Get Water Strong

Get Water Strong is a frictionless hydration tracking system that turns any reusable water bottle into a smart bottle (+coasters, mugs, etc. too). The system includes a high-performance, wireless GWS Tag and a premium, waterproof GWS Graphic Shield. Together, they pair seamlessly with our free companion app on your NFC enabled Android and iOS smartphone. Now you simply tap your unlocked phone to your bottle (GWS Tag) to instantly log your water intake.

We separated the technology from the artwork to give you the best mix of durability, style, and customization:

• The GWS Tag: This is the brains of the operation—an ultra-thin, durable, secure, and smart NFC tag that adheres directly to your bottle and handles the wireless communication with your phone.
• The GWS Graphic Shield: This is a (optional) heavy-duty, waterproof vinyl sticker featuring a limited-edition Get Water Strong design. It applies directly over the tag.

While the GWS Tag is incredibly tough on its own, placing the (optional) strong, scratch-resistant Graphic Shield over it completely seals the edges. This dual-layer design is what makes the system rugged enough to survive daily top-rack dishwasher cycles without breaking a sweat. Plus, it allows us to frequently rotate new, limited-edition designs which subtly (if you know, you know) nod to the philanthropies we're highlighting in our app!

The Graphic Shield is completely optional! If you prefer a minimalist look, or if you plan to exclusively hand-wash your bottle, you can absolutely use the GWS Tag completely on its own. The tag is fully waterproof and strong enough to handle everyday use. We only recommend applying the Graphic Shield if you love the design, or plan on regularly running your bottle through the top rack of a dishwasher, where the extra layer provides maximum edge protection against intense heat and high-pressure water spray.

No. The GWS Tag uses passive NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. It draws a tiny amount of wireless power from your phone only at the exact moment of a tap, meaning it never needs charging, batteries, or wires.

Yes*! GWS features universal compatibility. Because our Tags feature a specialized on-metal shielding layer, they work perfectly on glass, stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic surfaces of any size, shape, or brand. *See note re heavy surface textures.

If a high-quality sticker can stick to it, the GWS Tag will too. However, deeply uneven or high-texture surfaces (like rhinestones or aggressive raised diamond patterns) don't provide enough continuous flat surface area for the 3M adhesive to form a permanent bond.

If your favorite bottle has a high-texture design, we recommend applying the GWS Tag to a relatively flat, smooth area on the bottle, such as a flat lid.

While you can technically place the GWS Tag anywhere it fits, optimal placement can enhance the experience and ease of successful scan especially on your first try. We recommend applying the GWS Tag on the upper 40% of the bottle (save enough space to account for the GWS Graphic Shield).

Optimal placement considerations:

• Stand Proud: Your GWS Tag is proud to be on top. Plus this placement enables the space where you naturally hold your bottle to not compete with your phone tap.
• Above the Taper: Some large bottles feature an aggressive step-up taper so the base can accommodate a cup holder while the bottle accommodates larger amounts of liquid. Installing the GWS Tag on the top portion (above the taper/shoulder) ensures it's always easy to find with your smartphone.
• Keep it flat(ish): The GWS Tag does great on the sides or top of your bottle, and can handle the curvature of standard bottles, but folding it across edges like the side and bottom of the bottle at the same time is… not recommended (someone tried it so here we are writing it).

For the strongest, longest-lasting bond, proper surface preparation is key—especially if your bottle has a textured metal finish. While the GWS Tag adheres effortlessly to smooth glass and stainless steel, minimal surface textures trap microscopic oils from your skin that a standard wash with warm, soapy water won't entirely remove. This can occasionally cause peeling at the tag edges.

To ensure a long lasting install, follow these simple preparation steps:

1. Clean thoroughly: Wash the area with warm, soapy water to remove surface dirt, and dry it completely.
2. De-grease with Alcohol: Give the exact spot a quick rub with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) using a clean cloth or cotton pad and let dry. This completely strips away any remaining skin oils trapped in the metal's texture.
3. Apply and Press: Peel the backing, apply your GWS Tag to the cleaned bottle surface, and press firmly from the center outward to ensure the 3M adhesive completely molds into the texture.
4. Add the GWS Graphic Shield overlay (optional): Apply the GWS Graphic Shield overlay sticker directly over the GWS Tag, pressing firmly along the edges to seal it completely.

