Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started:

Is the Know NOW! App truly free or do I have to pay after a trial period?

There are three membership levels available in the Know NOW! App, with the basic level always being absolutely free! Please note that regardless of the membership level, all users will automatically receive emergency alerts from participating public agencies in their area.
Know NOW! Free allows users to follow unlimited groups and create up to five groups (either Public or Private).
Know NOW! Plus+ lets users follow and create unlimited groups (including Premium), removes in-app advertising, and adds additional in-app features.
Know NOW! Professional offers even more options, including access to the Know NOW! Professional Web Portal for enhanced control of your Know NOW! universe.
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For more information about pricing, please click here.

Do I have to set up an account to use the Know NOW! App?

Yes, all users of the Know NOW! App must set up a free account to gain access. However, we only require you to enter a username, password, and one contact method for password resets and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

What are the steps for logging into the app?

When returning users who have previously logged out open the app, they will be directed to the Login Screen. To log in, enter your username and password, then press the “Log In” button. If the credentials are incorrect, an error message will appear, and the username and password fields will turn red to indicate the error. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, you can recover them by following the prompts in the “I Forgot My Username or Password” section.

How can I create a new account in the app?

New users must create an account to use the app. To begin, press the “Create Account” button. You’ll be prompted to enter a unique username, password, confirm your password, and provide your zip code along with your contact details (phone number and/or email). Note that the username has specific requirements and cannot be changed after the account is created. The account creation process will be halted if there are issues such as an invalid email, mismatched passwords, or a username that is already in use. Once your account is successfully created, you’ll be directed to a verification screen, where a code will be sent to your phone or email. After entering the correct verification code, you will be taken to the app’s Home Screen.

What should I do if I do not receive a verification code during account creation or password reset?

If you don’t receive your verification code while creating an account or resetting your password, you can press the “Didn’t Receive Your Verification” button. This will take you to a screen where you can review the phone number or email you entered. If the information is correct, you can resend the code. If it’s incorrect, you can update the contact details and resend the code, which will then be saved in the database under your username. If the phone number or email entered is invalid, an error message will appear.

App Basics

What is the Know NOW! Header and what are its components?

The Know NOW! Header is a consistent feature at the top of every page in the app.

Back Arrow: Appears on the left-hand side on certain screens, allowing users to return to the previous page.
K Button: Serves as a visual indicator for Critical or Non-Critical Alerts from Emergency Groups. The color of the “K” changes based on the type of active emergency alerts affecting you: red for Critical Alerts, yellow for Advisory Alerts, and white for no active emergencies. If there is an unviewed emergency alert, the K-Banner will expand to display the alert subject in the appropriate color. Pressing the K Button directs users to the Alert tab. The “K” will continue to display the corresponding color until all emergency alerts affecting the user have expired.
Search Icon: Opens a search field page for finding Groups.
How does the K Button function in alert situations?
The K Button is a critical feature for alert notifications:
Critical Alerts: The K Banner expands, turns red, and displays the type of alert. It remains red for the duration of the Alert. Pressing it takes users directly to the Alert.
Advisory Alerts: Functions similarly to Critical Alerts but the expanded K turns yellow.
No Alerts: K stays white when there are no active alerts. Pressing the white K Button provides information on its function.

When there is an unviewed emergency alert, the K-Banner will expand and display the Alert subject in the appropriate color. Pressing the K Banner takes users directly to the Alert. The K will continue to display the corresponding color until all emergency alerts affecting the user have expired.

What special features does the Search Button offer?

The Search Button is designed for an enhanced search experience:
Search Field Expansion: Pressing the button expands the field across the header, prompting users to search within the app.
Search Groups: Users can search for Groups, with each having distinct visual identifiers for quick recognition.

What is the “Home” Screen and How Does it Work?

