General FAQ's

Q: Is Bump secure?

A: When we built Bump, our number one priority was creating the best possible user experience we could. Security of your personal information is a huge part of that experience. First, all communications between your phone and our servers are encrypted and sent using https - the same encryption that is used for online banking. Second, the nice thing about Bump is that *you* are in control of deciding with whom you share your information. You don't have to worry about anyone being able to get at your information unless you physically bump your phone with theirs. Finally, we will never share any of your personal information with any third parties. Check out our privacy policy for more details.

Q: How does Bump work?

A: There are two parts to Bump: the app running on your device and a smart matching algorithm running on our servers in the cloud. The app on your phone uses the phone's sensors to literally "feel" the bump, and it sends that info up to the cloud. The matching algorithm listens to the bumps from phones around the world and pairs up phones that felt the same bump. Then we just route information between the two phones in each pair.

Q: No way. What if somebody else bumps at the same time?

A: Way. We use various techniques to limit the pool of potential matches, including location information and characteristics of the bump event. If you are bumping in a particularly dense area (ex, at a conference), and we cannot resolve a unique match after a single bump, we'll just ask you to bump again. Our CTO has a PhD in Quantum Mechanics and can show the math behind that, but we suggest downloading Bump and trying it yourself!

Q: What happens to my contact information?

A: When you bump, if we find a match with a phone that felt the same bump, our servers ask each phone to send up the contact information each user chose to share, but nothing more. If and only if both users then confirm that the match is indeed correct will the contact information be sent down to the other person.

Q: Will Bump be free forever?

A: Bump is most useful when everyone else has it. We want to get Bump on to as many phones as possible so that no one ever has to manually type in a phone number or email address again. To that end, we plan to offer the basic version of Bump free of charge for the entire foreseeable future.

Q: Cool, but doesn't this only work between two iPhones?

A: No! Bump currently supports iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Android. We are working to bring Bump to other platforms soon. Today, there are several other phones that include the sensors that Bump needs to feel bumps, but in the next few years, the vast majority of new phones will have these sensors. We plan to offer Bump on all of them, and Bump will work between any two of them.

Q: Wait, you are saying an Android phone can bump an iPhone?

A: You bet. Any two devices running Bump can bump each other.

Q: Why does Bump want to use my location?

A: We've got millions of users worldwide now. We use location information as one of the ways we limit the number of other phones we have to check to determine the correct match. Basically, if you are in Chicago, we use that info so we don't have to compare your bump with bumps coming in from Japan, Europe, New York, etc. For this reason, we require that location services be turned on and that users authorize the use of their location information. If you do not authorize use of location information, Bump won't work, sorry.

Q: My contact info has changed, does this mean I need to re-bump?

A: Yes. Each time you bump you select which information you want to share, if you update your information you need to bump that person again.

Q. I don't want to send all my information when I bump. Can I do that?

A: Yup, it's easy to do. Just open the Contact Cards app and un-check any of the fields you don't want to transfer, and bump away!

Q: My friend and I bumped and nothing happened.

A: When you are ready to bump, make sure you are on a page that has the Bump hands indicating that the phone is ready to bump. If you aren't, simply close whichever page you are on and then you should be ready to go.

Q: Is Bump just for sharing my own contact information?

A: No way! Today with Bump you can share photos, other people's contact information, compare calendars and send invites, even connect on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn right on the spot! Once you have bumped with someone, you can then send contacts, send photos and interact with social networks in our new chat feature without having to Bump again. We are always working to update Bump with cool new features, so if you have suggestions please don't hesitate to contact us! We love hearing from the users. Check out [link] to learn more.

Q: Will you build Bump for [insert mobile platform here]?

A: We're working as fast as we can to add features to the existing versions of Bump and expand to other platforms. We fully intend to move Bump to many of the other major phone platforms in the future.

New Feature FAQ's

Q: How do I set up my contact card?

A: Setting up your contact card is super easy. Open the app and hit the settings button (the gears in the upper right-hand corner). Then select the Edit button and select Create My Contact. From here you can select a photo and go through and fill out any of the information you wish! Don't forget to scroll down and check out the Add Field option, which lets you add more information such as your birthday or IM username to your card.

Q: Can I create separate cards for bumping my business information and my personal information?"

A: The great thing about Bump is you are able to create multiple profiles for any kind of social setting. Once you have established your contact card, you can edit and save different versions by opening the Contact Card app from the home screen. Your profile will show up, then scroll through and select or de-select any of the information you wish. When you are finished, you can click Save As, and then create any sort of title for this profile. You are able to create as many profiles as you want. Don't worry, this title will not get transferred when you bump with someone, it's for your eyes only!

Q: So I bumped with my friend, now what?

A: The first initial bump is just the beginning! You now that you have made a connection with the other person you are able to share with them from anywhere, anytime by opening your Bump history and clicking the 'Share' button in the chat view (the triangle button on the right-hand side next to the Send button). You can send unlimited messages and photos, you can become connected and see if you have any common friends on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and send them other people's contact info.

Q: Is there a setting so every contact or photo I receive through Bump isn't saved automatically to my phone?

A: Absolutely! When you open the Bump, go to the app settings (gears button in the upper right-hand corner) and in the middle of the page there are two line items for automatically save contacts/photos. You can slide these buttons to 'Off'. Now when you receive contacts/photos they will only be saved in the history section of the app, and you can manually decide to save them to your phone later on, if you'd like.

Q: My friend is constantly sending me photos and messages through the share feature. How do I make it stop?

A: One way is asking politely and explaining your feelings. But if that doesn't work, there is an option in the share menu to block incoming bumps from that user.

Q: Is it possible to bump information only one way?

A: Sure thing, Bump isn't only for exchanging information! You can only receive by bumping from the main screen in Bump (the one with the big hands at the top).

Q: Can I bump music or other files on my phone?

A: Unfortunately right now, Bump doesn't let you transfer music, ringtones, or other file types.

Troubleshooting FAQ's

Q: When I tried to bump with my friend, my phone got an error message that said, "You were the only one to bump." What did I do wrong?

A: You didn't do anything wrong! That message simply means that our servers couldn't find the other phone you were trying to bump. Next time that happens, just make sure both phones are on a screen with a graphic of two hands bumping and bump again. You need to hold your phones and physically bump hands so the other phone registers a bump as well and our servers can find it.

Q: Why do I get the message "No Match" when I try to bump with my friend?

A: The "No Match" message simply means that our servers couldn't connect your two devices. In order for Bump to successfully identify your device and match it with the device you are trying to connect with, it needs 2 things up and running on your phone.

1. A valid Internet connection over either 3G, Edge, or Wifi. Please check your connectivity by opening a browser on your device and navigating to an outside page. If your connection is slow or spotty, Bump could have difficulties connecting to our servers.
2. Valid location information. Bump uses the device's location as part of the matching process. Sometimes the GPS or Maps app will report old or invalid location information, in which case Bump won't work. Please check that the location information is correct by going to the Maps application and viewing your current location. If it is not correct, turn on your GPS and select 'My Location' which should update your phone to reflect your current location.

Q: Does Bump require that my Bluetooth is activated also?

A: Nope! Bump doesn't use Bluetooth to work at all; all you need is an Internet connection through wifi, 3G or Edge.

Q: I have an iPhone and I am trying to bump with an Android. Why can't I compare calendars, send invites, or connect on social networks?

A: Well unfortunately, Bump for Android is a generation behind Bump for iPhone and doesn't have access to all the cool new features. But don't worry, our Android developers are working as fast as they can to catch up! We hope it won't be too long before a new Android version is available.