AvanaHelp
Setting up, keeping location working in the background, and answers to the questions families ask first.
Getting started
Install and sign in
Open the app and enter your mobile number. We send a one-time code. There is no password.
Create or join a nest
The first person creates the nest and shares the invite code. Everyone else chooses "I have a code".
Allow location all the time
Android asks twice. Choose "While using the app" first, then "Allow all the time" on the second screen.
Stop the phone from closing it
Most phones in India close background apps to save battery. Change one setting, listed below, so Avana keeps running.
Keep Avana running in the background
If a family member's position keeps going stale, this is almost always why. Find the phone's brand and change the setting once.
| Phone | Where to go | What to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Settings › Apps › Avana › Battery saver. Also Settings › Apps › Permissions › Autostart. | No restrictions, and Autostart on |
| Oppo, Realme | Settings › Battery › App battery management › Avana | Allow background activity, and Allow auto launch |
| Vivo, iQOO | Settings › Battery › Background power consumption management › Avana | Allow high background power |
| Samsung | Settings › Apps › Avana › Battery | Unrestricted, and remove it from Sleeping apps |
| OnePlus | Settings › Battery › Battery optimisation › Avana | Don't optimise |
Phone makers move these menus between versions. If yours looks different, search Settings for "battery" and look for Avana in the list of apps, or write to us with your phone model.
When something looks wrong
A position is old
The phone may be off, out of battery, without signal, or the app was closed by the phone. Check the background setting above. Positions queue up and arrive once the phone is back online.
No alerts are arriving
Open Settings in the app. If it says alerts are off, allow notifications for Avana in your phone's settings. Make sure the place is not muted.
The position is in the wrong spot
Indoors, a phone can be off by 50 metres or more. Avana shows the accuracy next to each position and ignores readings that are too vague to trust.
Questions
How much does it cost?
Nothing during early access. Nobody is charged without agreeing to it first.
Will it drain the battery?
Avana sends a position about every four minutes while sharing is on. It does not stream constantly. Measuring the real battery cost on the phones families use is part of early access.
Can someone track me without my knowledge?
No. You join a nest only by entering an invite code yourself, everyone in it can see everyone else, and a permanent notification on your phone shows when sharing is on.
Why does it need location "all the time"?
Without background location, your family only sees where you were the last time you opened the app. Arrival alerts depend on it. You can still pause, or limit sharing to set hours.
What happens when I pause sharing?
Your position stops updating and your nest sees "paused" next to your name. They do not see a frozen position pretending to be current.
Can I be in more than one nest?
Yes. For example one for your household and one that includes grandparents. You switch between them in the Nest tab.
How do I delete everything?
Settings, then Delete my account. Your location history is removed immediately. You can also erase just your history and keep the account.
Does it work on iPhone?
Not yet. Avana is Android only for now. An iPhone version is planned.
Which cities does it work in?
Anywhere in India with mobile data. Nothing in the app is tied to one city.
Which languages does it support?
English only for now.
Does it work outside India?
Avana is set up for India only for now.
Still stuck?
Write to hello@avana.wrkflo-tech.com with your phone model and what you see.