The “Home” Screen’s Discover Tab is the default screen users see upon logging in, unless there are active alerts affecting their location, in which case the app will open to the Alert Tab. The Discover Tab functions as a scrolling feed for all Groups. At the top of the Home Screen, there are filtering tabs that allow users to view different categories:
Alerts: Notifications sent by qualified Emergency Management agencies. The Alerts Tab has sub-filters for:
Critical Alerts: Life-threatening notifications, such as Tornado Warnings or Flash Flood Warnings.
Advisory Alerts: Informational notifications, such as road closures or boil water advisories.
All: Displays recent alerts from Emergency Groups worldwide.
Discover: Displays items from Public Groups that the user may not be following but are trending.
Following: Shows alerts from the private groups the user follows. The Following Tab has sub-filters for All, Public, Private, and Premium Groups.
News: Provides a feed dedicated specifically to news agencies and information.
My Posts: Displays all items that you have posted, organized by the date they were posted.
Bookmarks: Features posts and alerts that you have bookmarked or saved using the Bookmark icon under each alert.

How do I know what emergency Groups are “Near Me”?

At the top left of the Home Screen, there is a drop-down arrow that, when selected, displays “Near Me” Emergency Groups.

Groups

What are the different types of groups in Know NOW! and what are their functionalities?

In Know NOW!, all users can create two types of groups, each with distinct features and functionalities:

Public Groups:

Functionality: Public Groups are open for anyone to follow and are designed for broader engagement and visibility.

Key Features:

Visibility: They are visible to all users on the platform.
Open Access: Any user can follow these groups without needing approval.
Group Handle: A unique handle is automatically generated for identification.
Group Avatar: Can be customized for group identity.
Group Description: Optional, up to 1024 characters to describe the group’s purpose.

Private Groups:

Functionality: Private Groups offer a more controlled environment, suitable for exclusive or niche audiences.

Key Features:

Visibility: Private Groups are not searchable on the Platform.
Restricted Access: Group Owners must Invite Users to follow.
Privacy: The group’s content is only visible to its followers.

Additionally, Plus+ and Professional Users can create Premium Groups, which are covered under their own section, below.

Premium Groups:

Functionality: Premium Groups can only be accessed via an owner-provided access code or a subscription. They are designed for group owners to offer exclusive, members-only content behind an owner-controlled paywall.

Key Features:

Visibility: The group name and details are searchable and visible to all users on the platform.
Restricted Access: Users can only join and view Group content via Subscription or Access Code.
Group Handle: A unique handle is automatically generated for identification.
Group Avatar: Can be customized for group identity.
Group Description: Optional, up to 1024 characters to describe the group’s purpose.

What is an Emergency Group?

To ensure the most relevant alerts, all app users are automatically subscribed to important local groups, such as city, county, or state Emergency Management Agencies. These emergency groups will dynamically update based on your location, with those closest to you displayed in the “Near Me” dropdown at the top left of the screen.

Can I receive updates for multiple locations?

Yes, all Know NOW! users automatically receive alerts for their current location and can also follow an unlimited number of Public and Private Groups.

How do I create a group in Know NOW!?

To create a group, press the “Groups” button and choose “New Group” at the top of the screen. The “New Group” screen requires you to complete mandatory fields such as “Group Name” (2-128 characters, alphanumeric, with limited special characters), Group Handle, and “Group Type” (Public, Private, or Premium). Additional options include uploading a Group Avatar or Photo and filling out optional fields like Group Location (using a full-screen map interface) and Group Description (up to 1024 characters). Once all required information is provided, you can click the “Create Group” button.

How can I see Group Information?

Pressing a group header takes users directly to the group’s profile. This displays the group’s about information and any active posts from that group.

How can I follow a Public Group?

There are two ways to follow a group. The easiest way is to simply select “Follow” from the group header. Alternatively, if you want to explore more group information before following, press on the group header to access the Group Profile screen, then choose “See More” to view the group details. From there, you can select “Follow.” This will add the group to your Following section on the Groups screen.

What is a Private Group and how do I join one?

Private Groups are invitation-only groups that any Know NOW! user can create to send specific alerts to targeted recipients. If you receive an invitation to join a Private Group, click on the envelope icon in the top left-hand corner of the screen or tap the associated in-app notification.

How do I join a Premium Group?

To join a Premium Group in Know NOW!, you’ll need either an access code provided by the group owner or a subscription. Once you have one of these, you can search for the group, enter the access code, or complete the subscription process to gain access to the group’s exclusive content.

What features and sections are available on the Groups Screen?

The Groups Screen, accessed via the third button at the bottom of the app, displays groups in the following categories: Leading, Following, Emergency, and Suggested. Each section is expandable by clicking the arrow to the right of the section. This screen also includes the “New Group” option.

