Q: Do I need a smartphone?
A: Yes and No. For the full STOPIt Notify experience - allowing you to view all shared content and also to post content - a smartphone is required. However, as long as you have an account in your organization, you will be able to receive an email and SMS when the emergency is declared, when a responder sends a mass update, and when the emergency is resolved.
Q: What devices are supported by STOPIt Notify?
A: We have mobile apps for Apple iOS devices (iPad/iPhone), Google Android devices, Chromebooks, and desktop applications for Windows and Mac.
Q: If my mobile phone has no service, will the STOPit Notify work?
A: The STOPit Notify mobile app relies on a data connection (WiFi and/or cellular) in order to communicate with your organization. So no service means no communication; however, we do support an offline mode which will cache the emergency request and any content shared. The offline mode will check the connection every 30 seconds until it can communicate. Once a connection is re-established, the emergency request, as well as any content, will be immediately uploaded for you to view.
Q: What settings are needed for the STOPit Notify mobile app to function effectively?
A: In order to use all the features and functions of STOPit Notify effectively, there are certain settings on your mobile device that must be set or updated. Due to the many types of mobile devices, manufacturers, and carriers, you will need to look at their instructions or at online sites to determine how to set or upgrade the following: 1) device operating system must be the latest version supported by your mobile device, 2) indicate Allow/OK for all requests (push notifications, location tracking, camera, etc.) made by PunchAlert when you initially log in to the app. These items will only be accessed during an emergency and will allow you to post photos, videos, recordings, etc.
Q: I’m using an Android phone and my sounds are wrong during emergencies. What do I do?
A:
Ensure all the notification category is set to “App Provided sound“.
If you're unable to see the “App Provided sound“ in the notification categories on your Samsung S22, it might be due to the app not properly registering the custom sound with the Android system. Here are some steps you can take to try to resolve this issue:
Check the App's Internal SettingsOpen the app whose notifications you want to customize.
Navigate to the app's settings. Look for a section related to notifications or sounds.
Check if the app allows you to select a custom notification sound within its own settings. Some apps provide an option to set custom sounds directly.
Ensure the App is Updated
Open the Google Play Store.
Search for the app and check if there is an update available.
Update the app to the latest version. Sometimes, new updates include better support for custom sounds.
Reinstall the App
Uninstall the app from your Samsung S22.
Reinstall the app from the Google Play Store.
Check the notification settings again to see if the app-provided sound appears.
Q: What is the latest version of Android operating system supported for STOPIt Notify
A: Android version 11 or higher.
Q: What is the latest version of Apple IOS version supported by STOPit Notify
A: We always go back at least 1 major version, so currently that means IOS16+. Once IOS18 comes out we will only support 17+.
Q: My Apple Watch is taking over the Critical Alert noise from my iPhone so I don’t hear the noise. What do I do?
A: In that scenario, the critical alert sound will not play on your iPhone because it gets overwritten and instead vibrates on your Apple Watch. If you want to change that and make the iPhone play the Critical Alert sound, there is a simple fix. Just go to the Watch app on your iPhone, press Notifications, and toggle STOPit Alert to OFF.
Q: What versions of Chrome OS do you support on Chromebooks?
A: Our chromebook app is essentially an Android app so it really just depends on what versions of Android your Chromebook supports. Our app, optimized for chromebook, will work as long as your chromebook can support Android 8 and above. For optimal functionality, it should support Android 11.