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en:help:v2:tracker [2018/12/28 15:47] – [How to correctly setup your device for background track recording?] alpinequesten:help:v2:tracker [2021/09/07 11:11] – [Recorded track doesn't precisely follow my real locations] alpinequest
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 {{:icon_help.png?nolink}} At any time you can close the track recorder panel by tapping on the ''"**Close**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} icon, or even completely close the application, the track recorder will keep on recording locations in the background. {{:icon_help.png?nolink}} At any time you can close the track recorder panel by tapping on the ''"**Close**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} icon, or even completely close the application, the track recorder will keep on recording locations in the background.
 +
 +If you have previously recorded some tracks, you can list them by taping on ''"**Recorded tracks**"'' {{:icon_07.png?nolink}} or get details on the last recorded track by taping ''"**Last recorded track**"'' {{:icon_08.png?nolink}}.
  
 {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-start.jpg?nolink }} {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-start.jpg?nolink }}
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 While recording a track, you can add waypoints and pictures to it. While recording a track, you can add waypoints and pictures to it.
  
-To add a waypoint or a picture at your current location+  * To add a waypoint or a picture at your current location, open the track recorder panel and tap on the ''"**Add waypoint**"'' {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} icon to add a waypoint, or on the ''"**Add picture**"'' {{:icon_02.png?nolink}} icon to add a picture. 
-  * Tap on the screen center icon {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} and on ''"**Track recorder**"'' {{:icon_02.png?nolink}} to display the track recorder side panel; +  * You can also display the track recorder menu {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} where you'll find more options {{:icon_04.png?nolink}}.
-  * Tap on ''"**Waypoint**"'' {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} to add a waypoint, or on ''"**Picture**"'' {{:icon_04.png?nolink}} to add a picture.+
  
-{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} The application calls the default device Camera application to take pictures. If the default Camera application is not compatibleyou won't be able to take pictures as explained hereThe alternative solution is to take regular pictures with your Camera application, and add them later using waypoints linked to pictures taken from your gallery.+  * To add a waypoint or a picture at any other location, move the screen center icon {{:icon_05.png?nolink}} over the location you want to add the waypoint or picture onand tap on it to display the track recorder popupTap on the ''"**Add waypoint**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} icon to add a waypoint, or on the ''"**Add picture**"'' {{:icon_07.png?nolink}} icon to add a picture.
  
-To add a waypoint or a picture at any other location: +{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} The application calls the default device Camera application to take pictures. If the default Camera application is not compatibleyou won't be able to take pictures as explained hereThe alternative solution is to take regular pictures with your Camera application, and add them later using waypoints linked to pictures taken from your gallery.
-  * Move the screen center icon {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} over the location you want to add the waypoint or picture onand tap on it; +
-  * Tap on the ''"**Add waypoint**"'' {{:icon_05.png?nolink}} icon to add a waypoint, or on the ''"**Add picture**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} icon to add a picture.+
  
 {{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Track waypoints are exported with the track when choosing the GPX, KML or KMZ formats. Pictures are only exported when choosing the KMZ format. The resulting file size may be large depending on the number of pictures. {{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Track waypoints are exported with the track when choosing the GPX, KML or KMZ formats. Pictures are only exported when choosing the KMZ format. The resulting file size may be large depending on the number of pictures.
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 \\ \\
  
-===== How to pause or stop the record? =====+===== How to stop the record? =====
 \\ \\
-At any time, you can pause the track recorder by tapping on the location tracker toggle {{:icon_01.png?nolink}}. The background service will be completely stopped, but the recorded track will still be displayed on the map. For example, you can pause the track recorder during the night of two days hike.+At any time, you can stop the track recorder by tapping on the location tracker toggle {{:icon_01.png?nolink}}. The background service will be completely stopped, the recorded track saved and displayed on the map with (by default) purple color {{:icon_05.png?nolink}}.
  
-{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} You don't have to pause the track recorder during small breaks, the application will automatically detect that you're not moving and will take this into account when computing statistics.+{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} You don't have to stop the track recorder during small breaks, the application will automatically detect that you're not moving and will take this into account when computing statistics.
  
-To resume the recordjust tap on the track recorder toggle {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} again.+If you want to name the recorded track before stopping the recordingtap the track recorder menu icon {{:icon_02.png?nolink}}, and tap on the current track name {{:icon_03.png?nolink}}. You can name the recorded track at any time during the recording, or after stopping the track recorder by editing the track details. You can also stop the recording from this menu by tapping ''"**Stop**"'' {{:icon_04.png?nolink}}.
  
