Proximity alerts are the core feature of Vicinity. Understanding how they fire helps you get the most out of the app.
What triggers an alert
An alert fires when Vicinity's server detects that you and a mutual friend have both entered within the proximity radius of each other. Both people receive a notification at roughly the same time.
The proximity radius
Vicinity uses a radius of approximately 1–2 miles (roughly 1.5–3 km). This is intentionally large enough to feel useful — close enough to meet up, not so precise that it feels like surveillance. GPS accuracy, device conditions, and background update frequency can cause minor variation.
How often alerts fire
Vicinity is designed to alert once per encounter, not repeatedly. If you and a friend spend an hour in the same area, you'll receive one alert when you first come into range — not one every few minutes. A new alert can fire once sufficient time or distance has passed since the last one.
- Alerts are mutual — both parties always receive the notification.
- You won't receive an alert if the other person has Ghost Mode enabled, or has hidden their location from you.