Set-up Details
Download PittSAFE
Download PittSAFE on the App Store or Google Play
Set-Up
When launching the app for the first time, you will be prompted to allow notifications and download required assets. These are custom icons and app content that are required for the app to diplsay properly. Accept both prompts to ensure you receive notifications and the app functions as expected.
Signing In
PittSAFE supports Pitt Passport Single Sign-On (SSO), allowing University community members to sign in using their Pitt credentials. Signing in provides access to authenticated features and a personalized experience..
Guest sign up is available for PittSAFE users who do not have Pitt credentials.
Pitt Users: Choose "Sign In with Pitt Passport" to log in with your Pitt Credentials.
Others: Choose "Sign in / Sign Up" to register an account with your Name and Email and sign in.
Selecting a Campus
After signing in to the app, users will be prompted to choose the campus that is most relevant to them, including Pittsburgh, Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, or Titusville.
This allows PittSAFE to provide campus-specific alerts, resources, maps, and information.
To change your campus, go to "About/Preferences" from the home screen and choose "Change Selected Campus"
Managing Notifications
To receive important emergency and safety updates, users should enable push notifications when prompted.
Notification settings can be adjusted at any time through the app's "About/Preferences" menu from the home screen.
Device specific settings of Notifications can also be managed through your device's options and settings.
Using PittSAFE features
Mobile BlueLight
Activate Mobile BlueLight to send your device's location and initiate a call to Pitt Police Dispatch (412-624-2121).
Dispatchers will receive your location in real-time and can talk to you on the phone if you chose to initiate the call option.
Please note: Your device must have calling capabilities and location services enabled for this app to use this feature.
Safety Toolbox
Quick tools to Call 911, Contact Pitt Police, or view Pitt Alerts and Campus Public Safety Resources.
Chat with Pitt Police
Tap the Chat button to report info and chat with Pitt Police Dispatch in real-time.
Pitt Police Dispatch may not be able to respond immediately to chats. If you are able and it is safe to do so, it is recommended that you "Call Pitt Police" from the user menu, or Call 911.
Please note: you must be connected to a WiFi or Cellular network to access this feature.
Safety Timers
There are two ways to use the Safety Timer feature: Friend Walk and Virtual Walkhome.
Friend Walk
Send your your location in real-time to a friend so they can watch you as you walk to your destination! They'll watch you and can trigger a call to emergency services if necessary.
Here's how it works:
- Tap the button below and pick a contact to send your location.
- Your friend will receive the message with a link. When they click it, they'll be taken to a map with your location and you'll be connected to them. If you want to cancel your request, simply return to the main menu.
- Pick your destination and start moving.
- If you have an emergency, hit the button to notify your friend and initiate an emergency call.
- If you or your friend disconnects, it will end the walk and give you the option to make an emergency call (just in case!).
- When you reach your destination, finish your trip and disconnect.
Click here to see a demo of how Friend Walk Works
Virtual Walkhome
Virtual Walkhome lets Pitt Police Dispatch monitor your walk and enhances your safety. Should anything happen along the journey to your destination, you can initiate a panic call that immediately alerts Pitt Police Dispatch to your location.
Walks are automatically timed based on your estimated arrival, and Pitt Police Dispatch is notified if your walk takes longer than expected. If your trip expires or you press the panic button, dispatchers receive an alert and can access your full walk history for that session.
Here's how it works:
- Select your destination right at the start of your walk, ensuring every event has a destination and an estimated trip duration.
- Begin your walk
- If your journey takes longer than initially expected, you can easily add time to your ongoing walk in 1 or 5-minute increments, up to a maximum of 2 hours.
- If you need assistance at any time, simply tap "Emergency" to trigger a panic alert, which will instantly notify dispatch and open your phone's call dialer for an option to call Pitt Police
- When you reach your destination, tap "Finish Tracking". If the trip timer runs out, the walk is considered "Expired," and dispatch will be notified via a ticket.
I'm OK!
"I'm OK" sends your location and a message indicating that "You're OK" to a recipient of your choosing via your device's installed email or text messaging applications.
Use this button to generate a message with your location after an emergency situation to notify your friends and family that you're "OK"!
Report a Tip
If this is an emergency, "Call Pitt Police" or call 911. The online tip forms are not monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Submit a tip report for an ON-CAMPUS incident by filling out the "In-App Tip Form", "Call Pitt Police," or "Chat with Pitt Police."
A form to submit a tip with required information will appear. After submission, you may receive a phone call or invitation to chat via push notification in the PittSAFE app so that Pitt Police can gather additional information if needed.
For any OFF-CAMPUS tips that are non-University related, please choose the option for the City of Pittsburgh's "Submit a Tip" Page.
Emergency Guidelines
Students, faculty and staff who are prepared for disasters or emergencies, result in fewer impacts to the University and a quicker recovery process. Use this feature in the app to access important safety protocol at the following site: https://www.safety.pitt.edu/safety-resources/potential-hazards
Campus Resources
This section provides links to various campus resources for the Pittsburgh and Regional Campuses
Campus Map
This section displays a campus map of the Pittsburgh Campus, with various points of interest, locations of accessible entrances, ongoing construction, and more.
Gameday Info
Use the Gameday Info feature to access Pitt Athletics' Gameday Website with current event information.
Submit a tip to Pitt Police with the Gameday Issue form to report issues for On-Campus Venues.
For Off-Campus venues, including Acrisure Stadium, follow the in-stadium security instructions/procedures.
Pitt Police Social Media
Stay connected with links to the official Pitt Police Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram accounts.