What happened to the Road ID app?
The Road ID app was renamed SafeBeacon in early 2026 and is now run by a new company, SafeSignal Inc. It is the same app with the same App Store listing: the ROAD iD: Run + Ride Safety app became SafeBeacon in the version 4.5 updates, and existing accounts, contacts and subscriptions carried over. Old roadid.com app pages now redirect to safebeacon.com. Road ID, the company that makes engraved ID bracelets, is a separate business and still sells them.
What changed, and what to do about it
01Look for SafeBeacon, not Road ID
The App Store now lists the app as SafeBeacon: Safety Tracker, sold by SafeSignal Inc, under the same App Store id (1588616662). If you already had it installed, an update renamed it on your phone. SafeBeacon's help page says your existing ROAD iD login still works with the same email address.
02Know that your bracelet is unaffected
Roadid.com today sells wrist, shoe and watch-band IDs and the online iD PROFILE service, with no app on the site. Your bracelet and its engraved details never depended on the app, so nothing about it changed.
03Check what you are paying
SafeBeacon is free to download with in-app subscriptions. As of September 28, 2026, its App Store listing shows a $5.99 monthly plan and a $49.99 annual plan, plus a $29.99 annual item. SafeBeacon's help page says existing subscriptions transferred automatically, so review your subscription settings to see which one you are on.
04Test it with your contacts before a long outing
Ownership changes are a good moment for a quick test. Start a short activity at home, confirm your contacts get the tracking link by text or email, and check the map opens for them. SafeBeacon's help page says its stationary alert fires if you stay within about 15 feet for five minutes or longer, so stand still once and see what your contacts receive.
05Decide whether to stay or switch
If SafeBeacon works well for you and the price is fine, staying is reasonable. If you mainly want someone at home to follow your run or ride for free, compare it with free Road ID app alternatives and our side-by-side Holler vs SafeBeacon comparison.
Related questions
Is the Road ID app gone?
No. It was renamed, not shut down. SafeBeacon's own welcome page is titled "Formerly Road ID App" and says it is the same app with the same safety features under a new name. The App Store listing is still updated regularly.
Is the Road ID bracelet company the same as SafeBeacon?
No. Road ID still sells physical IDs at roadid.com. The app is operated by SafeSignal Inc. under the SafeBeacon name. Buying a bracelet does not include the app, and the app does not need a bracelet. Our guide to a Road ID bracelet vs a safety app explains how the two do different jobs.
Does SafeBeacon have crash detection and 911?
Its App Store listing mentions crash detection and one-tap SOS with 911 integration. Its website describes an automatic stationary alert after five minutes without movement and an SOS button that lets you call 911. We found no mention of a monitored dispatch center, so plan on you or a contact making the 911 call.
Is there an Apple Watch version?
The App Store listing's compatibility section does not include Apple Watch. If you want help from your wrist, Apple Watch Fall Detection works on supported models without any extra app.
What is a free replacement for the Road ID app?
Holler is free. Your Guardians get a private live link that opens in any web browser with no app or account, you can send them an SOS with your location, and an optional return time triggers an overdue alert if you haven't checked in five minutes after it. It has no text alerts yet, crash detection is an opt-in beta, and the iPhone app is in private beta, so you start from your phone's browser. Create a free account to try it.
More safety questions
Compare your options
Sources, checked September 2026: SafeBeacon: Safety Tracker on the App Store (id1588616662), SafeBeacon: Welcome, formerly Road ID App, SafeBeacon help and FAQ, safebeacon.com, Road ID (the ID bracelet company).
More safety answers, or see the safety guides.