Support & FAQ
Everything you need to get the most out of NearFind. Can't find an answer? Email us — a real person reads every message.
Getting started
What exactly does NearFind do?
NearFind turns your phone into a Bluetooth signal detector. When something you own — earbuds, a hearing aid, a smartwatch, a VR controller — is lost nearby but out of sight, NearFind reads its Bluetooth signal strength and walks you toward it with a hot/cold meter, speeding beeps, and growing vibration.
How close does the lost device need to be? (please read)
NearFind is a close-range finder. It works over roughly 5–10 metres (15–30 feet), which is perfect for finding something hidden in a room, a bag, a car, or under furniture. It is not a GPS tracker and cannot locate a device left in another city or a lost phone on a map. Real range depends on walls, furniture, your body, and interference.
Which devices can I find?
Almost any device that uses Bluetooth: earbuds and headphones, hearing aids, smartwatches, VR controllers, game controllers, keyboards, styluses, speakers, key fobs, Bluetooth trackers, some medical devices, microphones and more. Dedicated device profiles tune the signal model for hearing aids, VR, pro audio, elder-friendly, medical and family use.
Does the lost device need to make a sound?
No. NearFind listens to the Bluetooth signal the device already broadcasts, so it works even on silent devices. There is also an optional "Play sound" action that tries to ring a connected device, but some devices stay silent — the hot/cold guidance does not depend on it.
Does it work offline / without an account?
Yes. NearFind is local-first: the entire find-it experience works with no internet connection and no account. An optional anonymous account (no email required) lets you sync your Vault across your own phones.
Troubleshooting
NearFind can't find my device. Why?
The most common reasons: the device is out of battery; it is beyond Bluetooth range; it does not broadcast a detectable Bluetooth signal (some devices stop advertising when connected or idle); or heavy interference from walls, metal, and other electronics. Try moving slowly, turning your body sideways (your body blocks signal), and getting closer to where you last had it — the "last seen" hint can help.
The signal seems jumpy or inaccurate.
Bluetooth signal strength naturally fluctuates. NearFind smooths it with a Kalman filter and shows a trend arrow ("getting warmer"/"getting colder") so you can trust the direction rather than any single reading. Enable Expert Mode to see raw dBm values if you prefer. Manual calibration (Pro) lets you fine-tune for a specific device.
Do I need to grant location permission?
On Android, the operating system requires location permission for Bluetooth scanning — this is an Android rule, not something NearFind chooses. We also use an approximate location only to remember where a device was last seen. We do not build a continuous location history. See our Privacy Policy.
Pricing, purchases & privacy
Is NearFind free? Is there a subscription?
The core find-it loop is completely free and unlimited. Optional upgrades are one-time purchases — never a subscription. A single upgrade unlocks unlimited saved devices, manual calibration, and all device profiles. A small optional banner appears only in Settings and can be removed any time.
How do I restore a purchase or get a refund?
Use "Restore purchases" in the App to re-apply an upgrade on a new device (with the same store account). Refunds are handled by the Apple App Store or Google Play under their refund policies — contact the store for a refund, and contact us for help restoring an entitlement.
Is my data private? Do you sell it?
Your data stays yours. NearFind is local-first, uses an anonymous account with no email, and we never sell your data or build advertising profiles from the devices you look for. Raw signal samples never leave your phone and auto-delete after 7 days. Full details in the Privacy Policy.
How do I delete my data?
Delete individual items in the App at any time, or request full account deletion from Settings (or by email). Deleting your anonymous account permanently erases all associated cloud data. See Privacy Policy §8.
Still need help?
Email us and include your device model, OS version, and NearFind version so we can help faster.