Question 1

What does Y.O.D.O. stand for?

Accepted Answer

Y.O.D.O. stands for "You Only Die Once." It's a reminder to seize the day and to be prepared, for ourselves and the people we love. The platform is built around both halves of that idea: living with intent, and making sure the right things reach the right people if the day ever comes.

Question 2

What does Y.O.D.O. actually do day to day?

Accepted Answer

Most days, nothing visible. You get a short check-in email on the cadence you set, and you tap once. Between scheduled check-ins, you can send a Quick check-in any time. If you are travelling or unwell, you can use Care Pause.

Question 3

Who is Y.O.D.O. for?

Accepted Answer

Anyone with someone in their life they want to keep noticing. People who live alone. Families and partners apart. Carers. People living with a chronic condition. People who simply want their friends or family to know when they have gone quiet for a few days.

Question 4

What happens if I miss a check-in?

Accepted Answer

You get Reminders first. If a Reminder window passes, your Delegates are contacted, in the order you set. They are asked to confirm whether you are OK. Sealed messages are not released on a missed check-in alone.

Question 5

What is a Delegate?

Accepted Answer

A person you nominate to be contacted if you go quiet. They confirm whether you are OK. They cannot read your sealed messages. A Delegate's role is presence, not access.

Question 6

What is a Care Pause?

Accepted Answer

A pause you set on your check-in schedule when you are travelling, unwell, or otherwise temporarily unavailable. Billing does not pause during a Care Pause.

Question 7

When are sealed messages released?

Accepted Answer

Only after a passing has been verified, and only after a Buffer period you set. Y.O.D.O. aims to release your messages as intended, but release cannot be guaranteed in every circumstance.

Question 8

Is Y.O.D.O. a death-notification app?

Accepted Answer

Y.O.D.O. is sometimes found through that search. It is not how we describe ourselves. Y.O.D.O. is a private communication support service. A passing is one possible outcome we handle, not the purpose. Most of what Y.O.D.O. does happens while you are alive: scheduled check-ins, quick check-ins, Care Pauses, and sealed messages held privately for the people you chose. When a passing is verified, those messages are released and your Delegates are contacted. If that is what you were searching for, Y.O.D.O. covers it. It also covers everything that happens in the years before.

Question 9

What is Y.O.D.O.?

Accepted Answer

A private communication support service that checks in with you on a schedule you choose. If you go quiet, the trusted people you name may be contacted. You can also write sealed messages that stay protected until a passing is verified.

Question 10

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Create an account and start a 14-day free trial. No payment details needed. Set your Check-in schedule and add your Delegates. If you add payment details during the trial, billing starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. If you do not, the trial simply ends.

Question 11

Is Y.O.D.O. an emergency service?

Accepted Answer

No. Y.O.D.O. does not contact emergency services, police, or hospitals. If someone is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services.

Question 12

Does Y.O.D.O. provide medical monitoring?

Accepted Answer

No. Y.O.D.O. cannot detect medical events, falls, or health changes. It is a Check-in and messaging service, not a medical device.

Question 13

Does Y.O.D.O. track my location or monitor me?

Accepted Answer

No. Check-ins are sent by email on your chosen schedule. There is no location tracking or background monitoring of any kind.

Question 14

How do Check-ins work?

Accepted Answer

You receive an email at your scheduled time. Log in, tap the button, and you are done. You have an 8-hour Response Window to respond.

If you do not respond in time, we may send reminders. Delegates may be contacted only after the buffer you chose (8, 16, 24, or 48 hours). You control the timing.

Question 15

Can I check in early?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can check in at any time while signed in. This resolves any open escalation but does not change your next scheduled Check-in.

Question 16

What exactly happens when I miss a Check-in?

Accepted Answer

Nothing happens straight away. You have an 8-hour Response Window. If you do not respond, we may send reminders. Delegates are contacted only after the buffer you chose. If you check in at any point, everything resolves quietly.

