Need help getting started? Explore our FAQs for answers to common setup questions, or contact our support team for personalised assistance.
The REALRIDER® app is available on both iOS and Android platforms:
Yes. For full functionality, ensure the following permissions are enabled:
The App Certification Scheme was established by British APCO on behalf of the 999 Liaison Committee, part of the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. This scheme sets the official standard for any app designed to interface directly with Emergency Services 999 control centers via BT Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).
Recognised internationally, this certification ensures that only approved apps can connect directly to emergency services.
In 2016, REALRIDER® became the first motorcycle app to achieve this certification, having successfully met all integration, testing, and compliance requirements. This allows it to automatically transmit emergency SOS data to the UK Emergency 999 Service. To maintain this status, REALRIDER SOS® undergoes annual re-certification.
Due to its proven regulatory performance and exceptionally low false activation rate, REALRIDER SOS® has expanded its emergency response coverage. It now delivers SOS data not only within the UK but also to Ambulance Services, Emergency Responders, and PSAPs across:
Today, REALRIDER® remains the only motorcycle app officially authorised to connect directly with Emergency Services.
You can delete your account either via the settings page or by contacting [email protected]
No. REALRIDER® is not a performance-based app. The app uses GPS to track your routes, operates the auto-pause system and provides your precise location following a crash. REALRIDER SOS® is triggered when sensors detect an impact. None of the information is recorded. There is also no record of your speed or any other telemetry data.
No. REALRIDER® automatically sends your location, direction of travel, bike, medical and contact details directly to the nearest Ambulance Service or Emergency. Responder. No other third party can access this data.
No. This is to avoid causing undue distress to loved ones who are not on the scene and therefore cannot be sure of the situation. It also prevents multiple, and sometimes conflicting calls to the emergency services from worried well-wishers, which can put the service under pressure from dealing with multiple sources of limited information.
REALRIDER SOS® crash detection software was developed in conjunction with emergency service and control room specialists from the NHS – this ensures trained professionals manage the alert and welfare of the rider directly.
Only the friends you add within the app can see the routes you upload.
REALRIDER® includes a suite of rider-centric features that are free-to-use and do not require a subscription. REALRIDER SOS® is a premium function and is subject to a monthly or annual subscription fee.
A one month free trial is available for new customers who pay in-app via Apple or Google Play. You can up to save 25% when you pay via the REALRIDER® website for an annual subscription. Either subscription method protects riders travelling within the territories covered by the service.
You can subscribe to Premium through the REALRIDER app or via the website.
In-App Subscription (£3.99/month, recurring):
Manage your subscription through Apple or Google Play:
Website Subscription (£36/year, recurring)
If you wish to cancel your monthly subscription to REALRIDER SOS®, you need to do this via Apple or Google – normally via your subscription settings. To cancel an annual subscription, you need to do so via Stripe. See your REALRIDER® subscription receipt for details.
If you cancel your subscription, REALRIDER SOS® will be deactivated at the end of your billing period. No refunds will be made for subscriptions already paid.
You can run REALRIDER SOS® on its own, while your phone is locked or use other navigation apps without issue.
REALRIDER SOS® is designed to protect you while you record your ride, if you need protecting while commuting or when you’re delivering urgent blood.
You need a valid subscription to turn on REALRIDER SOS®. To check, go to Profile, click settings and open REALRIDER Subscription. You can subscribe from here or check how many days you have left.
If you subscribed via the app, try selecting restore in-app purchases in Settings.
If you’ve changed phones or re-installed the app, you will need to set up your emergency info again as it’s stored on the phone and not on any servers. Try toggling SOS on to go through the emergency info set up process.
If you still can’t turn SOS on, get in touch with customer services.
The crash detection system is sensitive to sudden impacts but sophisticated enough to know if you are still moving afterwards.
The app was originally designed to be carried by the rider. This helps paramedics find riders who have had thrown from their bikes. The body also helps smooth out vibrations from the bike or road thus preventing triggering from pot holes or heavy braking.
With the growth in app-based navigation services, more and more phones are being mounted to bikes. This has the potential to cause the app to trigger. If it does, the app will continue to monitor movement and in most cases automatically resets. You can manually cancel the alert via the app.
Tap the Record Ride button and away you go. When you reach your destination at the end of your ride, simply hit the End Ride button then add your title, description, images and any relevant tags – is it a scenic, fast, or a coastal route. Once saved, your routes appear in the Routes tab.
When you download the REALRIDER® app you will be invited to subscribe to the crash detection service. On subscribing you will be asked to add your bike and medical details to activate the service.
Monitoring key sensors in your smartphone, REALRIDER SOS® looks for changes that occur during a crash, such as a sudden impact, rapid deceleration and/or tumbling motion followed by a period of no movement. If a crash is detected, an alert is triggered and sent to the emergency services based on your GPS location.
Should you be involved in a crash, REALRIDER SOS® will activate and generate a ‘crash detected’ alarm on your phone. It automatically monitors key sensors in your smartphone to validate a crash has occurred, detect movement and to confirm if the system needs to stand down or send your emergency SOS data to the emergency services. If you are OK, you can deactivate the ‘crash detected’ alert manually by pressing the I’m OK on the screen.
