Multiple contacts
Up to five contacts in the current prototype, each with an independent authorisation duration, revocation control and normal request phrase.
Android beta · real-device validation in progress
Request a location by SMS.
No Internet connection required.
VeVak does not need Internet access for its core operation. A request arrives by SMS, the phone looks for the best locally available position, then replies by SMS. No mobile data, Wi-Fi or cloud account is required. You can also share a one-time location yourself, and VeVak does not continuously track your movements.
VeVak is entering Google Play testing. The current tester registration form is available on the main French page.
- Open source
- Works without Internet
- Local-first
- No advertising
- No telemetry
Authorised contacts
SMS received
1 Contact verified
2 Phrase verified
3 Authorisation verified
No continuous tracking
The idea
A digital fallback that does less, while keeping its rules understandable.
Many location-sharing tools depend on permanent Internet access, remote accounts and tracking infrastructure. VeVak explores a different route: use SMS and capabilities already present in Android, with local, time-limited and revocable authorisations.
How it works
Four steps. No magic.
The current VeVak core follows a small, bounded path.
- 01
You choose the contacts
The current prototype accepts up to five locally configured contacts. Each has its own number, normal request phrase and 24-hour, 7-day or 30-day authorisation.
- 02
The SMS arrives
VeVak locally checks the contact, their phrase, their authorisation and anti-tracking limits before taking action.
- 03
The best available location information is selected
A trusted Wi-Fi place can avoid a new lookup. Otherwise VeVak prefers recent data, compares Android's cache with its own locally remembered last position, and may then attempt one bounded current-location lookup. A remembered point is never presented as current: its age remains visible.
- 04
A reply is sent
If Android, the mobile network and the available location information allow it, VeVak replies by SMS. The request remains locally visible and automatic replies are globally capped.
Already in the free prototype
The safety baseline does not depend on a subscription.
These capabilities belong to the open-source build currently being validated, not to a future premium tier.
Manual sharing
You can voluntarily send a one-time location to the selected contact after local confirmation, without waiting for an incoming request.
Encrypted backup
Configuration can be exported to a password-encrypted .vvk file and restored on another device. A restore never silently re-authorises contacts.
Anti-surveillance safeguards
Finite authorisations, local revocation, mandatory request visibility, hard rate limits and an optional duress phrase with a preselected fallback location.
Principles
Privacy is not an option buried in settings.
The project starts from a simple idea: the best sensitive data is often the data you never collect.
Local by default
The core does not require a VeVak account, VeVak server or permanent Internet connection.
No permanent tracking
Location is requested on demand. The current core does not perform periodic location tracking.
No ads, no trackers
No advertising SDKs, telemetry or user profiling.
Open source first
The free and open-source version of VeVak remains the reference version. The Google Play build only adds the Google components it needs, kept separate from the rest of the app.
Important limitations
VeVak is not an emergency service.
The core does not require Internet access, but it still depends on mobile-network/SMS availability, Android permissions and the phone's background restrictions. If Android Location services are switched off, VeVak cannot force a new location fix; depending on context it can only use a trusted Wi-Fi place already verified on the same connection or a still-usable locally remembered position.
In an emergency, use official emergency services and your phone's built-in emergency features.
Project status
Build, test and measure before expanding.
The prototype passes automated checks and real-device validation is now in progress.
Now · P0
Real-device validation
- real SMS → location → reply, including screen-off use;
- trusted Wi-Fi and remembered-location behaviour with Android Location switched off;
- several senders and per-contact revocation;
- dual-SIM / eSIM behaviour;
- encrypted export/import across devices;
- battery restrictions and accessibility.
Next · to design
Local VeVak+
Optional convenience features may be studied later, such as several trusted places, response profiles and advanced personalisation. They must never degrade the free safety baseline.
Research
Relay and device recovery
An optional encrypted Internet relay, cross-device convenience or selected recovery features will only be built if their usefulness and threat model are demonstrated.
Contribute
What VeVak needs most right now is real phones and real feedback.
The most useful contributions today involve Android testing, SMS behaviour, dual-SIM devices, accessibility, manufacturer restrictions, security and documentation.
Google Play testing
Want to test VeVak on your Android phone?
The registration form is currently available on the main French page. Submitting your Google Play account email requests access; it does not grant immediate tester access.