Support
Have a question or found a bug? We're happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Outage Alerts BC
Where does the outage data come from?
Outage Alerts BC fetches data directly from BC Hydro's public outage feed. The app is not affiliated with or endorsed by BC Hydro.
Why am I not receiving notifications?
Make sure notifications are enabled in the app's Settings screen and in your device's notification settings for Outage Alerts BC. Background refresh must also be turned on for alerts to stay current.
Does the app use my location?
Only if you enter an address or postal code in Settings for the "Nearby outage alerts" feature. The app does not use GPS or device location services. Your saved location stays on your device.
How do I remove a saved favourite?
Go to the Favourites tab, find the outage you want to remove, and tap "Remove favourite."
Hotspot Helper
Why isn't Hotspot Helper on the Play Store?
The app uses Shizuku to drive Android's hidden tethering APIs, which Play Store policy doesn't permit for general-purpose apps. It's distributed as a sideload APK from laupin.ca/apps/hotspot-helper and is not planned for the Play Store.
Do I really need Shizuku? It looks complicated.
Yes — without Shizuku, Android does not expose a way for a third-party app to toggle the hotspot programmatically. The in-app setup guide walks you through installing Shizuku, enabling Wireless Debugging, pairing it, and granting permission. It's a one-time setup of about five minutes.
The hotspot didn't turn on when my device connected. What now?
First, confirm Shizuku is still running — it stops if the device reboots and you haven't enabled auto-start. Then check that the target Bluetooth device is the one selected on Hotspot Helper's main screen, and that the device actually paired and connected (not just bonded). The setup guide has a troubleshooting section reachable from About → Setup help.
How do I verify the APK before installing?
The current APK's SHA-256 is published at latest.apk.sha256. Compare it against the file you downloaded. Once installed, the signing certificate fingerprint is also listed on the download page so you can confirm with apksigner verify --print-certs that the install matches every release we publish.
What Android versions are supported?
Android 8.0 (API 26) and newer. The app is tested on Android 16. Older devices may not have the tethering APIs that Shizuku exposes to us.
Does Hotspot Helper send data anywhere?
No. The only network request the app makes is the update check against laupin.ca/apps/hotspot-helper/updates.json — no telemetry, no identifiers. Your Bluetooth device selection stays on your device. See the privacy policy for details.
Contact Us
You can email us directly at support@laupin.ca, or use the form below.