If the alert remains untouched and you continue not to move, the phone will automatically send your precise GPS location, time of crash, direction of travel, bike, contact and medical details to the emergency services. You will be called to see if you are OK.
Please note – we DO NOT record or send any speed related data.
Open the friends tab, click add friend and enter their phone number. They will receive an invitation to connect with you. You will receive a notification when they have accepted your request.
You need to have added some friends before you create a group. It’s really simple to set up. Just select a group name, invite friends and you ready to go. You can have as many groups as you want.
Tap the group ride icon from the ride page and activate the group you want to ride with.
All members of the group will receive a notification that you’ve started a ride. Once they join, the map will adjust in size based on their location so you always see where members of the group are.
Yes. After recording a ride, you can share it via social media or with friends directly from the app.
No, dropping your phone will not trigger REALRIDER SOS® if you are stationary.
REALRIDER SOS® features ‘Auto Pause’ technology, designed to reduce false alerts. By using satellite data, it ensures activation only when you’re moving above a specific speed threshold. This means the system automatically pauses during stops, such as for coffee or fuel, and seamlessly resumes once you start riding again.
If you crashed but REALRIDER SOS® didn’t alert the Ambulance Service, there are a few possible reasons.
REALRIDER SOS® follows a proven process to assess whether emergency assistance is needed after a crash. The system only sends your location, contact details, bike information, and medical data if NO movement is detected during phone monitoring and the countdown phase.
If you got up, moved around, or continued riding after the crash, the app would have automatically reset.
Additionally, for minor spills, the impact may not have been strong enough to trigger the system. This helps prevent false alerts caused by potholes, uneven surfaces, or bike vibrations.
REALRIDER® is designed to be carried by the rider because, in most crashes, about 90% of riders become separated from their bikes. Keeping your phone on you helps emergency responders locate you quickly and accurately. Additionally, your body naturally absorbs vibrations, reducing the risk of false alerts.
If you choose to mount your phone to your bike using a system like Peak Design or other brands, you can still use REALRIDER SOS®. However, we recommend adding vibration-dampening equipment to minimize false triggers.
If your phone detects a significant impact such as hitting a pothole or curb – the app may begin its crash detection process. It will monitor for movement or continued riding and should reset automatically. In some cases, you may need to manually cancel an alert by opening the app and selecting ‘I’m OK.’
Why can’t I turn on REALRIDER SOS®?
For REALRIDER SOS® to function correctly, you must enable smartphone permission’s such as Location, Motion & Fitness and Notifications. These are critical smartphone services that notify you that REALRIDER SOS® has detected a crash, for validating that a crash has taken place and to help minimise false activations.
If REALRIDER SOS® won’t turn but you have an active subscription, and you’ve completed the Emergency Details set up process, it means one or more of the phone permissions haven’t been granted.
From the iPhone’s Settings page, tap REALRIDER and it should be allow to access
Why hasn’t my route been recorded?
Routes not recording is usually caused by loss of GPS (e.g., riding through a tunnel) restricting power to the REALRIDER® app, not allowing REALRIDER® to ‘run in the background’ or not listing REALRIDER® as a protected app.
If any of the above are selected, you’ll normally see your location on the map before you lock your phone or after a ride when you re-open it. This is because the phone will restrict power or access to GPS by REALRIDER® when the phone is locked.
Battery Management
Software running most Android phones is now designed to limit the power used by apps and other services. This can also include preventing apps from continuing to operate when you lock your phone or when apps are ‘running in the background.’
If you do not prevent these restrictions or ensure REALRIDER is a protected app, it can affect how the app functions and you may not be protected by crash detection, or your route may not record.
Make sure the Adaptive Battery feature is not preventing REALRIDER® from running in the background:
Battery optimisation
Ensure you ignore battery optimisation for the REALRIDER® app
Allow background activity
Ensure you allow background activity for REALRIDER®
To keep REALRIDER® running in the background on a OnePlus phone, access the recent apps screen, locate the app you want to keep active, and then tap the “lock” icon which usually appears in the top right corner of the app preview; this will prevent the system from automatically closing REALRIDER® when the phone is locked. Failure to do this will result in you riding unprotected by REALRIDER SOS® or you route not recording.
Battery life depends on various factors like phone type, age, hardware, and software. Apps running in the background or using large amounts of data can drain power.
REALRIDER® is designed for route accuracy while minimizing battery use, but higher accuracy requires more GPS data, which consumes more power. Locking your phone helps, but on long rides, consider a power source.
In summer 2024, we tested battery performance across a 1,960-mile, four-day ride in Europe using REALRIDER SOS® and route recording combined. Most Android phones used 30–50% battery per 8-hour ride.
For maximum efficiency, run REALRIDER SOS® on its own with the phone locked. If in doubt, carry a 10,000mAh+ battery pack. If your phone dies, REALRIDER SOS® won’t function.