Question 17

Can I change how often I am checked in on?

Accepted Answer

All plans default to monthly. Premium and Supreme let you switch to daily, weekly, or fortnightly in Settings. Standard stays at monthly.

Question 18

What if I am travelling or unwell?

Accepted Answer

You can switch to a less frequent schedule in Settings. If you need a temporary pause, a Delegate can request a Care Pause (15 or 30 days). If you miss a Check-in, checking in at any time resolves it.

Question 19

What do the account statuses mean?

Accepted Answer

Your status tells you what is happening and what to do next. Examples include Check-ins active, Check-in overdue, and Payment issue. Each status is explained on screen.

Question 20

What are Passive Check-ins?

Accepted Answer

A planned feature that would let you connect a device (like a smartwatch) to share limited signals such as step count. It would not track your location or detect medical events, and would supplement, not replace, manual Check-ins. Not yet available.

Question 21

What is a Delegate, and what do they do?

Accepted Answer

A trusted person you choose. They may be contacted if you go quiet. Delegates join for free and cannot see your private messages.

Question 22

What can Delegates not do?

Accepted Answer

Delegates cannot read your messages, view your Recipients, access your billing, track your location, or log into your account. Their role is limited to responding when you go quiet.

Question 23

When are Delegates contacted?

Accepted Answer

Only after an unconfirmed Check-in, and only after the buffer time you chose. If you check in, Delegates are never contacted. Silence is the only trigger.

Question 24

What can Delegates see?

Accepted Answer

Your name, the date of your last confirmed Check-in, and whether action is needed. They cannot see messages, Recipients, location, or billing details.

Question 25

Can Delegates see each other?

Accepted Answer

Not by default. You can enable Delegate visibility in Settings. When enabled, Delegates may see each other's names. Any Delegate can opt out and appear as 'Hidden delegate'.

Question 26

Can I control when Delegates are contacted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You choose the buffer (8, 16, 24, or 48 hours) and whether Delegates are contacted one at a time or all at once. At the 8-hour setting, Delegates may be contacted at the same time as your first reminder.

Question 27

What can Delegates do when contacted?

Accepted Answer

Three options:

1. They are OK: confirm you are fine (a note is required explaining how they know).
2. Request a Care Pause: pause Check-ins for 15 or 30 days.
3. Start a Status Check: involve the group if they cannot reach you.

Each action requires logging in. Sensitive actions require extra verification.

Question 28

What are Special Delegates?

Accepted Answer

Professional contacts such as solicitors, funeral directors, or employers. They are notified only after a passing is confirmed and verified. They play no part in Check-ins or escalation. Limits: Standard 1, Premium 5, Supreme 8.

Question 29

What does a Partner see in their account?

Accepted Answer

A Partner sees the names of the Account Holders who have nominated them as a Special Delegate, each Account Holder's current status (active, in verification, passing confirmed), and the notification delivered after a passing is confirmed. A Partner does not see Messages, Check-in content, location, health, device or billing data.

Question 30

What if I do not have anyone to nominate as a Delegate?

Accepted Answer

You are not alone in this. Many people find it difficult to identify someone. Consider trusted professionals such as a solicitor, faith leader, or long-standing GP. You might also reach out to befriending organisations like Age UK or Re-engage, who connect people with volunteers. The important thing is to choose someone you trust, even if you are not in regular contact.

Question 31

What happens after a missed Check-in?

Accepted Answer

Nothing happens immediately. We may send reminders first. Delegates may be contacted only after your chosen buffer (8 to 48 hours). If you check in before then, everything resolves quietly.

Question 32

What is a Status Check?

Accepted Answer

A way for a Delegate to act if they cannot reach you. Three paths:

1. Request a Check-in: sends you a quick email. Other Delegates are not told.
2. Raise a Concern: asks other Delegates for an update. Does not report a passing.
3. Report a Passing: starts formal verification with identity checks and a death certificate.

