Join the Porch pilot.

I’m inviting families to try the HelloPorch app at home with their loved ones.

You’ll install Porch on your own compatible iPad or Android tablet and connect a big-button corded phone. Family and friends install the Porch app on their iPhones or Android phones to stay connected.

I’ll provide access to the app and setup instructions. All I ask in return is your honest feedback on what works, what doesn’t, and what could be better.

The Porch prototype on a wooden table: a tablet on a stand showing a large clock, beside a big-button corded phone with photos on its keys.

What you’ll need.

You’ll provide the hardware. I’ll provide the app.

Porch works with a compatible iPad or Android tablet and a big-button corded phone. You’ll also need a Cell2Jack adapter and a USB-C hub. A sturdy tablet stand is helpful, but optional.

You may already have some of what you need. Here’s the hardware for the current pilot.

What I’ll ask of you.

Just tell me how it’s going.

Try Porch with your loved one and let me know what works and what doesn’t. I’ll check in occasionally by email or a quick conversation.

And if something breaks or gets confusing, I definitely want to know about it.

How it works.

  1. Leave your email.

    I’ll reach out with an invitation and instructions for getting started.

  2. Install Porch on your tablet and family phones.

    Porch isn’t in the app stores yet. You’ll get it through Apple’s TestFlight or Google Play’s testing program.

  3. Set it up for your family.

    Connect the tablet and phone, and add the people your loved one calls most.

  4. Start calling.

    They press your photo to call. They see and hear you on the tablet, and can use the familiar phone receiver if they prefer.

    When you call them, Porch can even answer automatically.

A few common questions.

Do I need to buy a tablet from HelloPorch?

No. Porch is an app you install on a compatible tablet you already own or purchase yourself. For the current pilot, you’ll also need a big-button phone and a couple of adapters.

Can I use a tablet I already own?

Most recent iPads and Android tablets should work, but compatibility depends on the model and accessories.

Do I need a special phone?

No. A corded phone with big buttons works best, especially one with room for photos on the keys. You’ll need a Cell2Jack adapter to connect it.

How do family members call?

Through the Porch app on their iPhone or Android phone. If they miss a video call, Porch can ring their regular phone number instead.

Can Porch speak another language?

Yes! Porch supports English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish, with more languages on the way. Let me know if there’s another language your family needs.