Yes, the GWS Tag is built to handle the extremes of an active lifestyle. We use industrial-grade components, including the premium NXP NTAG424 DNA silicon chip and heavy-duty 3M 467MP adhesive, designed for "Buy It For Life" durability.

The operating range for the GWS Tag is -13F to +140F (-25C to +60C).

In the Cold: You can freeze your bottle down to -13F (-25C) completely issue-free. Note: If you freeze your bottle constantly, we recommend placing the tag on a rigid area like a heavy-duty cap or solid base to protect it from the subtle metal expansion/contraction of freezing liquids.

In the Heat: The tag safely handles temperatures up to +140F (+60C), meaning it will comfortably survive being left inside a scorching hot car in the dead of summer.

In the Wash: Normal hand washing is completely fine. For standard top-rack dishwasher cycles, the tag handles the environment effortlessly—though we highly recommend applying the GWS Graphic Shield overlay to completely seal the edges against aggressive detergents and high-pressure scorching hot jets over the long haul. We do not recommend using the dishwasher's "Sanitize or High-Temp" cycle, as the extreme, prolonged heat spikes can exceed electronic limitations.

Shields Up: The GWS Graphic Shields are printed in high-resolution using Greenguard Gold certified eco-friendly inks on high durability vinyl then finished with a protective laminate and heavy-duty adhesive. They are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and specifically engineered to withstand repeated exposure to moisture and abrasion. Adding this thick, protective layer acts as an insurance policy and effectively seals your GWS Tag against the harshest environments for years to come.

While our premium 3M adhesive can handle massive heat, the internal silicon microchip is a highly precise piece of technology. Commercial and modern home dishwasher "Sanitize" or "Steam Clean" cycles routinely pump water and ambient steam temperatures up to 150F–180F (65C–82C) for extended periods. This environment exceeds the safe operating limits of the chip and the protective coating, which can lead to permanent failure. Stick to standard or eco-friendly top-rack wash cycles, and your tag will thrive (especially with the GWS Graphic Shield installed)!

It's Easy! Ensure your smartphone is unlocked, open the GWS app, and bring the phone's internal NFC antenna directly against your GWS Tag. The app will register the scan, log your water, and give you a quick confirmation vibration.

Yes! NFC (Near Field Communication) is an ultra-short-range wireless technology. Your phone needs to come into direct contact—or be within a fraction of an inch—of the GWS Tag. Instead of waving or flicking your phone past the bottle like a magic wand, give it a deliberate, half-second tap and hold. This gives your phone's antenna a brief moment to beam power to the tag, process the security, and log your water.

It's just like tapping your phone to pay for groceries or using a keycard to badge into an office building!

Different phone manufacturers place their internal NFC antennas in different locations, your optimal "sweet spot" will depend on your device:

• Android Phones: The antenna is typically located in the center of the back or near the rear camera module. For the best result, tap the middle-back of your phone against the GWS Tag.
• iPhones: The antenna is located at the very top edge of the phone (right next to the front camera). Tap the top-back or top-front edge of your iPhone directly to the GWS Tag.

Yes, NFC must be active. Our app is built to support Android 12 and newer, as well as iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and newer (running iOS 15+). Most modern smartphones have this enabled out of the box, but here is how to verify:

• For Android Users: NFC can be toggled on or off. The GWS app is designed to detect if your NFC is turned off and will automatically prompt you to enable it. To check manually go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > NFC and ensure it is toggled ON.
• For iPhone Users: NFC is automatically enabled. There is no setting to turn on or off—as long as your phone is unlocked, it is ready to scan your GWS Tag.

GWS works perfectly through standard plastic, silicone, leather, and rubber phone cases. However, a few specific styles can block the short-range signal:

• Metal Components: Built-in metal plates (for magnetic car mounts), metal kickstands, or heavy-duty aluminum armor cases will completely block NFC wireless communication.
• Wallet Cases: Storing multiple RFID-blocking credit cards or transit passes right between your phone and the tag can scramble the connection.
• Extreme Thickness: Ultra-rugged "survival" cases may occasionally push the phone's antenna just beyond the maximum reading distance of the tag.

Nope! The GWS app is free, contains zero in-app advertisements, and requires no monthly subscription fees. Our business model succeeds on your one-time purchase of our durable GWS Tags.

