Frequently Asked Questions

What is FriendsOver?

FriendsOver is a casual hangout app for hosts who want friends to visit more often. Share your weekly open hours, add a live calenar, and friends can request a stay via text. No app or account required for guests. It's for close friends hangouts and overnights, not big parties or complex scheduling.

Who can see my host page?

Your share link is only known to the friends you send it to. There is no list, and it's not indexed by search engines. Care is taken to avoid scraping. You can also set it to private to ensure visibility entirely with a phone number password.

Who can see my calendar?

FriendsOver never shares your calendar details with guests. Your calendar data is hidden under the hood. If you connect Google or Microsoft Calendar, it's only used to find your free time. Visitors see availability slots only — never event titles, descriptions, or who you're meeting with.

How do I set my share page to private?

Within settings, toggle your page to private. This hides your availability from all visitors, requiring your phone number to get in. This protects your share link. You may also switch back to public whenever you wish. NOTE: Once private, you can set the custom URL (and still switch back).

Can I use it without a calendar?

Yes! No calendar required. Set your open hours manually for a nomral week. Connecting Google or Microsoft Calendar is optional. That just makes it easier to auto-sync your free time. You're always in control of what's shown.

Why is there no password?

Your page is tied to your device. Start hosting instantly with no sign-up. To access your account from another device, scan a QR code to transfer your session. No forgotten passwords, no account to manage. Share your account between your laptop and phone, or with a spouse.

Do you need my phone number or address?

No. FriendsOver doesn't require your phone number or home address. However, it's easier for guests requesting hangouts through your host page if you include your number. Your contact details always stay private. Zero personal info is required to create an availability page.

How do I get messages about hangouts?

Guests request hangouts via normal SMS text, or copy the pre-filled message to your favorite app (Instagram, Facebook, Snapshat, Tinder). You provide the phone number you want texts sent to. It's simple text messaging, there's no in-app chat, no notifications, just a regular text to your phone.

What days are the hangout suggestions picking?

Suggestions show your next available time slots based on your weekly schedule. If you've connected a calendar, busy times are filtered out automatically. The app highlights your soonest open windows to make it easier for friends to pick a time, typically within the next week or two.

How do I see my calendar overlayed with friends?

Once you signup, you can visit a friend's schdule overlaped with yours. Select a few friends and pick "Find a time" to see mulitple friends overlaid on one calendar! See more info →

How do I make my calendar public?

In Google Calendar, open calendar settings, select your calendar, and enable "Make available to public" under Access permissions. Step-by-step guide →

In Apple Calendar, open iCloud Calendar, click the share icon next to your calendar, and enable Public Calendar to get a shareable link.

In Outlook, go to calendar settings and share your calendar from there. Learn more →

How hard is making a shared calendar?

Creating a shared calendar takes about two minutes. In Google Calendar, create a new calendar and share it via a link or email invite. In Apple Calendar, use iCloud sharing. Anyone you invite can view and add events. Once they accept, you'll both be able to add/edit events, and see changes in real time within your normal calendar app.

How do I make a group or shared calendar with friends?

You can share calendars between any number of people. For example, in Google Calendar, create a new calendar and share it with each friend via their email — set view or edit access per person. In Apple Calendar, share via iCloud by clicking the calendar's share icon. Everyone added gets updates when events are created or changed.

How do I report a bug?

Use the feedback link inside the app under the main navigation or send an email to hello [at] friendsover.to with details. We read every report and appreciate the help.

Is maintaining friendship important?

Genuinely, yes... the science is striking. Close friendships increase lifespan by up to 50% and are linked to better immunity and cardiovascular health. Loneliness carries risks comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day. Most friendships don't end in conflict, they quietly fade when nobody makes a plan. Read the research →

Why is it harder to keep friendships now?

The data shows a real cultural shift. In 1990, 63% of Americans had five or more close friends — by 2021 that had dropped to 38%. The share of adults with no close friends at all quadrupled over the same period. It's not conflict driving this, it's drift. Life gets busier, nobody initiates, and friendships quietly disappear. Read the research →

What's a normal number of friends?

Research suggests even three close friends is plenty for your wellbeing. It doesn't scale with the number of connections, but with depth and quality. A few people who genuinely know you does more for your health than a large network of loose acquaintances. The number isn't the variable; the effort to maintain those friendships is. For some, the more the merrier. Read the research →