Welcome to Tihi Support

Tihi is a silent signaling app designed to make communication easier when words are hard. Whether you’re experiencing overwhelm, anxiety, or sensory overload, Tihi provides a simple way to send signals to your support person.

Getting Started

Getting Started with Tihi

What You’ll Need

Two iOS devices (iPhone or iPad)
iOS 16.0 or later
Bluetooth enabled on both devices
Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network (recommended)

Initial Setup

Step 1: Install the App Download Tihi from the App Store on both devices.

Step 2: Complete Onboarding On first launch, you’ll be guided through:

Understanding how Tihi works
Choosing your role (Sender or Receiver)
Granting necessary permissions

Step 3: Grant Permissions Tihi needs three permissions to work properly:

Bluetooth: To connect devices
Local Network: To discover nearby devices
Notifications: To alert the receiver of signals

Step 4: Pair Your Devices Follow the pairing instructions to connect sender and receiver.

Choosing Roles

Sender

The person who will send signals
Can send pre-set or custom signals
Sees all available signal options

Receiver

The person who will receive signals
Gets notifications when signals arrive
Sees signal history

💡 Tip: You can switch roles anytime in Settings.

How to Pair Devices

Pairing Your Devices

Pairing connects a sender device to a receiver device so they can communicate.

Pairing Steps

On the Receiver Device:

Open Tihi
Select “Receiver” mode
Keep the app open and in the foreground

On the Sender Device:

Open Tihi
Select “Sender” mode
Tap the connection icon (wave symbol) in the top right
Wait for the receiver to appear in the list
Tap the receiver’s name to connect
The receiver will see a connection request
Tap “Accept” on the receiver

Connection Confirmed

Sender sees: “Connected to [Receiver Name]” with green dot
Receiver sees: “Connected to [Sender Name]” banner

Pairing Tips

✅ Do:

Keep both devices within 30 feet / 10 metres during pairing
Ensure both devices have Bluetooth enabled
Keep both apps in the foreground while pairing
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network

❌ Don’t:

Lock your device during pairing
Switch apps while pairing
Move too far apart during initial connection

Connection Stays Active

Once paired, the connection remains active as long as:

Both devices are within range
Both apps are running (can be in background)
Bluetooth is enabled on both devices

Using Tihi

How to Use Tihi

Sending Signals

Pre-Set Signals:

Ensure you’re connected (green dot visible)
Tap any signal button
Signal is sent instantly
You’ll see a confirmation toast

Available Signals:

Overwhelmed
Need Break
Need Quiet
Need Help
Can’t Focus
Sensory Overload
Need to Move
Need to Talk
I’m Good

Custom Signals:

Tap “Say it your way” button
Type your message (e.g., “Need water”, “Too cold”)
Tap “Send”
Your custom message is sent

Receiving Signals

When a Signal Arrives:

Notification appears (even if phone is locked)
Strong haptic feedback (triple vibration)
Signal appears on screen with sender’s name
Signal is saved to history

Viewing History: Scroll down on the receiver screen to see the last 10 signals with timestamps.

Managing Connection

Check Connection Status:

Sender: Look for green dot and receiver name at top
Receiver: Look for connection banner at top

Reconnecting: If connection is lost, tap the connection icon on the sender device and select the receiver again.

Disconnecting: Connection automatically ends when either device closes the app or moves out of range.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Issues

Problem: Devices won’t pair

✅ Solutions:

Ensure both devices have Bluetooth enabled
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
Keep devices within 30 feet of each other
Restart both apps
Check that permissions are granted (Settings → Tihi)
Try turning Bluetooth off and on again on both devices

Problem: Connection keeps dropping

✅ Solutions:

Move devices closer together (within 30 feet)
Remove obstacles between devices
Ensure both devices have good Wi-Fi signal
Keep receiver app in foreground for best results
Check that Bluetooth is enabled on both devices
Restart both devices if issue persists

Problem: Receiver not appearing in list

✅ Solutions:

Make sure receiver has selected “Receiver” mode
Keep receiver app open and in foreground
Wait 10-15 seconds for discovery
Restart the receiver app
Check that receiver has granted Bluetooth permission

Signal Issues

Problem: Signals not sending

✅ Solutions:

Check that you’re connected (green dot visible)
Tap the connection icon to reconnect
Ensure receiver app is running
Check that both devices are within range

Problem: Notifications not appearing

✅ Solutions:

Check notification permissions: Settings → Tihi → Notifications
Ensure “Allow Notifications” is enabled
Check Do Not Disturb is off
Make sure receiver app is running (can be in background)
Test with a signal while receiver is unlocked

Problem: No haptic feedback

✅ Solutions:

Check that haptics are enabled in iOS Settings
Ensure device is not in Silent mode (haptics still work)
Check that receiver device supports haptics
Restart the receiver app

Permission Issues

Problem: Permission denied

✅ Solutions:

Go to iOS Settings → Tihi
Enable required permissions:
- Bluetooth: On
- Local Network: On
- Notifications: Allow
Restart the app after changing permissions
You can also access permissions from Tihi Settings → Manage Permissions

App Issues

Problem: App crashes or freezes

✅ Solutions:

Force quit the app and reopen
Restart your device
Check for app updates in App Store
Ensure iOS is up to date
Reinstall the app if issue persists

Problem: App running slowly

✅ Solutions:

Close other apps running in background
Restart your device
Check available storage space
Update to latest iOS version

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: Do I need internet to use Tihi? A: No. Tihi works via Bluetooth and Local Network. No internet connection is required once both devices are paired.