No messages are released during a Status Check.

Question 33

What is a Delegate-requested Care Pause?

Accepted Answer

A temporary pause on Check-ins and escalation, requested by a Delegate when you are known to be unavailable. Lasts 15 or 30 days. Billing continues. You can override it at any time by logging in.

Question 34

What is the difference between Raise a Concern and Report a Passing?

Accepted Answer

Raise a Concern asks other Delegates for an update. It does not report a passing and does not require identity verification.

Report a Passing starts formal verification. It requires identity verification through Persona and uploading a death certificate.

Question 35

How is a passing verified?

Accepted Answer

The reporting Delegate verifies their identity through Persona. A death certificate is then uploaded securely in the app, either by a Delegate or by a Special Delegate who is a solicitor or notary enabled by the Account Holder. Y.O.D.O. reviews the submission for plausibility and consistency. We do not verify documents with government registries. After review, Delegates are notified and message release may begin.

Question 36

What if Delegates disagree?

Accepted Answer

You are asked to check in. We send up to one reminder per day during the 72-hour resolution window. If votes are evenly split, the status quo is maintained. Support can help with complex situations.

Question 37

Can someone falsely report a passing?

Accepted Answer

Several safeguards reduce this risk. The reporting Delegate must verify their identity. Other Delegates are notified and have 72 hours to respond. If someone confirms you are OK, you and your other Delegates are alerted. False confirmations intended to delay legitimate verification may result in account suspension.

Question 38

What does Locked mean for a Delegate?

Accepted Answer

A Delegate becomes Locked if they confirm 'They are OK' twice without you ever responding, or if Care Pauses reach 45 days in 60 without your response. While Locked, they cannot confirm or request further pauses until you respond or Support reviews.

Question 39

What if no one responds for a very long time?

Accepted Answer

If Check-ins go unanswered and Delegates cannot confirm your status, your account may be scheduled for deletion. You will receive reminders first. Approximate timelines: 60 days after prolonged non-response, or 30 days after your subscription ends.

Question 40

What are sealed messages?

Accepted Answer

Private words you prepare for specific people. They stay sealed until a passing is verified. Only your chosen Recipients can access them, and only after verification is complete.

Question 41

Who can see my messages?

Accepted Answer

Only your named Recipients, and only after a passing is confirmed and verified. Delegates never see messages. If someone is both a Delegate and a Recipient, they gain Recipient access only after verification, via a separate process.

Question 42

When are messages delivered?

Accepted Answer

Only after a passing is confirmed through verification. Nothing is released during a Status Check or Care Pause. Recipients are notified and asked to verify their identity before access.

Question 43

What formats can messages be in?

Accepted Answer

Text, voice, video, or file attachments. You choose what feels right.

Question 44

Can I edit or delete a message after writing it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While your account is active, you can edit or delete any message at any time. Once a passing is verified and messages are released, changes are no longer possible.

Question 45

Are messages legal documents?

Accepted Answer

No. Messages are personal communications, not wills or legal instructions. For formal arrangements, speak to a solicitor. Avoid including passwords, financial credentials, or detailed personal information about third parties.

Question 46

Is message release guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No. Release depends on successful passing verification and the Recipient completing identity checks. Recipients are encouraged to save anything they want to keep within the 12-month access window.

Question 47

What is the difference between Simple and Enhanced verification?

Accepted Answer

Messages are never sent by email. Every Recipient accesses their message through a secure link. Simple verification confirms the Recipient using the phone number or email address you provided. Enhanced verification requires a full identity check through our verification partner, Persona. You choose the level per message, so different Recipients can have different levels of security.

Question 48

How do Recipients access messages?

Accepted Answer

Every Recipient receives a secure link. Messages are never sent by email. The Account Holder chooses the verification level for each message:

Simple verification: the Recipient confirms their identity using a phone number or email address.

