Frequently Asked Questions

The basics

What is Squad?

Squad lets a parent (a "Squad Leader") post jobs — rides, babysitting, errands, household chores, and pet care — to their own trusted roster of local helpers ("Squad Members"). Everyone gets notified at once, and the first Member to accept has the job. No more group-text scramble.

Is Squad free to use?

Squad is free to download. Being a Squad Member is always free — nothing to pay, no payment screen anywhere, and that will never change. Child sign-ins are free too. Squad Leaders, the parents who run a Squad and post jobs, get a 1-month free trial and then it's $6.99/month. Cancel anytime.

Is Squad on Android?

Not yet — Squad is currently iPhone only. Android is on our roadmap.

Getting started

How do I build my Squad?

Invite the sitters, drivers, students, and neighbors you already know and trust. You can text them an invite straight from the app with your Squad's join code. The sweet spot is 4 to 6 members — enough that someone's almost always free, small enough that you know every one.

What's a Squad code?

Every Squad has a short, memorable join code — a word plus three digits, like MAPLE427. A helper enters it (in any capitalization) when they sign up, which sends the Leader a request to join. Nothing happens until the Leader approves.

Can someone join my Squad without my permission?

No. Entering your code only creates a request. You see who's asking — their name and photo — and you approve or decline. Members receive nothing until you approve them.

Why do notifications matter so much?

Jobs go to whoever accepts first, so Members need the heads-up the moment a job posts. Turn notifications ON when the app asks — a Member without notifications will miss jobs entirely.

Jobs

What kinds of jobs can I post?

Rides (one-way or round trip), babysitting, errands (with an optional shopping checklist your helper can tick off as they shop), household chores, pet care tied to your pet profiles, and an "Other" category for things like lifeguarding or garden help.

Who sees my job?

Only your approved Members who signed up for that job type — babysitting jobs go to babysitters, rides to drivers, and so on. You can also hand-pick specific members to give a first look, and widen it later if the job's still open. On each job you can see who has viewed it, who hasn't opened it, and who declined, and send up to two instant reminders.

Can I repost a regular job without retyping it?

Yes — open any past job and tap "Post Again." Everything pre-fills; just set the new date and time.

Payments

How does payment work?

Squad takes no cut of what you pay your sitter — not a percentage, not a fee. Squad doesn't process payments between families and helpers, and never charges your card for a job. You and the Squad Member agree on the compensation when the job is posted, and you settle up directly — cash, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal. All of that happens outside the app; Squad only shows a Member's preferred method and handle so you know how to pay them. The Squad Leader subscription is a separate thing, billed by Apple — see "What does Squad cost?" below.

How do helpers get paid?

Directly by you, outside the app — Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, or cash. Each Member sets their preference, and on a completed job you get a one-tap link to pay them their way, plus a "Mark as Paid" checkbox to keep track.

Subscription

What does Squad cost?

It's $6.99/month for Squad Leaders, and it starts with a 1-month free trial. You're only charged if you're still around after the free month. Cancel anytime.

Do my Squad Members have to pay?

No, never. Only Squad Leaders subscribe. Your Members and any child sign-ins you create use Squad completely free, forever, and are never shown a payment screen.

Does each parent need their own subscription?

No. One Squad per household. Both parents can sign in to the same Squad Leader account on their own phones and share one subscription.

How do I cancel?

Subscriptions are handled by Apple, so you cancel in your Apple ID settings (Settings → your name → Subscriptions → Squad), or tap "Manage in Apple ID settings" in Edit Profile. Cancelling during the free month means you're never charged. Refunds are handled by Apple too.

What happens if I cancel?

Nothing is deleted. Your Squad, your Members, your children and pets, and your entire job history all stay exactly where they are. The only thing that pauses is posting new jobs. Any job already open keeps running normally, Members can still accept and complete it, and you can still mark it complete and pay. Resubscribe whenever you like and posting turns straight back on.

I was here before Squad had a subscription. Do I have to pay?

No. Every Squad Leader who joined before the subscription launched keeps full access free, forever, as a founding family. You'll never see a payment screen, and there's nothing you need to do.

I already used my free month. What will I be charged?

Apple only gives each Apple ID one free trial of a subscription. If you've had it before, you'll see $6.99/month with no trial, and Squad will say so up front rather than promising a free month Apple won't give you.

I paid but Squad says I don't have access.

Tap "Restore Purchases" in Edit Profile (or on the subscription screen). That re-checks your Apple ID and turns access back on. It's also what to use after getting a new phone.

Kids and families

What does my child see?

You can create a simple child account (a username and PIN you manage). Your child's app shows one thing: who is picking them up for a hired ride — the driver's name, photo, and car. Nothing else.

Can I share my Squad with another family?

Yes — Squad introductions let you share selected members with another Leader you know. It's consent all the way down: only members who opted in can be shared, the receiving parent accepts who they want, and each member confirms before joining the new Squad. Phone numbers are only exchanged once both sides say yes.

Does Squad vet or background-check helpers?

No — and that's by design. Your Squad is made of people you personally invited and approved: the sitters and neighbors your family already trusts. Many parents like to FaceTime or meet a newly introduced helper before their first job. You're always in control of who's in your Squad.

Troubleshooting

The app looks out of date or something isn't working.

Fully close the app (swipe up) and reopen it — updates download in the background and apply on the next launch. Still stuck? Use the Send Feedback link in the app or email us.

How do I get help or suggest a feature?

We'd love to hear from you: hello@your-squad-app.com, or the Send Feedback link inside the app. A real person reads every message.