Creating a Group: Users can create a new group by pressing the “New Group” button at the top of the screen, which navigates them to the Create Group Screen for further steps.
Leading: Contains groups owned or led by the user. It includes a Group Type filter with options such as All, Public, Private, Premium, and Emergency.
Following: Displays groups that the user follows, with the same Group Type filter as in the Leading section.
Emergency: Lists local Emergency Groups based on the user’s location. This section does not include a Group Type filter.
Suggested: Offers a selection of Public, Premium, and Emergency Groups that the user doesn’t follow but might find interesting.

Each group is represented by its avatar, name, handle, and follower count. Selecting a group name or avatar navigates the user to that group’s Profile Tab view. Additionally, Group Type icons are provided to indicate the type of each group.

How do I find a specific Group?

Users can find a specific group by clicking the Search icon at the top right of the app screen and typing the group name. The app will then display possible matches based on the entered text.

How is a Public Group different from a Premium Group or Private Group?

Public Groups send universal alerts that are received by anyone who follows the group. In contrast, Private Groups are designed to send specific instructions to targeted recipients that you personally invite. Simply put, app users choose which Public Groups to follow, while Group Owners select which app users can join their Private Groups.
Premium Groups offer a hybrid of the two. Any app user can join a Premium Group with the appropriate access code or subscription. (Note: Premium Groups are an upcoming feature and are not currently available.)
Every app user has the ability to create both Public and Private Groups. However, to create Premium Groups, users must upgrade to Plus+ or higher. For more information on pricing, please click here.

Posts and Alerts

What is the difference between an “Alert” and a “Post”?

Alerts can only be sent from an official Emergency or Government Group, and only an official Group Owner will see this option. This ensures that users can trust the information provided during a crisis as coming from a verified source.

On the other hand, Posts can be created by any app user. This is the method by which general users share notifications within their groups, whether they are Public, Private, or Premium.

Does the Know NOW! App send push notifications?

Yes, every Alert from your auto-followed groups and every Post from all other followed groups will be delivered to your phone as a push notification as soon as it is sent. However, Know NOW! allows you to disable push notifications for any individual group by pressing the “Disable Notifications” button on the Group Details tab.

How do I create a Post for a group in Know NOW!?

To create an Post, press the “Post” button at the bottom of the screen, then choose the type of notification you would like to send. You can use one of the available Report Templates (Weather, Traffic, Lost/Found, or Crime), or you can choose “Post” to create a general post. Alerts can only be sent from an official Emergency or Government Group, and only an official Group Owner will have access to this option.

The next screens will guide you through the process:

Subject: Mandatory, with a 64-character limit.
Alert Priority: Only for Emergency Groups; must be selected as either “Advisory” or “Critical.”
Alert Message: Optional, with a 280-character limit.
Alert Media: Optional; you can add photos, videos, audio, documents, or web links. Up to 10 media attachments per post.
Expiration Date: Set when the alert should expire (up to 30 days in the future).
Expoint: Enter key terms to group by topic.

Select Group: Choose which group to send the notification to from the groups you lead. Plus+ and Professional users can choose multiple groups simultaneously, while Free users can post to only one.

After filling in the desired information, you can choose “Post” to send the message. If you choose an option that exits the post creation process, the system will give a warning that leaving the process will discard all entered information and prompt you to either “Cancel” (stay in the creation process) or “Proceed” (exit to the other screen).

What is an Expoint?

An Expoint is a keyword or set of keywords that you can enter when creating an alert or post. These keywords help categorize and group the content by topic, making it easier for users to search for and find related information within the app.

How can I save an interesting Post for later?

To save an interesting post for later, you can use the Bookmark feature. Simply click the Bookmark icon located under the post. This will save the post to your Bookmarks tab, where you can easily access it later from the Home screen.

How can I share a Know NOW! Post?

To share a Know NOW! post, follow these steps:

Open the post you want to share.
Look for the “Share” icon, typically located beneath the post content.
Tap the “Share” icon, and a menu will appear with sharing options.
Choose how you’d like to share the post, whether through social media, messaging apps, email, or by copying the link.
Once you’ve selected your preferred sharing method, follow the prompts to complete the process.
How can I interact within Posts?
Users can interact with alerts through likes, shares, bookmarks, and comments.