Q: Can I use Tihi with more than two devices? A: Currently, Tihi supports one-to-one communication (one sender, one receiver). Multi-device support may come in future updates.

Q: Does Tihi work on iPad? A: Yes! Tihi works on any iOS device running iOS 16.0 or later.

Q: Can I switch between sender and receiver roles? A: Yes. Go to Settings and tap “Send Signals” or “Receive Signals” to change your role.

Q: Is my data private? A: Yes. All communication happens directly between your devices. No data is sent to servers or stored in the cloud.

Technical Questions

Q: How far apart can the devices be? A: Devices should be within 30 feet (10 meters) for reliable connection. Walls and obstacles can reduce this range.

Q: Does Tihi work when the app is closed? A: No. The app must be running (can be in background) on both devices for signals to work.

Q: Will signals work if my phone is locked? A: Yes! Signals will arrive as notifications even when the receiver’s phone is locked. However, the app must still be running in the background.

Q: How long does the connection last? A: The connection stays active as long as both devices are within range and both apps are running. A keep-alive mechanism maintains the connection automatically.

Q: Does Tihi drain my battery? A: Tihi uses Bluetooth Low Energy and is optimized for battery efficiency. Battery impact is minimal during normal use.

Signal Questions

Q: How many signals can I send? A: There’s no limit. You can send as many signals as needed.

Q: Can I customize the signal buttons? A: Currently, the 9 pre-set signals are fixed, but you can use “Custom Signal” to send any message you want.

Q: Can I see when a signal was sent? A: Yes. The receiver can see timestamps for all signals in the history list.

Q: What happens if I send a signal while disconnected? A: The signal won’t be sent. You’ll need to reconnect first. Signal buttons are disabled when not connected.

Privacy & Security

Q: Is the connection encrypted? A: Yes. All communication uses encrypted Bluetooth connections.

Q: Do you collect any data? A: No. We don’t collect, store, or transmit any personal data. Everything stays on your devices.

Q: Can other people see my signals? A: No. Signals are only sent to your paired device. No one else can intercept them.

Account & Pricing

Q: Do I need to create an account? A: No. Tihi doesn’t require any account or login.

Q: Is there a subscription? A: For now, No. Tihi is a free app.

Best Practices

Tips for Using Tihi Effectively

For Senders

Before You Need It:

Test all signals with your receiver to ensure they understand each meaning
Create custom signals for your specific needs
Practice using the app in low-stress situations
Keep your device charged and nearby

During Use:

Check connection status before sending important signals
Use specific signals rather than generic ones when possible
Follow up with custom signals if pre-sets don’t fit
Remember that “I’m Good” signal can reassure your support person

For Receivers

Setup:

Keep notifications enabled at all times
Consider disabling Auto-Lock (Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never)
Keep your device charged
Test haptic feedback to ensure you’ll notice signals

During Use:

Keep the app running in background
Respond promptly to signals
Check signal history to identify patterns
Communicate with sender about which signals work best

For Both

Communication:

Discuss what each signal means before using the app
Create a plan for how to respond to each signal
Review signal history together to improve communication
Be patient during initial setup and learning

Maintenance:

Keep both devices updated to latest iOS version
Update Tihi when new versions are available
Periodically test the connection
Re-pair devices if experiencing persistent issues

Updates & Changelog

Version History

Version 1.0 (Current)

Release Date: October 2025

Features:

9 pre-set signal buttons
Custom signal creation
Direct device-to-device pairing
Instant notifications with haptic feedback
Signal history (last 10 signals)
Connection status indicators
Keep-alive mechanism for stable connections
Full VoiceOver accessibility
Dark mode support

Initial Release Welcome to Tihi! This is our first release focused on simple, reliable silent communication.

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 19, 2025

Data Collection

Tihi does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data. All communication happens directly between your devices via Bluetooth and Local Network.

What We Don’t Collect

No personal information
No signal content
No usage analytics
No device identifiers
No location data
No contact information

Local Storage

The following data is stored locally on your device only:

Your chosen role (Sender or Receiver)
Device name for pairing
Signal history (last 10 signals)
App preferences

This data never leaves your device and can be deleted by uninstalling the app.

Permissions

Tihi requests the following permissions:

Bluetooth: To connect devices for communication
Local Network: To discover nearby devices
Notifications: To alert you of incoming signals

These permissions are used only for core app functionality and no data is transmitted outside the local connection.

Third-Party Services

Tihi does not use any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services.

Children’s Privacy

Tihi does not knowingly collect any information from children. The app is designed to be used under supervision when appropriate.

Changes to Privacy Policy

We will notify users of any changes to this privacy policy through app updates.