# Octo by October

Be there for Mom’s computer, from anywhere.

Octo lives on your parents’ computer. They ask, it explains. You ask, it does. Always with their OK.

Octo is available for Windows and Mac, with an app for iPhone and Android. It is made by [October](https://www.october.dev/), the team behind [Lantern](https://lantern.october.dev/).

## Downloads

- [Download for Mac](https://github.com/harshsaver/octo-releases/releases/latest/download/Octo.dmg)
- [Download for Windows](https://github.com/harshsaver/octo-releases/releases/latest/download/Octo-Setup.exe)
- App Store: link pending. <!-- TODO: final App Store URL; also update main.js and index.html. -->
- Google Play: link pending. <!-- TODO: final Google Play URL; also update main.js and index.html. -->
- [Contact October](mailto:hey@october.dev?subject=Octo%20help)

## A small computer problem. A very long phone call.

Mom’s printer stopped. Dad can’t find the photo you sent. The video call link “doesn’t work”. And you’re two cities away. Meet the little helper that brings you closer.

## One visit. Help that stays.

1. Install Octo together on their Windows computer or Mac, once.
2. Scan the code on their own screen with your phone, then confirm together in person.
3. They ask Octo, and you ask Octo. It explains things to them and takes care of your tasks, with their OK.

## A familiar face. A helping hand.

The [website demo](https://octo.october.dev/#demo) runs entirely in the browser. It sends and records nothing. Mom, Dad and Harsh are example names. These are illustrative screens, not screenshots of real people or tasks.

- **They ask:** Mom clicks the floating Octo and asks “How do I make the text bigger?” Octo explains: on Windows, hold Ctrl and press +; on a Mac, hold Command and press +. Each press makes the web page bigger.
- **You ask:** Your phone sends “Join the Discord call”. Octo asks on Mom’s screen: “Harsh asked me to join Discord for you. OK?” When she approves, a visible “Octo is helping · Stop” banner stays on screen. Your phone gets a screenshot when she’s in the call. She can also decline or stop.
- **Point & Ask:** Drag a box around a suspicious example pop-up, or select it with a button. Octo answers “This looks like a scam. Don’t call that number.” A “Send to Harsh” button adds it to the example inbox. Nothing is actually sent.

## Their friendly helper. Your peace of mind.

For them: an always-there friendly helper; speak or type in their language; circle anything and ask “What is this?”; ask “Is this a scam?”; send something to you with one tap.

For you: all family computers in one place; tell a computer what to do from your phone; a to-do inbox with screenshots; a screenshot when it’s done; a step-by-step record of what Octo did.

## Built to be trusted, not feared.

- Their OK before any change. They can say no.
- A visible banner with a big Stop button while Octo helps. Stop works anytime.
- Octo never reads or types passwords, reads bank pages, or pays or buys anything.
- Pair in person, by scanning a code on their own screen. A call or a link can never add someone.
- Only paired family can send tasks. A clear record stays on both sides.
- Scam spotting: point at a suspicious pop-up or email, get a plain answer, and send it to you if they’re unsure.

## Little tasks. A lot less worry.

Family tech support, from the first click to “thanks, it works”.

- Fix the Wi-Fi: find the problem, ask before changing settings, and help them reconnect.
- Join the call: Zoom, Meet, Discord or WhatsApp.
- Find that photo: find an email or photo you sent, and put it in front of them.
- Make it bigger: text, sound or brightness.
- Is this safe? A second opinion on a worrying pop-up, email or message.
- Install the app I sent: with their OK before anything changes.

## Made for parents. And grandparents.

Big text. A calm screen. Voice first, in their language. You handle the first setup; they have nothing to configure or maintain. Octo updates itself. If something goes wrong, Octo tells you, not them.

A gentler kind of tech support for elderly parents. Help your parents with their computer remotely, with their OK at every step.

## FAQ

**Can Octo see everything?** Only when they ask, or during a task they can see happening. Screenshots go only to you. Octo doesn’t quietly watch their screen in the background.

**What if Octo makes a mistake?** Octo asks before making changes, and the visible Stop button works anytime. When it’s unsure, it asks you instead of guessing. Like any helper, it can make mistakes.

**Does Mom need an account?** No. Set up together once, using your October account and a code on her own screen. She can just ask Octo.

**Is it safe from scammers?** Pairing happens in person, by scanning a code on their screen. A call or a link can never add someone. Only paired family can send tasks. Octo asks before changes, keeps Stop visible, and never reads or types passwords, reads bank pages, or pays or buys anything. Point & Ask also helps them check suspicious messages and send one to you.

**Which languages?** They can speak or type and get plain answers in their language. Set their preferred language together during setup. [Ask October](mailto:hey@october.dev?subject=Octo%20help) about a particular language or voice option. No complete language list has been supplied for this page.

**Which computers and phones?** The Octo helper is for Windows and Mac. Your app is for iPhone and Android. Your phone needs a camera to scan the pairing code, and an internet connection is needed to send tasks. [Ask October](mailto:hey@october.dev?subject=Octo%20help) for minimum OS versions and hardware requirements before installing; these have not been specified for the page.

**Is it private?** Messages between your phone and their computer are encrypted end to end. Screen access happens only when they ask or during a visible task, and screenshots go only to you. See [October’s privacy policy](https://www.october.dev/privacy).

**What does it cost?** Free to start; October plans unlock more.

**Who makes Octo?** [October](https://www.october.dev/), the team behind [Lantern](https://lantern.october.dev/). The family also includes [October Desktop](https://www.october.dev/), a workspace for teams of agents; [Harness](https://harness.october.dev/), a coding agent; and [Bus](https://bus.october.dev/), which helps agents work together.

## Be the tech person, without being on call.

More “see you Sunday”. Less “can you see my screen?”.

[Download for Mac](https://github.com/harshsaver/octo-releases/releases/latest/download/Octo.dmg) · [Download for Windows](https://github.com/harshsaver/octo-releases/releases/latest/download/Octo-Setup.exe)

[Octo by October](https://octo.october.dev/) · [october.dev](https://october.dev/) · [Privacy](https://www.october.dev/privacy) · [Contact](mailto:hey@october.dev?subject=Octo%20help)