Frequently Asked Questions

No. smartangel® products require no installation, no additional devices and no extra mobile phone.

All ANG devices are deliberately designed to be easy to use. The ANG1 and ANG3 do not feature a touchscreen at all and are operated using tactile buttons. The ANG2 and ANG4 have a clear touchscreen display; key functions and the emergency call remain easily accessible via a single button. The devices are pre-configured by us and delivered ready for immediate use.

By pressing and holding the emergency button (for 3–4 seconds). If successful, an SOS symbol will appear on the display, accompanied by a vibration, an audible alert and the call being connected automatically.

The pre-registered contacts and/or the emergency call centre are called automatically in turn until someone answers the call.

The emergency call centre will answer the call if it is listed as one of the three emergency contacts. With the smartangel® Assistance Service, the emergency call centre is automatically set up as a back-up.

By briefly pressing the emergency button on the device or tapping the red handset icon on the display.

The emergency call ends automatically if the person being called hangs up or the connection is severed by the system.

Device settings, communication, monitoring intervals and location tracking can be customised via the portal to suit individual needs – without the need for family members, carers or a technician to be present on site. smartangel® combines a traditional emergency call function with fall detection and location tracking; ANG1, ANG2 and ANG4 supplement this with health metrics such as heart rate, oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and blood pressure. These readings serve as reference values and are not a substitute for a medical diagnosis.

Our solutions are equally suitable for private households, care homes, nursing homes, home care services, specialist retailers and advice centres – with appropriate partnership models. We currently support customers aged between 30 and 99: from traditional emergency call systems for older people to bespoke solutions for dementia, health monitoring or use in care homes and residential care facilities.

By default, three contacts can be stored, one of which can be our emergency call centre.

Yes – with the ‘Assistance Service’ option for CHF 5 a month, you can save as many contacts as you like. The following are also covered:

• Call duration in 5-second increments
• Day/night call chain
• Combox/answering machine bypass (the call chain is not interrupted)
• The emergency call centre is always on standby 24/7 as a back-up in case none of the emergency contacts are available to take the call

No problem – in that case, our emergency call centre will be entered directly as the first emergency contact.

People you trust, such as family members, neighbours or carers.

Yes – they should be aware of their responsibilities, agree to them and be contactable. You can let us know if they will be away on holiday – we will change the order of the emergency contacts according to your wishes.

With ANG2 and ANG4, you can store up to ten contacts in your phone book and call them at any time free of charge.

Our emergency call centre first assesses whether it is an emergency. If so, a decision is made based on the situation: where possible, the other emergency contacts are called first or asked to check the premises. If it is not possible to establish contact with either the customer or the SOS contacts, the nearest police control centre and/or ambulance service is called out.

You can either leave one or more keys with emergency contacts in your local area, or install a key safe or key box. We are happy to provide this service – with or without self-assembly.

ANG1, ANG2 and ANG4 can measure heart rate, oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure as reference values. ANG3 does not have a vital signs monitoring function.

Many medical emergencies, such as cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks or a risk of falling, are often foreshadowed by symptoms or vital signs. Automated measurements provide important insights into changes in a person’s state of health and any abnormalities over a specific period of time. The measured values are reference values that can serve as a basis for medical assessments by your doctor or healthcare professionals.

For ANG1, ANG2 and ANG4, you can view the measurement periods on the smartangel® portal or manually trigger a single measurement directly on the watch.

Yes, you can do that at any time via the portal.

The heart rate and oxygen saturation readings are comparable to those from a pulse oximeter. When measuring blood pressure, the readings may differ – usually being lower – from those of conventional cuff-based devices, as the sensor-controlled measurement is carried out without compression. Movement, an incorrectly worn device or anatomical factors can also affect the reading.

Steps and movements.

Via GPS, Wi-Fi or GSM. The location is displayed in the portal or in the emergency text message and can be manually updated there at any time.

Yes – the smartangel® system checks the last automatically recorded location and sends it via text message. You can manually trigger or check the location at any time via the web link in the text message or directly on the portal.

The ANG1, ANG2, ANG3 and ANG4 products have a built-in fall sensor. This detects movement patterns or potential fall situations based on velocity profiles or impacts, and automatically triggers the alarm chain.

Yes – the sensitivity of the fall sensor can be adjusted individually via the portal or switched off completely.

