Unlimited. They differ in how many profiles you can have. Each plan is billed monthly and starts with a 7-day free trial. Current plan details are shown in the App Store before you buy.

You can create one free card. Some features, such as the Medical profile, need a plan.

Each plan starts with a 7-day free trial. After the trial it is billed monthly unless you cancel. To avoid a charge, cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends.

Subscriptions are bought and billed through Apple in-app purchase, so you manage them in your Apple account's subscription settings. Deleting the app or your SMART THREADS account does not cancel a subscription. Android coming soon.

No. Buying a band or Pod from the store does not start a subscription. Plans are separate and are bought in the app.

Apple handles refunds for app subscriptions, so request one from Apple.

Orders are processed within 1 to 3 business days after payment is confirmed. We offer standard shipping only, and we ship only to addresses in the United States. See our Shipping Policy for more.

You may ask to return an item within 30 days of delivery. If an item arrives damaged, defective or incorrect, contact us within 48 hours of delivery. Approved refunds usually go back to the original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after we receive and inspect the return. The $10.00 shipping charge on the free SMART BAND Classic offer is non-refundable. See our Refund Policy for details.

Visit our Contact page and choose "Band or order question."

Use the form on our Contact Us page. It goes to support@smartthreadsusa.com. You can also email support@smartthreadsusa.com or call (941) 909-3968.

You can delete your account in the app. You can also ask for deletion without the app on our Delete Your Account page.