how to guides

  • Pick a Convenient Time:

    • Set check-in times that work well for both you and your Hugger. Make sure it’s a time when you're both available to respond.

    Avoid Too Many Check-ins:

    • Don’t overload yourself or your Hugger with too many check-ins during the day. Too many alerts can become a burden.

     Adjust Nudge Interval to Your Habits:

    Set how often you’ll see the notification based on your phone habits:

    o   If you check your phone often, use a shorter reminder time.

    o   If you don’t check your phone frequently, give yourself more time between reminders so you don’t miss them.


  • Hugger is your emergency contact; is the person who provides support and receives your help requests.
    Choosing the right HUGGER is a crucial decision! Your HUGGER will be your support system and lifeline in times of need. Consider the following:

    Family & Friends:
    - Family member (parent, sibling, spouse)
    - Close friend
    - Neighbour or colleague (someone you trust and feel comfortable reaching out to)

    Professionals or Volunteers:
    - Community leader (religious leader, community organiser)
    - Support group member (someone who understands your specific challenges)
    - Mental health professional (therapist, counsellor)
    - Coach or mentor (life coach, career coach, wellness coach)
    - Spiritual advisor (someone who provides guidance and support from a spiritual perspective)
    - Advocate (someone who supports and advocates for you in a specific area, like disability or healthcare)

    When selecting a HUGGER, consider someone who has some of these qualities:
    - Cares about your well-being
    - Is willing to listen and support you
    - Is available 24/7
    - Is trustworthy and empathetic
    - Can provide emotional support and connect you with resources
    - Is available to help
    - Is reliable and responsible
    - Has excellent communication skills
    - Has specialised skills or knowledge (e.g., medical expertise)



  • A HUGSTER is someone who needs a support system. It's the person who receives help and support from their chosen HUGGER (the person they've designated to be there for them in times of need).

    As HUGSTER you have some responsibility as well.

    First of all choose Your HUGGER Wisely.
    Select someone who is willing and able to support you without feeling burdened or overwhelmed.

    Do not just vanish; keep them informed if you're going through a tough time.
    Be clear and specific about your needs.
    Share your plans and changes to your routine, such as:
    - Traveling or changing your daily schedule
    - Trying new activities or taking on new responsibilities
    - Experiencing changes in your mental or physical health

    While they look after you, it’s important to maintain mutual respect and consideration.

    Here are some key responsibilities to keep in mind:

    1. Respect Their Time: Be mindful of your Hugger’s availability and respect their time. Only trigger an alert or request support when it’s truly needed.

    2. Honesty: Be truthful about your needs and situations. This helps your Hugger provide the best possible support and ensures that the system is used effectively.

    3. Boundaries: Understand and respect the boundaries of your Hugger. Avoid unnecessary or excessive contact outside of check-ins or emergencies.

    4. Appreciation: Show gratitude for the support you receive. A simple thank you can go a long way in maintaining a positive and supportive relationship.

    5. Do Not Take Advantage: Use the HUG system responsibly. Don’t misuse the app for trivial matters, as this can strain your relationship with your Hugger and undermine trust.

    By following these guidelines, you help create a respectful and supportive environment, ensuring that both you and your Hugger have a positive experience.

    Remember, HUG is about mutual care and understanding, creating a network where everyone feels valued and secure.


  • Notifications are the essential spark that brings the HUG system to life.
    Without them, the magic of HUG's support and safety features cannot be unleashed. Notifications enable the timely exchange of information, support, and alerts, making them the backbone of the HUG system.

    However, we understand that not everyone likes notifications. In that case, you can still receive HUG notifications while keeping others turned off - learn how in our step-by-step guide!

    Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up an iPhone to receive notifications from only one app (HUG) even if notifications are turned off:

    Step 1: Turn off notifications for all apps
    Go to Settings
    Tap on Notifications
    Toggle off "Allow Notifications"

    Step 2: Allow notifications for HUG only
    Go back to the Settings app
    Scroll down and tap on "HUG"
    Tap on "Notifications"
    Toggle on "Allow Notifications"

    Step 3: Customize notification settings for HUG
    Tap on "Alerts"
    Choose how you want to receive notifications (e.g., banners, alerts, or none)
    Tap on "Sounds" and choose a notification sound (if desired)

    Step 4: Enable "Notification Summary"
    Go back to the Settings app
    Tap on Notifications
    Scroll down and tap on "Notification Summary"
    Toggle on "Notification Summary"
    Choose a schedule for the summary (e.g., every hour, every 2 hours, etc.)


  • Set up HUG mode on your iPhone to prioritise your support and well-being! This special setting allows only important messages and calls from your HUGGER to reach you, even when your phone is on silent or do-not-disturb mode.
    Focus mode it's perfect for:
    - Minimising distractions and notifications
    - Silencing your phone at night, while still being reachable by your HUGGER
    - Safety and emergency situations
    - Staying connected and supported
    By enabling HUG mode, you're creating a dedicated channel for your HUGGER's messages, ensuring you stay connected and supported when it matters most!"

    Step 1: Create a new Focus mode
    Go to Settings
    Tap on Focus
    Tap on "+ Create a Focus"
    Name it "HUG" (or a name of your choice)

    Step 2: Customize the HUG Focus mode
    Tap on "HUG" to edit the settings
    Under "Allowed Notifications", tap on "Apps"
    Search for "HUG" and toggle it on
    Under "Allowed Calls", select "Everyone" or specific contacts you want to allow calls from

    Step 3: Schedule the HUG Focus mode
    Tap on "Schedule"
    Set the start and end times for the HUG mode (e.g., 10 PM to 7 AM)
    Tap "Done"

    Step 4: Enable the HUG Focus mode
    Go back to the Focus settings
    Toggle on the "HUG" mode

    During the scheduled time, only notifications from the HUG app and calls from allowed contacts will come through. All other notifications will be silenced.
    Note: Make sure to also set your iPhone to "Do Not Disturb" mode during this time to silence other notifications and alerts.

  • Prioritize your well-being by ensuring only important messages and calls from your Hugger reach you, even when your phone is on silent or Do Not Disturb mode.
    Follow these steps to set up Focus Mode for Hug:

    Option 1: Using the Hug App's Built-in Settings

    1. Open the Hug App and navigate to the Settings section.

    2. Find the Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb option and tap it.

    3. Set the time periods for when you want Focus Mode to be active (e.g., during work, study, or sleep hours).

    4. Customize your settings:
    - Allow notifications from specific contacts (e.g., your Hugger) or apps.
    - Set exceptions for emergency alerts or important events.
    - Choose the types of notifications to silence (e.g., calls, messages).

    5. Save your changes to activate Focus Mode.




    Option 2: Using Android’s Built-in Digital Wellbeing Features

    1. Open your Android Settings app.

    2. Scroll down and select Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls or Screen Time.

    3. Tap Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb.

    4. Add the Hug app to the list of apps that you want to prioritize. You can allow notifications from the Hug app while silencing others.

    5. Activate Focus Mode to ensure only important notifications get through.

    This will help you stay connected to your Hugger while maintaining focus on tasks or rest without distractions!

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