Yes. The app makes it easy to specify multiple unique GWS Tags, one for every bottle and place. You can name each tag (e.g., "Gym Jug," "Office Mug") and assign a custom water volume to it so that tapping that specific tag automatically logs the correct amount. Plus you can rename and reassign a GWS Tags water amount at any time (and your previous logs won't be affected).

Yes. In the app settings, you can customize your "effective day start and end time", reminder intervals, and smart reminders which account for your last logged water. This ensures your daily hydration calculations and reminders align perfectly with your waking hours, regardless of your sleep schedule.

Yes! The GWS Tag isn't locked to a single device. If you have a GWS Tag applied to a shared household pitcher, or if your spouse wants to tap their phone to your water bottle, there is no blocker preventing them from doing so. As long as the other person has an NFC-enabled phone and the free GWS app installed, tapping the tag will give them the ability to name it, and specify the associated water volume for their GWS App. It is the perfect way to help the whole family with water goals!

Absolutely. Sustainable habit formation is optimized with flexibility, which is why you can customize your tracking experience at any time:

• Daily Hydration Goal: Adjust your target fluid intake up or down whenever you like to work your way up to a sustainable baseline.
• Motivation Message: Write a custom phrase that displays in the app to keep you focused as you work toward your goal.
• Celebration Message: Customize your congratulatory pop-up message displayed the moment you cross your 100% target for the day.

In addition to custom goals, the app features a built-in Streak Count tracker. Every consecutive day you successfully hit your hydration target, your streak grows. Visualizing a continuous streak is a powerful psychological tool that gamifies your health journey, keeping you motivated as you build and achieve your water habit goals.

Not yet, but it is actively on our development roadmap. Currently, all tracking data remains securely self-contained within your GWS app.

Your privacy is a core value for us, which is why your daily hydration data is safely stored directly on your own device. To ensure you always have complete control over your information, the GWS app includes a fully manual, local data backup and restore tool:

• To Back Up: In the app settings, you can export your entire hydration history and saved tags into a secure backup file. You can save this file anywhere you specify—locally on your phone's internal storage, an external SD card, or your personal cloud drive (like Google Drive or iCloud).
• To Restore: If you upgrade your phone, lose your device, or reinstall the app, you can seamlessly recover everything. Simply navigate to the data settings, select the restore option, and select your backup file to instantly reload your history.

Because we don't force you into mandatory account creation or store your sensitive tracking logs on external company servers, keeping a periodic copy of this file is the best way to ensure your data is never lost.

No. GWS features full offline support. Whether you are traveling internationally, working in a deep basement office/gym, or on an epic backcountry hike far from cell service, the app functions perfectly offline.

Sustainability and philanthropy are hardcoded into our brand identity. Our app regularly features a rotating "Non-Profit Spotlight" showcasing the incredible work of verified organizations doing great things for our planet and its inhabitants. To stay true to our environmental mission, our physical packaging is kept minimal and eco-friendly to reduce our carbon footprint.

Special care went into selecting packaging that perfectly mirrors our dedication to the environment. Instead of heavy plastic mailers or oversized shiny cardboard boxes, we ship exclusively using premium Neenah Environment A1 envelopes.

Every detail of this packaging design is optimized for sustainability:

• True Minimalist Sizing: At a compact 3"x5" inches, these envelopes are precisely sized to match our product contents. This drastically reduces material waste, saves space, and drops shipping weight to minimize transportation CO2 impact.
• 100% Recycled Fiber: The smooth, desert-brown paper is manufactured using 100% recycled fiber.
• Green Seal™ Certified: This independent recognition ensures the paper meets strict environmental processes, uses a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste, and guarantees the manufacturing mill utilizes eco-preferable practices.
• Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Certified: This verifies that the raw forest resources used are responsively managed and strictly follow the FSC's rigorous chain-of-custody standards (License Code: FSC® C011397).

We stand entirely behind our user experience. GWS offers a generous automated, no-questions-asked, 60-day money-back guarantee available directly on our website. If the product isn't a perfect fit for your lifestyle, you can request a refund.

No. In our effort to maintain purposeful, highly sustainable, and eco-friendly packaging, every standard order is fulfilled securely via standard USPS delivery without the plastic waste or carbon overhead of tracking infrastructure.