Emergency contacts and SOS
Coming soon. The SOS button, trusted-contact alerts, and live trip sharing are part of Ryde's safety build, launching with the app. This article describes how these features will work so you know what to expect.
Adding emergency contacts
You can add up to three trusted contacts in Account > Safety > Trusted contacts. These are people (family, a close friend) who Ryde can alert if something goes wrong during a trip.
For each contact, store their name and phone number. You do not need them to have the Ryde app.
The SOS button
During any active trip, a SOS button is visible in the bottom bar of the ride screen. It is designed to be reachable in a single tap, even if you are uncomfortable acting openly.
When you press it:
- Your emergency contacts are notified immediately with your live location and trip details (driver name, plate, vehicle).
- The Ryde safety team is alerted and a team member reviews the case.
- The app shows Kenya emergency numbers (999 / 112) with a direct-dial option.
Silent mode
If you need to raise an alert without the driver noticing, press SOS and choose Silent alert. Your contacts and the Ryde safety team are notified with no sound, no on-screen confirmation, and no change to the app's appearance.
Live trip sharing
You can share your live trip at any time without triggering an SOS. During a trip, tap Share trip and choose WhatsApp, SMS, or copy link. The recipient receives a live web link (no app required) that shows:
- Your current position, updating in real time
- The driver's first name, photo, and vehicle plate
- The planned route and estimated arrival time
- Trip status (en route, arrived, completed)
The link expires automatically when the trip ends.
Automatic sharing for night trips
If you have set a Female drivers only night-time default (for example, after 9 PM), your trusted contacts receive the live trip link automatically at the start of every qualifying trip. You do not need to remember to send it.
After the trip: reporting an incident
If something made you uncomfortable during a trip but was not an emergency, go to Activity > Trip > Report an issue after the trip. Reports go to the Ryde safety team for human review, not an automated filter.
Driver safety
Drivers have their own SOS button in the Driver app for situations where they feel unsafe with a passenger. Misuse of the SOS feature by either party is a permanent ban.
What data is shared in an SOS
When an SOS is triggered, Ryde shares your name, live location, trip details (driver name, plate, vehicle), and a live map link with your emergency contacts via SMS. This data is used solely for the emergency and is not stored beyond what is required for the safety review. See the privacy policy for full detail.
