Checking in
How to check in during an active trip and reset the Check-in Timer from the Start tab.
Checking in while on trail keeps the Check-in Timer from firing an overdue alert. Return-by monitoring still watches your promised return date and time separately. Check-in lives on the Start tab — open the Start tab while your trip is active and tap Check in now.
The Trip Planner remains your itinerary editor while a trip is active, but it no longer has day-level check-in buttons. Checked-in days are read-only in the Planner (day name, waypoints, and start point). GPS breadcrumbs appear on the Start tab timeline and on your shared trip page.
Checking in on the Start tab
Check-in is disabled while an overdue SOS alert is active. If you see an emergency banner, resolve the alert before checking in.
When you finish each day's stage and have enough signal to sync:
- Open the Start tab (your active trip card)
- Tap Check in now on the current day row
The Check-in Timer resets once Trailkeep confirms on the server. A new deadline is set: confirmation time + your configured timeout window (24h or 36h). Offline, the button shows Not confirmed yet until sync — see Offline and mobile.
You do not need to complete days in strict order, and you do not need to complete a day every calendar day — you need to complete a day within your timeout window. If you are taking a rest day, checking in on that day still counts.
Checking in without cell signal (text / satellite SMS)
No data? Check in by text (cell or satellite) sits below Check in now on the Start tab for the current uncompleted day. Use it when you have no data connection.
How it works
- Tap Check in by text — the app briefly captures your GPS coordinates (up to ~2 seconds).
- Your native Messages app opens with a pre-filled message:
OK TK-[token] [lat],[lon]— or justOK TK-[token]if GPS was unavailable. - Send the message. Your phone handles cell or satellite transport.
- Confirm on the Start tab. When you return, the Daily progress row for today asks Did your check-in text send? Tap Yes, it sent only if the message left Messages. The Check-in Timer extends locally by your configured window (24h or 36h) only after you confirm — so the overdue banner does not fire while the message is in transit.
- Advance to the next day. After Yes, it sent, today's row shows Text sent · pending on device with Reset, and the next day becomes current — you can check in for Day N+1 while Day N waits for server confirmation.
- Server confirmation — Trailkeep processes the SMS on the server (day complete, timer reset). You do not need to wait for a reply text from Trailkeep — your phone shows whether the message sent or failed. After Yes, it sent, continue your trip; the in-app Text sent · pending on device row clears when you regain data and the app syncs. A confirmation text back from Trailkeep is planned for a future update.
See Satellite SMS check-in (iPhone) or Android for setup steps (save +1 833 676 0717 before you go).
Summary
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Check in now (Start tab, online) | Resets the Check-in Timer to a full window from server confirmation |
| Check in now (offline) | Saved on device — Not confirmed yet until sync; contacts not updated |
| Check in by text | Resets the Check-in Timer on server confirmation; row panel shows local grace after you tap Yes, it sent |
| Extend timer (+2h in Check-in Timer popover) | Pushes the deadline forward by 2 hours (requires signal) |
| Adjust return (Start tab) | Updates return-by monitoring deadline (requires signal) |
For the full active-trip card layout, see Active trip on Start.