Enhanced verification: the Recipient completes a full identity check through Persona. No Y.O.D.O. account is needed in either case.

Question 49

Why am I receiving a message from Y.O.D.O.?

Accepted Answer

Someone you know chose you as a Recipient and left words for you. The message has been released after verification. You may need to verify your identity before reading it.

Question 50

How long do Recipients have to access messages?

Accepted Answer

12 months from delivery. We strongly recommend downloading messages and attachments for safekeeping. After 12 months, content is removed. Contact support if your window has expired.

Question 51

Can a child be a Recipient?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the Recipient is under 18 at the time of delivery, a parent or legal guardian may need to verify access on their behalf. Minors cannot be Account Holders or Delegates.

Question 52

What if I am the child's only parent or guardian?

Accepted Answer

If you are the Minor Recipient's sole parent or legal guardian, Messages addressed to the child are kept securely and remain unreleased until a new legal guardian has been formally appointed (for example through a guardian named in your will, or by a court). Once appointed, the new guardian can contact us to verify their identity and authority, after which the standard guardian access steps apply. We will pause the access window during this period where reasonably necessary so Messages are not lost while formal guardianship is being arranged.

Question 53

How does the free trial work?

Accepted Answer

Create your account without payment details. You get 14 days of full access. If you add payment details during the trial, billing starts when the trial ends unless you cancel first. If you do not, nothing is charged. One trial per person.

Question 54

Can I cancel anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cancel online at any time. Your plan stays active until the end of your current billing period. No further charges apply.

Question 55

What happens if my payment fails?

Accepted Answer

You have 7 days to update your payment method. Your service continues during that window. If payment is not resolved, your subscription ends and Check-ins stop.

Question 56

What happens if my subscription ends?

Accepted Answer

Your account becomes Inactive. Check-ins stop and Delegates are not contacted. Deletion may be scheduled 30 days later, unless a passing is reported during that window.

Question 57

Does billing pause during a Care Pause?

Accepted Answer

No. Billing continues. A Care Pause only pauses Check-ins and escalation.

Question 58

What is included in each plan?

Accepted Answer

All plans include scheduled Check-ins, sealed messages, email support, and a 14-day free trial. Premium and Supreme add customisable frequency, higher limits, more storage, and priority support. Being a Delegate or Recipient is always completely free.

Question 59

How is my data protected?

Accepted Answer

Your data is protected in storage and during transfer. We follow GDPR and UK data protection law. Access controls are designed so that only the right people see the right information at the right time.

Question 60

Can Y.O.D.O. staff read my messages?

Accepted Answer

No. Your messages are private. We do not read, analyse, or sell your content.

Question 61

What happens to my data if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Download anything you want to keep. After a grace period, your data may be deleted in line with our retention policies. You will be notified before anything is removed.

Question 62

What happens to my messages if Y.O.D.O. ceases trading?

Accepted Answer

You would receive at least 60 days' written notice. During that window you could export your messages and contacts. Sealed messages would not be released automatically. If the service is transferred to a successor, you would be given a clear choice about whether your data moves. If not, all stored messages would be securely deleted in line with UK GDPR. Messages already delivered to Recipients remain with them.

Question 63

How does identity verification work?

Accepted Answer

For Recipients, the Account Holder chooses between Simple verification (confirming identity via phone or email) and Enhanced verification (a full identity check through our partner, Persona). Enhanced verification is also required for high-trust actions such as reporting a passing. Raising a Concern requires a lighter step-up check.

Question 64

Are documents checked with government registries?

Accepted Answer

No. Documents are reviewed for plausibility and consistency. We do not verify them with issuing authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Plain answers

Getting Started

Check-ins

Delegates

What Happens If You Go Quiet

Private Messages

Recipients

Pricing and Billing

Privacy and Security

Partners and Special Delegates

Support and Contact

Are you a professional or organisation?

Still have questions?