Linked uses the GPS, Wifi, and network capabilities of Android devices to share real-time locations and to provide integrated chat between Linked members. To use Linked, download, install, and activate the app on your device and you are ready to make Linked connections. Add some contacts to your Linked Contacts List (make sure they also have Linked on their device) and begin making link and chat connections with them. To exit Linked press your device's 'Back' button when the map view is displayed.

To use Linked you need a network connected Android device running Android 2.0 or later and at least 2MB of free space. In addition, Linked requires a valid logged in Google account in order to access the Google Play App Store. Typically, you will have been prompted to create this account when you first configured your Android phone. If you do not have an account configured or logged in, access the Android Settings and select 'Accounts & sync'. Tap the 'Add account' button and select 'Google'. Instructions will be provided for adding your new account.
Linked runs best when the following settings are applied:

• Use GPS Satellites: Enabled
• Use Wireless Networks: Enabled—In areas where GPS positioning is challenged (like indoors), Wi-Fi positioning may provide the best positioning alternative
• Wi-fi Sleep Policy: Never—Linked relies on background checking for updates in from your Linked contacts. If Wi-Fi goes to sleep, you may not receive key communications.
• Mobile Networks (or Data): Enabled—If Wi-Fi is not enabled or not connected to a Wi-Fi access point, Linked relies on network connectivity for communication with the server and other Linked members.
• Google location services: Enabled—When GPS positioning fails, we may be able to get a position from Google-provided sources
• Provider Location Services: Enabled—If your cellular carrier offers an option to utilize your location for services it should be enabled.
• Use Sensor Aiding: Enabled
• Use Data While Roaming: Enabled—You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network for Linked to work if this is not enabled.

Linked runs better, but does not require that Location Services be active on your Android device. For best results when running Linked you should ensure that 'Use Wireless Networks' and 'Use GPS Satellites' are both enabled under 'Location' in the Android settings. In addition, setting your Wi-Fi Sleep Policy (found under Settings/Wireless and Network/Wi-Fi Settings then hit the device Menu button and select Advanced) to "Never."

You must have a connection to either your cellular provider network or a Wi-Fi network for Linked to function properly. Linked will not function when you are out of network and Wi-Fi coverage, when wireless data is disabled or when you are using your Android device in Airplane Mode. If Linked is not functioning properly, please check to make sure that you have either network or Wi-Fi connection. TIP: Linked will show you if you have a network connection: If the dot in the Linked header is green, you are connected; if the dot is red, you are not connected. Please Note: Android devices seek Wi-Fi connections by default. Often, your device will automatically connect you to an "internet portal" or gateway site that will allow you to get on the Internet if you pay or enter a code or etc. These "gateways" will make your device think it has a valid Wi-Fi connection when in fact, you will be unable to do anything more than access the gateway landing webpage. In these instances we recommend that you disable Wi-Fi temporarily and use Linked over your network connection.

During an active link, Linked will update your position every 20 seconds. When idle, the Linked background service will check in every 20 minutes.

Linked uses the best position data it can attain each time it locates a user. Sometimes, when a device is in “urban canyon” settings (like New York City), within structures, underground, or on the edge of network coverage, positions will appear slightly off. While this is due to the limitation of available position data and Linked will always attempt to perfect any location with subsequent communication.

Linked protects personal privacy in a few ways:

• Activation: when you activate your device on the Linked network your device phone number is confirmed and locked into the system. No one can spoof your number.
Contacts only: Only your Linked Contacts have the ability to connect with you and vice-versa. Contact privacy settings: Every Linked contact must have a Privacy setting applied. The three possible settings are:
• Always Allow: always allows the contact to link to you
• Ask Me: pops up a request each time the contact wants to link to you
• Never Allow: the contact will never be able to link to you
• Go Invisible: You are also able to go completely offline from the system using the Go Invisible option. Going Invisible prevents any of your contacts from connecting with you.