Brand-name smartwatches are not, by their very nature, emergency call systems – so a direct comparison is difficult. They offer many functions and apps, but come with significant limitations in an emergency context: the mandatory purchase of the device, the requirement for a paired smartphone of the same brand, shorter battery life, a complex set-up process, no option for operation or configuration by family members or external carers, voice communication often only available on expensive models with a SIM card, no emergency management by trained staff, no replacement device once the warranty has expired, and waiting times for repairs. For many older people or those with pre-existing conditions (e.g. dementia), they are therefore rather unsuitable as emergency devices.

ANG1, ANG2 and ANG4: around 2–4 days. ANG3: around 7 days.

When the battery reaches 15%, the message ‘The battery needs charging’ is played – the device should be connected to the charging cable within approximately 2 hours. When the battery reaches 10%, a text message is also sent to the emergency contacts. When the battery is fully charged, the message ‘The battery is fully charged’ is played. The charge level is shown on the display (full, three-quarters, half, a quarter).

Around 30–45 minutes for daily charging, and around 2 hours when the battery is flat.

ANG1, ANG2 and ANG4 are dust-tight, splash-proof and shower-proof to IP67/IP68 – not suitable for use whilst bathing. The ANG3 protector is dust-tight and splash-proof – not suitable for use whilst bathing or showering.

Any time. It rings briefly and you’re put through straight away – without the wearer having to actively answer the call.

It’s similar to a mobile phone. You get the best sound quality at a speaking distance of around 5–10 cm, but the quality remains good even at greater distances (e.g. with your arms outstretched after a fall). The volume can be adjusted directly on the watch for ANG2 and ANG4.

All devices are supplied by smartangel® fully configured to your individual specifications. All you need to do is switch the device on and put it on – that’s it!

Many settings can be changed at any time via the portal. Our support team is available from Monday to Friday, 8 am–6 pm, to help with matters such as contacts, the fall sensor, vital signs intervals or GPS settings.

Not at the moment – but the portal can be accessed from any mobile device using a username and password (smartphone, tablet, PC, laptop).

No – the devices are always included in our all-inclusive subscriptions and cannot be purchased separately. However, faulty or damaged devices are normally replaced free of charge, and after two years, every device is automatically replaced.

Yes.

The selected device, system and portal access, the emergency call functions associated with the device, as well as support and call charges within the contractually agreed coverage area. The shop displays all one-off and optional costs before purchase.

3-month trial subscription, half-yearly and annual subscriptions.

Yes – any time already used will be taken into account or deducted. A fee of CHF 50 applies for the change (replacement, postage and setting up the device).

Use outside Switzerland depends on the device, the SIM card used, the available mobile network and the service selected. Please contact us before travelling so that we can check availability for your destination country and the emergency solution you require. The services provided by an emergency call centre may be subject to regional restrictions.

The 3-month subscription ends automatically after 3 months – we will contact you to discuss the next steps. For the 6- and 12-month subscriptions, a notice period of 1 month before expiry applies; otherwise, the subscription will be automatically renewed. For the 12-month subscription, in the event of death, we will refund up to 6 months’ subscription fee to the heirs (upon presentation of a death certificate).

The device must be returned with the charging cable. The subscription ends at the end of the relevant subscription period.

Depending on the situation – we recommend that you check directly with your health insurance provider or send them the invoice.

Smartwatches have significantly lower transmission power than, for example, smartphones. The SAR value measures how much radiation energy the body absorbs – according to EU standards, these values are well below the legal limits.

Data is transmitted in encrypted form and protected by technical and organisational measures. Information on the service providers we use, the locations where data is processed and the rights of data subjects can be found in our privacy policy.

This depends on the device, the SIM card, network coverage and the service you have booked. We would be happy to check the coverage for your specific destination in advance. Emergency call centres and other services may differ or be unavailable outside Switzerland.

From the smartangel® shop or via one of our specialist retail partners. If this is not possible due to a lack of mobility or access to technology, we can also take orders over the phone – we will send you the completed forms to sign.

Yes – we work with advice centres and specialist retailers and are actively expanding our network.

Possible in some cases, subject to agreement.

The 3-month trial subscription is perfect for giving it a go. It ends automatically after 3 months, and we’ll get in touch with you to discuss the next steps together.

Please give us a call – devices are usually replaced free of charge within 24 hours. After two years, smartangel® devices are automatically replaced, free of charge, with new ones or, if necessary, different models.