Family sharing, explained
How DoseBeacon family sharing works.
Plain answers about what's shared, who can see it, when it arrives, and what the app can't know.
Joining
A code starts a request. You approve it.
1. Share the circle code
The primary caregiver shares a circle code privately. The code only identifies the circle. It doesn't unlock anything by itself.
2. Helper sends a request
The helper enters the code and their name in DoseBeacon. Nothing about the patient is shown to them yet.
3. You approve and choose a role
The owner or a medication manager approves or denies the request and picks a role. Requests expire after 24 hours.
4. Their device gets its own key
Only then does the helper's device receive its own access key, stored in the iPhone Keychain. Each device can be revoked separately.
Syncing
Every screen says how current it is.
DoseBeacon doesn't claim to be live. Phones share when they have a connection and refresh when opened, when pulled down, and every so often while open.
- Saved on this device. Sharing pending.
The report is safely on this phone and waiting for a connection or server confirmation.
- Shared record updated.
The server confirmed it received the report. Other phones will see it the next time they refresh.
- Updated 8:12 AM
When this phone last received the circle's record. Pull down to refresh.
- May be out of date
No update for more than 10 minutes, or the phone is offline. Treat what you see with care.
- Needs review
Two or more reports disagree about the same dose. Both are kept until a person reviews them.
Offline works. Reminders, logging and history live on the device.
Retries are safe. Every report has a unique ID, so a resend never creates a duplicate.
Nothing is overwritten. Corrections are added to the history, and the original stays.
Try it
See pending and conflicting records for yourself.
Interactive demo · fictional people & medicine
Tap around. Try going offline. Make a conflict.
It's 8:00 AM. Rose's morning reminder is due.
Rose's iPhone
Senior Mode · takes the medicine
Morning · 8:00 AM
Example Med A
10 mg · 1 tablet
Label says: with breakfast
Shared record up to date
Dana's iPhone
Primary caregiver · daughter
Caregiver Pulse · Rose
Example Med A · 8:00 AM
Not confirmed yet
8:00 AM · nothing reported
Shared record up to date
Sam's iPhone
Dose-logging helper · son
Caregiver Pulse · Rose
Example Med A · 8:00 AM
Not confirmed yet
8:00 AM · nothing reported
Shared record up to date
Try the conflict: set Sam offline, tap his “Dose given”, then tap Rose's LOG AS TAKEN. Bring Sam back online and watch Dana's phone.
Nothing auto-resolves. DoseBeacon never picks a winner or suggests another dose. It shows both reports and asks the family to review.
Everything shared. In the real app, sharing needs an internet connection. Reminders work offline.
Family sharing FAQ
How can family caregivers share a medication log?
In DoseBeacon, the primary caregiver creates a Care Circle and approves each helper. Every dose report is saved on the phone where it was made, then shared through DoseBeacon's server when there's a connection. Other approved phones download it when they refresh.
Does family sharing use iCloud?
No. DoseBeacon uses its own sharing service so helpers don't need to share an Apple Account. Each approved device gets its own access key, and only a scrambled (hashed) copy of that key is stored on the server.
What happens when a phone is offline?
Reminders and logging keep working. New reports are saved on the phone and marked “Sharing pending”. When the phone reconnects they're shared, even after several days. Other family members can't see them until then.
What if two people log the same dose?
Both reports are kept exactly as made, and the dose is flagged “Needs review” on every phone that has both. DoseBeacon never picks one, merges them or suggests another dose.
How do I remove someone?
The owner or a manager can revoke a device at any time in Care Circle. That device's key stops working right away; its next attempt to sync is refused and the app shows that access has ended.
How long is shared history kept on the server?
Shared dose records are kept on the server for about 400 days so reports can cover long periods. Your own device keeps its full history until you delete the app or its data.
Want reminders and a shared record, too?
DoseBeacon turns your list into large-text reminders on iPhone and iPad, and can share reported doses with the family members you approve.
Free to download. Free plan includes reminders, 2 active medications and 1 helper.