If I send an Alert, who will receive it?

When you post to your Public Group, any app user who follows that group will receive a push notification. Additionally, all your sent alerts will be viewable by any app user who visits your Public Group page.

If you post to a Private Group, only those app users who have accepted your invitation to join the group will receive the post.

For Premium Groups, only those app users who have gained access via a code or by subscribing to the group at the owner’s set rate will receive or be able to see the post. (Note: Premium Groups are an upcoming feature and are not currently available).

Can I send Alerts from my phone or tablet?

Yes, Know NOW! app users can access the app on desktop, tablet, or smartphone, with most features available across all platforms.*

*Know NOW! Professional users have access to additional features through the Know NOW! Web Portal.

Vault

What is the purpose of the Vault Screen in the Know NOW! app, and how does it store media?

The Vault Screen serves as a dedicated storage space for Know NOW! Users.  It allows these users to upload and store various types of media independently of their groups. This media includes photos, videos, audio files, documents, and web links. Interestingly, all media uploaded to the posts of any group is also automatically saved to the Group Media Vault.

How is Media Managed and Organized in the Vault?

The Vault Screen displays the user’s Avatar, Username, and join date at the top, along with a usage bar indicating the amount of data storage used and their total available storage. Users can navigate and manage their media using a Media Navigation bar, which includes options like Photos, Videos, Audios, Documents, Web Links. Users can upload new media using the Plus button. Each media type has specific functionalities for upload and display. Long-pressing on any media thumbnail opens a modal to delete them. You can bulk delete multiple items by selecting each item.

Is it possible to add permanent items to the Group Locations Map?

Yes. Group Leaders can add Pins or Polygons to the Group Locations Map within the Group Media Vault. Whether these Pins or Polygon show siren coordinates, building locations or any other relevant location, the Group Leader has complete control of what the Group Followers see, as well as when they see it.

Know NOW! Community Project

Is Know NOW! truly free or is it just a trial period?

We want Know NOW! to be utilized by as many public agencies as possible. While there are various subscription levels available for individual Know NOW! Users, access to Know NOW! will remain completely free to qualifying public agencies for as long as they choose to use it.

Do I need phone numbers or email addresses to send Alerts?

One of the best features of Know NOW! is that you don’t need phone numbers, email addresses or any other contact information to send Alerts. Since the end-user downloads the App directly to their phone and is automatically subscribed to local government agencies, you only need to focus on your messaging– no database management required.

If I send an Alert, who will actually receive it?

As a government agency, you can be designated as an Auto-Follow Group. This means that every app user in your area—whether they are a resident, worker, or visitor—is automatically subscribed to your alerts. Additionally, anyone outside your area who chooses to follow your group will also receive your alerts.

What information can be included in an Alert?

Know NOW! Alerts can be as simple or as detailed as the Alert Sender wants. Every Alert can include an Alert Subject, Alert Message and Alert Priority (a feature only available to Auto-Follow Groups) along with Alert Media (such as locations, videos, photos, audio, documents and web links). Additionally, you can set a Send Date and Expiration Date for each Alert.

How many Alert Priority levels are available?

Alert Priority levels are a feature uniquely available to Emergency Groups, such as Public Emergency Management Agencies, 911 Dispatchers and other government agencies. Generally, Public and Private Groups each have one level of Alert, but Public Groups with an Emergency designation have the ability to send both Critical and Advisory Alerts.

While Advisory Alerts function like standard alerts, Critical Alerts have the added capability of overriding the app user’s phone settings to ensure that the alert reaches as many people as possible.

Is it possible to add permanent items to the Group Locations Map?

Yes, Group Leaders can add Pins or Polygons to the Group Locations Map within the Group Vault. Whether these Pins or Polygons display siren coordinates, building locations, or any other relevant site, the Group Leader has complete control over what the Group Followers see and when they see it. 

Can I send Alerts from my phone?

Yes, Know NOW! app users can access the app on desktop, tablet, or smartphone, with most features available across all platforms.*

*Know NOW! Professional users have access to additional features through the Know NOW! Web Portal.

After joining the Know NOW! Community Project, how do I get local residents to download the App?