Textbehind

Overview

Overview

TextBehind is a revolutionary mobile app designed to bridge the gap between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. With a mission to provide affordable, convenient, and emotional communication solutions, TextBehind allows users to send text messages, photos, custom greeting cards, and electronic money orders to inmates across America. The app also delivers hand-written replies digitally to users' smartphones and emails at no extra cost.

The client approached us to develop a high-performance iOS app from scratch that would offer seamless communication, secure payments, and an intuitive user experience. The goal was to create a feature-rich platform that stands out in the niche correctional facility communication market.

Problem

The Problem

The correctional facility communication market faced several challenges that TextBehind needed to address:

• Limited Communication Options: Traditional inmate communication methods are expensive and inconvenient.
• No Digital Solution: Most services don't offer complete digital management of communications.
• Poor User Experience: Existing solutions often have clunky interfaces and slow performance.
• Lack of Features: Missing essential features like photo sharing, drawing tools, and digital replies.

Goal

The Goal

Our primary objectives for the app development were:

• Create an Intuitive Interface: Design a user-friendly app that simplifies communication with inmates.
• Implement Robust Features: Include messaging, photo sharing, drawing tools, and money transfers.
• Ensure Reliability: Build a stable app with fast performance and minimal downtime.
• Provide Secure Payments: Integrate a trustworthy payment gateway for money orders.
• Optimize for App Store: Develop according to Apple's guidelines for smooth approval.

Target Audience

Target Audience

The app serves two primary user groups:

• Family members and friends of incarcerated individuals across America
• Legal professionals who regularly communicate with inmates
• Social workers and counselors supporting incarcerated populations

Requirements

Needs & Requirements

• Enable seamless communication between inmates and their contacts
• Provide multiple message formats (text, photos, cards, drawings)
• Implement secure payment processing for money orders
• Offer digital management of all communications
• Ensure reliable delivery of messages and replies

Key Features

The App Was Designed To:

• Provide seamless communication between users and inmates
• Enable creative expression through drawing tools and custom cards
• Simplify financial support with secure money transfers
• Organize all communications in one easy-to-access place
• Deliver reliable performance across all supported devices

Design

Design

The design process focused on creating an emotional yet functional interface that would resonate with users during difficult times. Key design elements included:

• User-Centric Wireframes to validate all workflows and interactions
• A calming color scheme that reduces stress while maintaining clarity
• Clear typography optimized for readability across age groups
• Intuitive navigation to make emotional communication as easy as possible

Results

Results

The TextBehind app has transformed how families connect with incarcerated loved ones:

• Thousands of messages and photos delivered monthly
• High user satisfaction with the app's features and reliability
• Positive impact on family relationships during difficult times
• Continued growth through word-of-mouth recommendations

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Developing TextBehind was an incredibly rewarding project that combines technical excellence with social impact. The app has genuinely improved lives by maintaining crucial family connections during challenging circumstances. We're proud to have created a solution that delivers both technological sophistication and human compassion.

The success of TextBehind demonstrates how well-designed mobile applications can solve real-world problems while creating business opportunities in niche markets.