Operational Guide for the Bluetooth (Sidekick) Panic Button

This article explains how to pair, locate, disconnect, and update the firmware on our bluetooth panic buttons (sidekicks).

When a bluetooth (sidekick) panic button is paired with a smart device, an alert may be initiated from the React Mobile iOS or Android application remotely by initiating the bluetooth panic button with a 3 second hold or pressing the device 3 times in rapid succession. The sidekick allows an alert to be sent discreetly, without having to open the smart device and find the application during an emergency.

Once paired to a smart device, the corresponding device and Sidekick should always be issued together, as the button is now tethered to that specific device.

How to Pair the Bluetooth Panic Button to a Smart Device

1. From the smart device, launch the React Mobile Hospitality application. Tap on the "Pair" tab at the bottom of the screen.
2. Bring the Sidekick close to the device, then tap on "Pair a Button." Answer “Yes” to Location On Always or While Using Device, and “Yes” to Allow Access to Bluetooth. The app will indicate "Scanning...Connecting..."
3. Once connected, the Sidekick will flash a solid green light for one second. The app now displays options to "Disconnect" or "Locate Button."
   • Some operating systems may not offer the option to "Always" use Location Services. Go to device Settings, search for the React Mobile app permissions, and set the device to "Always" allow Location Access for the most accurate beacon location to populate in alerts.

Important items to note:

• The two devices will remain connected as long as they are within about 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.
• If they are separated and the Bluetooth range limit has been reached, the Sidekick will lose signal, disconnect from the smart device and begin to flash green rapidly. The flashing green means the button is signaling that it is no longer paired, so it can not initiate an alert while in this state.
• If unpaired, the app will indicate "No Button Paired" instead of "Paired and Connected" and will send a notification alerting the user, “WARNING: Sidekick Disconnected. Please re-pair your device.”
• Once the devices are back within Bluetooth range of each other, the button will automatically reconnect to the previously paired smart device; the button flashes green once when paired.

How to Locate the Bluetooth Panic Button from a Smart Device

• From the "Pair" tab on the smart device, press "Locate Button".
• The paired sidekick will flash blue and green indicating that it is paired to that smart device.

How to Disconnect or "Un-Pair" the Bluetooth Panic Button from a Smart Device

• To 'un-pair' the sidekick from the smart device, from the home page on the React Mobile Hospitality application, tap on the button that says "Disconnect from Button."
• The screen on the smart device will revert back to displaying "Pair a Button," and the un-paired sidekick will flash green rapidly to confirm this was successful.

How to Update the Bluetooth Panic Button Firmware

• The Sidekick firmware version is displayed towards the bottom of the screen on the mobile application. If an update is needed, the app will indicate "UPDATE FIRMWARE" rather than "Up To Date." 
• To update the Sidekick firmware, tap on "UPDATE FIRMWARE." The process takes under a minute.
• Once completed, the display screen on the mobile application will read "Up To Date."

For a Spanish version of the above article, navigate to Operational Guide for the Bluetooth (Sidekick) Panic Button (Spanish).