To ensure your location is never visible to any third parties, Level 8 does not share your location via social networking sites and encrypts all communications. Level 8 takes privacy concerns very seriously. If you or anyone you know is a victim of stalking or cyberstalking, please contact your local authorities or visit the Stalking Resource Center

When in use, Linked uses your Android GPS capabilities to update and transmit your location. Linked manages battery drain by minimizing GPS and server connections when possible. Even when not sharing location, Linked is periodically in communication with our servers. When Linked is not active, battery life is conserved because GPS is checked less often or never when Linked is running in the background. Further battery enhancements are currently under development.

In order to make connections with your contacts, they must also have the Linked app installed on their device. You can use the Invite feature to send a SMS to unenrolled contacts you have entered already in your contacts List (long-press on the contact and select “Invite”). You can also invite contacts from your device’s phone contact list using the “Invite” option from the Contacts screen menu.
You can only connect to your Linked contacts and they must also have you in their contact list. If someone is enrolled in Linked but not in your Linked Contacts List, and attempts to link to you, a notification will ask you if you want to allow the connection. The phone number of the unknown link will be shown but no name will be seen. If you decide to accept the connection, Linked will add the new number to your Linked Contacts List.

To find out if your friends are using Linked you can enter them into your Linked Contacts List and then check the online/offline status that appears beneath each contact name. If the status says Online or Offline, you know that their phone number is registered with the Linked system and that they had Linked on their device at one time.

If you enter a friend's number into your Linked contacts and their status in the Contacts List appears as “Not enrolled,” their phone number is not registered in the Linked system. You can invite contacts that are not enrolled to download Linked by using the “Invite” menu option found by long-pressing a “Not enrolled” contact, or by the Contacts List screen menu. If the contact shows as Online or Offline, you know they have Linked. You can attempt to connect with these friends even if you are not in their Linked Contact List yet. They will receive a notification that there is a link request coming to them from your phone number. They can accept of reject the connection request. If they accept, Linked will automatically add you to that person’s Linked Contact List.

You can invite friends to use Linked by selecting the "Invite" option from the Contacts List screen menu. You can then select whether to enter a phone number or to choose multiple contacts from your phone's contact list. Linked will then present you with a list of your phone's contacts where you can select who you would like to invite to use Linked. Once you have selected your invitees, you will be prompted to send an SMS message to those contacts that will include a hyperlink to download Linked from the Google Play App Store.

Linked will always attempt to get the best possible locations. Occasionally, Linked will have a location for a device and then go out of network coverage. In these instances, Linked will use last-known location information to get a location for the user. Sometimes, when there is no data available, Linked will be unable to acquire your location but can get the location of your contacts. In these instances make sure that GPS, Wi-Fi, and network data are all enabled. If so, seek an open area where your device can connect to GPS satellites. The satellite icon in your device’s status bar will blink when attempting to connect to a GPS satellite and will stay steadily lit if it has a connection. In addition, you can always see if you have a connection to the Linked network by the color of the dot in the Linked header logo. If the dot is red, the device is not connected, if it is green it is connected.

Linked Lite allows only one link at a time. Linked Pro allows up to 20 concurrent links. Both versions offer full chat features.

Level 8 offers an enterprise version of Linked that allows you to host and manage your own closed Linked network. Enterprise versions of Linked can be scaled to fit your needs and include expanded features such as a desktop client, unlimited contact linking, and the ability to add "Tag" accounts. A Tag is a small hardware device used for tracking inanimate objects such as vehicles. A Tag requires a network connection and power to function), This is the ideal setup for businesses with fleets or mobile teams. Please contact us for further information on a Linked solution for your enterprise.

When Linked is running on your Android phone, tapping the 'Home' button will put Linked into the background so that active Link sessions will continue. To exit the Linked app, when the map view is displayed on your phone, tap the 'Back' button until you reach the device's home screen again. To stop link and chat connections, use the “Go Invisible” option found on the Map screen menu. This will change your Linked status to Offline.

Android devices seek Wi-Fi connections by default. Often, your device will automatically connect you to an "internet portal" or gateway site that will allow you to get on the internet if you pay or enter a code, such as a coffee shop, airport, or some hotels. These "gateways" will make your device think it has a valid Wi-Fi connection when in fact, you will be unable to do anything more than access the gateway landing webpage. In these instances we recommend that you disable Wi-Fi temporarily and use Linked over your network connection.