Here are some of the main features of the app:
Country Profiles: The app includes Profiles of over 200 countries. Use the search bar at the top to find the country you are looking for. By selecting a country, you can see all the recent alerts, and information on Travel Risks, Crime, Terrorism, Natural Disasters, Medical, Travel and Culture.
Watch: “Watch” and receive notifications for your destination including pre-departure notifications including health, safety and/or security incidents.
Alerts: You can tag Alerts to follow or receive subsequent updates on the alert. (See tagged alerts and updates in the “Tagged” section on the Alerts screen.)
Traveler Advice: Useful information and tips for traveling to any country around the world.
UMD Support: 24/7 emergency and other travel-related assistance.
Profile & Documents: Here you can store important documents (e.g. photos, medical information, etc.) and retrieve them if the originals get lost. Your information can be secured by a PIN, encrypted, and stored locally on your device. All information will be deleted when you uninstall the app.
GPS location: Enabling location data, though optional, helps the system determine your precise location. This can:
- Send you alerts if you are in danger and need incident information
- Allow the university to know your approximate location and potentially reach out to check if you need assistance
If GPS location services are enabled a “check-in” button will appear at the bottom of the app’s home screen. Push the “check-in” button to send your GPS location to the university’s traveler dashboard. (This does not enable real-time location tracking. Instead it is a time-stamped snapshot of your location at the time you check-in.)
In the app’s settings (widget, top right-hand corner) you can add your home country and turn on GPS location services for location-based alerts. Your actual location (live tracking) supersedes your assumed itinerary location.
If you choose to disable the GPS location data, you will still receive alerts based on your trip itinerary, but not locations that you travel to outside of your itinerary. (E.g.: If you travel to London, you will receive updates about London. If you travel locally outside of your itinerary, you won’t receive alerts unless GPS tracker is enabled).
How to Install the App and Set up Your Account
- In the Apple or Play store, search for “Travel Oracle”
- Download and open the app
- Register for a new account using your university-affiliated email address
- Enter the following as the Policy Number: UMD234262
- If your device asks you for permission for the app to send you notifications, be sure to allow notifications to ensure that you will receive location-based alerts, notifications, and other messages.
- You may also be asked to accept the use of “Location Services” to enable the full functionality of the platform. You have the option to select “only while the app is in use.”
Language: English is the default language of the Travel Oracle app, it can be translated into your language of choice. If you prefer to use the app in a language other than English:
- Go to your device’s Settings
- Select “General”
- Select “Language & Region” and choose from the options
- Navigate back to Travel Oracle and it should prompt you to TRANSLATE to your preferred language. This may take a few minutes to sync, but once complete, the app will be available in your preferred language.
Have a friend or family member who is traveling? You can use the app to “watch” the country they are traveling to, and receive safety and security information and incident alerts. Using the app for personal reasons can provide peace of mind while a friend or loved one is traveling.
Note: The developer of the app is based in England, thus you may see some British spelling or phrasing (e.g., “boot” instead of “trunk” or “traveller” instead of “traveler”) that may be unfamiliar.
Requirements / What happens if I don’t do this?
You are not required to download the app. If you choose to download the Healix Travel Oracle app - and we hope you do - it will send notifications to your mobile device.
Benefits of using the app
The app is designed to provide you with up-to-date information and alerts about your destination prior to boarding your flight. Though Healix Travel Oracle will alert you to varied information and situations related to your destination, we recommend familiarizing yourself with local customs, laws, and emergency procedures using a variety of credible sources.
See additional Healix app information in the Concur Help Center.