Help & User Guide
How to use Ride With Mates
Share rides with mates. Split the cost, cut the emissions.
Any group — workmates, teammates, neighbours, or friends.
Getting started & joining a group
Open the Ride With Mates URL in any browser on any device. No app download needed.
- Make sure the Join a group tab is selected.
- Enter your name — use something your group will recognise, like "Sarah K." or "Marcus from No. 14".
- Enter the invite code from your group admin (e.g.
ELM-4829).
- Tap Join group. Your username appears immediately — save it now.
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Try the demo first. Use invite code ELM-4829 to explore a sample group with real trips, messaging, and live distances — no admin needed.
Your username — save it now
The moment you join, Ride With Mates creates a unique login username for you automatically. It looks like this:
sarah_k#4829
Your name as a short code, plus a unique 4-digit number
- Copy it using the green Copy button in the pop-up.
- Save it — screenshot it, or add it to your phone notes. You need it to sign back in after logging out.
- Tap Got it, let me in to enter the app.
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You cannot recover a lost username. If you lose it you must rejoin as a new member. Take a screenshot before dismissing the pop-up.
Your username is also always visible on the My Profile tab with a Copy button.
Signing back in after logging out
Tap the Returning tab on the gate screen. Enter your username (e.g. sarah_k#4829) and invite code. Tap Sign back in.
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Still logged in? Find your username anytime on the My Profile tab.
Starting a new group
- Click the Start a group tab on the gate screen.
- Enter your name and a group name (e.g. "CBD Commuters", "School Run", "Friday Trails Crew").
- If you already have a username from another group, enter it in the existing username field so the same login works across all your groups.
- Tap Start my group. An invite code is generated automatically.
- Share the code with your group — text it or drop it in a WhatsApp chat.
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3-group limit. Each username can create up to 3 groups (e.g. home commute, school run, sports team). To create more, delete an inactive group from My Profile first.
The rides board
Shows all trips in your group, updated in real time across all devices. New trips appear the moment they are posted — no refresh needed.
| Element | What it means |
|---|
| Driver avatar | Initials of the person offering the ride |
| Name (you) | Your own trips show "(you)" next to your name |
| Departure time | When the driver is leaving |
| Destination | Where they are heading |
| Pickup note | Optional tip about where to meet the driver |
| Green seats badge | Number of seats still available |
| Red Full badge | No seats left — you can still send a message |
| Blue Recurring | This ride runs on a regular schedule |
| Amber Today only | One-off trip today |
| Green Your ride | A trip you posted yourself |
Requesting & cancelling a seat
Requesting a seat
- Click Request seat on any trip going your way.
- The seat count decreases instantly on everyone's board.
- The button changes to ✓ Joined.
- Message the driver to confirm your exact pickup spot and time.
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Always message the driver. Requesting a seat does not send a notification to the driver. Always follow up so they know to expect you.
Cancelling your seat
Plans changed? Hover over the ✓ Joined button — it turns red and shows ✕ Cancel seat. Click and confirm. The seat is instantly restored on everyone's board.
- Please cancel as early as possible so the driver can plan.
- A notification confirms the cancellation in your panel.
Messaging
Every trip has its own chat. Messages sync in real time across all devices — no phone numbers needed.
- Tap the 💬 Message button on any trip card.
- A chat drawer slides up from the bottom of the screen.
- Type your message and press Enter or tap the send button.
- Use the chat to confirm exact pickup spot and time.
- Let the driver know if you're running late or can't make it.
Posting a ride
Tap + Offer a ride in the nav to share your trip with the group.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|
| Your pickup address | Full address e.g. "14 Elm Street, Pakuranga, Auckland". Used only for distance calculation — not shown publicly. |
| Destination | e.g. "Auckland CBD", "Manukau Station", "Eden Park". |
| Date | Date of the trip. Defaults to today. |
| Departure time | When you are leaving. Displayed as 12-hour am/pm. |
| Seats available | How many passengers you can take (1–4). |
| Trip type | One-off (today only) or Recurring. Recurring shows a day-of-week selector. |
| Pickup note | Optional tips e.g. "I leave from the corner of Elm & Pine St". |
| Rough route | Optional e.g. "Via SH1 northbound". Shown in the route panel. |
- Your trip appears at the top of the board instantly for all group members.
- Real driving distance calculates in the background and updates for everyone.
- Tap ✕ Remove on your trip card to take it off the board when it's no longer available.
My Profile & group management
Tap your avatar in the top right (or Profile in the bottom nav on mobile).
Your username
Always visible with a Copy button. Use it + your invite code on the Returning tab to sign back in anytime.
Invite your mates
Share this code — anyone who enters it can join your group's live ride board instantly.
- 💡 Text it to your group or drop it in a WhatsApp chat.
- Copy the code using the Copy button on the invite card.
Group management (admins only)
- "X of 3 groups used" badge — shows how many groups your username has created. Turns red at the 3-group limit.
- Delete this group — permanently removes the group, all trips, messages, and members. Requires two confirmations. Cannot be undone.
- Deleting a group frees up one of your 3 slots for a new one.
Signing out
Tap Sign out at the bottom of the profile page. Use the Returning tab with your username and invite code to get back in anytime.
Tips
- Screenshot your username as soon as you join — you cannot recover it if lost.
- Share the invite code widely — more members means more ride options.
- Always message the driver after requesting a seat to confirm pickup details.
- Cancel your seat promptly if plans change — it frees the spot for others in real time.
- Post recurring trips for regular commutes to build a standing carpool network.
- Use the pickup note field to make it easy for passengers to find you.
- Bookmark the URL on your phone home screen for quick daily access.
- Group admins: delete inactive groups to free up slots for new ones.
Getting support
If you have a question not answered here, get in touch:
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Ride With Mates is built and maintained by Dynamik IT Solutions — a solo operator based in Auckland, New Zealand. Response times are typically within 1 business day.
Safety & disclaimer
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Please read before using Ride With Mates.
Ride With Mates is a coordination tool only. It is not a transport service. Each user is responsible for their own safety when arranging and participating in carpools.
Drivers should check that their vehicle insurance covers carrying passengers. Some personal policies exclude this.
Ride With Mates does not verify the identity of any user. Only share invite codes with people you know and trust.
Dynamik IT Solutions accepts no liability for any incidents arising from arrangements made through Ride With Mates.