Why Stealward won't arm
Updated
If Start protection doesn’t start anything, it’s almost always one of these.
No device can receive alerts
The most common one. Stealward won’t arm unless at least one other device is signed in, has notifications on, and is picked to receive alerts.
You’ll see “Pick at least one device to receive alerts” if you simply haven’t chosen one — tap a device in the list.
You’ll see “No device can receive alerts yet. Fix one above to continue” if the devices are there but none is ready. Tap the one you’re carrying: usually it’s signed in but has notifications turned off. Allow notifications on that device, then check again. It can take a moment to register after you allow them.
If you don’t have a second device at all, see Do I need a second device? and Adding another device.
Something you switched on isn’t in your plan
If you’ve armed with the camera or AI Watchdog on and your plan doesn’t include them, Stealward tells you before it starts and offers to continue without them — Start Without Camera, Start Without AI Watchdog, or both. Taking that option arms the session immediately with the rest intact.
Dismissing the sheet cancels the arm and leaves your settings alone. See plans and pricing.
On a Mac, plans are managed in Stealward on your iPhone or iPad.
The camera or microphone is blocked
If a tile reads Turn on in Settings, the permission was denied at some point and only system settings can restore it. Tap the tile to get there. If you’d rather not, turn the camera off and arm a sensors-only session.
A tile reading Tap to allow just needs a tap — the system will ask.
An account deletion is pending
If you’ve requested account deletion, sessions won’t start. Cancel the deletion from any signed-in device first. (See Signing out and deleting your account.)
Still stuck?
If none of these fit, get in touch — tell us which device you’re arming and what the screen says, and we’ll take a look.