Do I need an account to help?

Not always. It depends on whether the Flote is public or private, and on what you want to do.

• On a public Flote, you can sign up to help, request a visit and send a message without an account.
• On a private Flote, you need an account and the family's approval before you can see or do anything.

On a public Flote

You can take the following actions without an account:

• See the whole Flote page
• Sign up to help with something the family needs
• Request a visit
• Send a Thinking of You message, under your name or anonymously
• Let the family know you sent a gift card

Signing up, requesting a visit and letting the family know about a gift card all ask for your name and email, so the family knows who you are and can reach you. Signing up and requesting a visit also offer an optional phone number. A Thinking of You message only asks for your name, and you can leave it off and post anonymously.

You need an account to:

• Follow the Flote, which emails you each new update
• React to an update or leave a comment on it

All of these are optional, and you can do everything in the list above without them.

On a private Flote

You need an account to take part in a private Flote, and the family has to let you in, either by approving your request or by inviting you. Until then, the only things you can see are the person's name and photo and a Request access button.

Selecting Request access asks you to sign in or create an account. It is free and takes about a minute, and afterwards you come straight back to finish your request. See How to create your account if you have not made one before.

Once the family lets you in, you join as a follower and can do everything a public Flote allows, signed in. Your name and email are filled in for you.

If the family sent you a personal invitation instead of a link, follow How do I accept an invitation?