# BackcountrySOS — Be prepared. > Emergency location and status sender for outdoor incidents. (iPhone/iPad app by Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation Inc.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backcountrysos/id1435916178 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435916177) - Category: Travel, Medical - Price: Free - Rating: 4.70/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.0 · 13 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2018-10-04 - Data updated: 2026-06-04 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backcountrysos/id1435916178/reviews.md ## What is BackcountrySOS? Even with the best preparation, skills and behavior, sometimes accidents happen. If they do, BackcountrySOS is a simple-to-use smartphone app that allows you to quickly get your status and location information to emergency personnel. • Low power. It will only use your phone's GPS for the brief period where it fetches your location. • High contrast. The app is easy to read in bright sunlight, and won't kill your vision at night. • No setup. You don't need to setup an account or login. If it's on your phone, the app is ready to use when you need it. • Data efficient. The app works as long as you have enough signal to squeeze out a text message. It will work in places where you can't get data access or make a voice call. • Private. Information about you is stored only on your device, not on a central server. You control what information is sent when sending an SOS message. The app works wherever text-to-911 service is available. Almost 1,500 counties support text-to-911 with more added each month. Additionally, a growing list of first-responders specifically monitor for BackcountrySOS communication. If you'd like your search-and-rescue region added to the app, please contact us. Free access to the BackcountrySOS app is made possible by the generous support of the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation as part of their BackcountyZero project. If you find the app helpful and wish to support its continued development, please consider making a donation. ## Key features - Quick SOS messaging - Low power GPS usage - High contrast display - No account setup required - Works with minimal cell signal - Private data storage ## Recent user reviews (7 of 7) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backcountrysos/id1435916178/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Android? *2025-11-14, version 1.35* I’m trying to download for a friend on her android phone and it’s not available. Please make available on android phone. Also make available international ### 3/5 — Self Test Fail *2025-06-14, version 1.35* The Self Test feature of this app no longer functions. This diminishes my confidence in its use during a true emergency. I have tried several times to bring this to the attention of the developer but there has been no response. ### 2/5 — Self Test Fail *2025-03-30* The Self Test feature of this app no longer functions. This severely diminishes my confidence in its use during a true emergency. I have tried several times to bring this to the attention of the developer but there has been no response. ### 1/5 — Good concept but clunky & slow *2019-11-07, version 1.12* The app itself is well designed and I like the concept. However after waiting upwards of 2 min for it to get my location and many steps, message that it probably won’t work in my area, I gave up. It would have been faster and easier to just launch my phones text app, copy and paste coordinates from my other GPS apps and text 911. ### 5/5 — LIFE SAVER! *2019-01-06, version 1.12* This could be the difference between life or death. Thank you TCSAR! Easy to use. Just a suggestion; how about a safety checklist within the app for those in need of rescue like what to do or not to do I while waiting for SAR. ### 5/5 — Great BC app *2018-12-20, version 1.9* Works great. Simple and functional. It’s a must have for back country users in Teton County Wyoming. Thx TCSAR. ### 5/5 — Great concept! *2018-10-04, version 1.9* Providing accurate coordinates to first responders can save your life. This app makes that easy. ## Frequently asked questions about BackcountrySOS ### How does BackcountrySOS help in emergencies? BackcountrySOS allows you to quickly send your current location and status information to emergency personnel. It's designed to be used when you need to get help fast, even if you have limited cell service. ### Does BackcountrySOS require an internet connection? No, BackcountrySOS is data efficient and works as long as you have enough signal to send a text message. It functions in places where data access or voice calls are not possible. ### Is BackcountrySOS free to use? Yes, BackcountrySOS is free to use. Its development and availability are made possible by the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation as part of their BackcountryZero project. ### What devices does BackcountrySOS support? BackcountrySOS is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed to be compatible with Apple's mobile operating systems. ### How often is BackcountrySOS updated? The latest version of BackcountrySOS is 1.35, last updated on October 21, 2022. Updates typically include improvements and feature enhancements. ### Is my personal information kept private with BackcountrySOS? Yes, BackcountrySOS prioritizes privacy. Information about you is stored only on your device, and you control what data is sent when you issue an SOS message. ### Where can I use BackcountrySOS? BackcountrySOS works wherever text-to-911 service is available, which is supported in nearly 1,500 counties and growing. Some first responders also specifically monitor for BackcountrySOS communications. ### Does BackcountrySOS have ads? No, BackcountrySOS does not contain advertisements. It is a free application supported by a foundation dedicated to search and rescue. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.35 — 2022-10-21 Minor updates ### 1.34 — 2021-12-29 Add Grand County, UT, Missoula County, MT, and Teton County, ID ### 1.30 — 2021-03-03 Add Rawlins 911 in Carbon County, WY ### 1.28 — 2021-01-30 Add Boise County, ID. ### 1.26 — 2020-12-31 Added Blaine County, ID to the list of counties that specifically monitor BackcountrySOS ## Apps similar to BackcountrySOS | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Road Trip Ryan Trip Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/road-trip-ryan-trip-guide/id1135193342) | 4.9 (556) | Free | Travel | | [Yellowstone SPOTR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yellowstone-spotr/id1179131928) | 5.0 (15) | Free | Travel | | [Sun Valley Resort](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sun-valley-resort/id737627323) | 4.7 (3,481) | Free | Travel | | [START On-demand](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-on-demand/id1594026146) | 4.7 (90) | Free | Travel | | [Bridger Bowl](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bridger-bowl/id1596372156) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Travel | --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-04.*