For a precise summary of what is live, in beta, and on the roadmap, see
Product status.
General
Does Linkr replace my ISP?
No. Linkr does not provide internet service. It is a way to share and discover connectivity that already exists. Your ISP delivers the connection; Linkr coordinates discovery and access.Is Linkr a VPN?
No. Linkr is not a VPN and does not provide encryption, anonymity, or tunneling. When you use a Linkr hotspot, your traffic passes through that hotspot’s network. If you need VPN functionality, use a separate VPN service.Who can use Linkr?
Anyone can use the public map and API — they are open, cover New York City, and need no account. The mobile app is in invitation-only beta: join the waitlist and you will be invited from it in batches.What does “community-powered” mean?
It means the network is meant to be built by its participants, not by a central provider. Every hotspot in the app is shared by a person. Linkr provides the coordination layer; the connectivity comes from the community.The dataset and the app
Is the map real?
The public map is a curated preview of 78 sample hotspots in New York City. The listings and owner handles are illustrative. Real, user-contributed hotspots live in the beta app.Where do hotspots I create go?
In the current beta, hotspots you create are stored on your device. They are not yet published to the public map or API, and they do not sync across devices.Does the app connect me to Wi-Fi automatically?
Not yet. The app helps you find hotspots and read their details; you connect through your device’s Wi-Fi settings. Automatic connection is on the roadmap.Security and privacy
Is it safe to use a hotspot?
Using a Linkr hotspot is like using any network you do not control. The link between your device and the hotspot may be encrypted (WPA2/WPA3), but traffic beyond it travels over the contributor’s network and the public internet. Prefer HTTPS, consider a VPN, and be cautious on Open (unencrypted) networks.Is it safe to share my hotspot?
Sharing exposes your network to others. Use a guest network isolated from your primary one, keep your router updated, and consider bandwidth limits.What data does Linkr collect?
Today: your email if you join the waitlist (via the website form). In the beta app, the hotspots and settings you create are stored on your device. There is no server-side account system yet, so there is no central store of accounts or connection history.Sharing hotspots
Do I need special hardware?
No. Any device that can create a wireless access point can become a Linkr hotspot: home routers, phones, dedicated access points.Can I share my phone’s hotspot?
Yes. Choose Mobile data as the network type when you share. Mobile hotspots tend to be less consistent (they move, battery drains, signal varies).Can I control who accesses my hotspot?
You can set a hotspot as publicly available or not, and choose whether to allow international access. Per-user approval and multi-tier access are on the roadmap.The API
Is there an API?
Yes — a read-only API over the New York City preview dataset. ThreeGET endpoints, no
writes. See the API reference.
How do I get an API key?
The API accepts any key matchinglinkr_test_* or linkr_live_* followed by at least six
alphanumeric characters, e.g. linkr_test_demo01. This is an open demo-key format — there
is no key issuance or rate limiting today. See Authentication.