-If you've reach the end of your track, tap on ''"**Save & Stop**"'' {{:icon_02.png?nolink}} to stop the track recorder. If you wantyou can type a name for your track {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} and/or add additional information like a description or a display color by tapping on ''"**More...**"'' {{:icon_04.png?nolink}}. Tap on ''"**Ok**"'' {{:icon_05.png?nolink}} to save the track and remove it from the map. +Once you've stopped the track recorder, the last recorded track will be displayed in the ''"**Last recorded track**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} section, from where you can: 
- +  * Display details, statistics and graphics by tapping on ''"**Details**"'' {{:icon_07.png?nolink}}; 
-You track will be displayed in the ''"**Last recorded track**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} section, from where you can: +  * Resume it by tapping on ''"**Resume**"'' {{:icon_08.png?nolink}}; 
-  * Resume it by tapping on ''"**Resume**"'' {{:icon_07.png?nolink}}; +  * Tap the track menu icon {{:icon_09.png?nolink}} to display the track menu where you'll find more options.
-  * Display details, statistics and graphics by tapping on ''"**Details**"'' {{:icon_08.png?nolink}}; +
-  * Display or hide the last recorded track by tapping on its name {{:icon_09.png?nolink}}.+
  
 {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-stop.jpg?nolink }} {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-stop.jpg?nolink }}
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 In recent Android versions, multiple optimization tools have been added in order to reduce battery usage, especially targeting background applications. For example, the "Doze" mode will stop all applications on your device when your screen is turned off for some time. In order to correctly record tracks even when your screen is turned off, you need to disable those optimizations for the application. In recent Android versions, multiple optimization tools have been added in order to reduce battery usage, especially targeting background applications. For example, the "Doze" mode will stop all applications on your device when your screen is turned off for some time. In order to correctly record tracks even when your screen is turned off, you need to disable those optimizations for the application.
  
-{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Exact steps may very depending on your device brand and system version.+{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Exact steps may vary depending on your device brand and system version.
  
 __Example on Samsung devices__: __Example on Samsung devices__:
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 {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-doze-huawei-2.jpg?nolink }} {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-doze-huawei-2.jpg?nolink }}
  
-An alternative how-to [[http://www.greenbot.com/article/3112224/android/what-you-need-to-know-about-doze-mode-in-android-nougat.html|is available here]].+Additional information can be found here: [[https://sleep.urbandroid.org/documentation/faq/alarms-sleep-tracking-dont-work/|sleep.urbandroid.org]].
  
 {{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Depending on your device, you may need to configure additional settings as explained below. {{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Depending on your device, you may need to configure additional settings as explained below.
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 ===== Problems with the track recorder ===== ===== Problems with the track recorder =====
 +{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-location.jpg?nolink}}
 +
 +Most (if not all) of the tracking problems are due to the battery optimisations made by the Android system itself. Commonly, the GPS is disabled when the screen is turned off, or background applications are killed after some delay.
 +
 +You need to correctly setup your device and be sure that:
 +  * The application (it's tracking service) is not stopped by the system after some time;
 +  * The GPS remains available to applications even if the screen is turned off.
 +
 +There are usually only a few settings to change (see above section [[en:help:v2:tracker#how_to_correctly_setup_your_device_for_background_track_recording|here]]), but some device brands add their own economy tools and more settings may need to be changed. In case of problems, please contact your device's brand help desk to ask how to disable battery optimisation related to the GPS.
 +
 +{{:icon_help.png?nolink }} There is unfortunately nothing we can do if the device system stops the application or the GPS by itself.
 +
 \\ \\
-**Track not correctly recorded when the screen is turned off**\\ + 
-On top of the Android battery optimization tools, some brands also include their own tools that may disable the use of GPS or network for background applications, and so prevent the good operation of the track recorder. Be sure to disable those behaviors or grant the application the correct permissions. Here are some examples:+==== Track not correctly recorded when the screen is turned off ==== 
 + 
 +On top of the Android battery optimization tools (see above section [[en:help:v2:tracker#how_to_correctly_setup_your_device_for_background_track_recording|here]]), some brands also include their own tools that may disable the use of GPS or network for background applications, and so prevent the good operation of the track recorder. Be sure to disable those behaviors or grant the application the correct permissions. 
 + 
 +For example, you can check that the application is allowed to access to your GPS location even when the device is not used (screen off) as you can see on the right. 
 + 
 +Here are some other examples:
  
 __For Huawei devices__: __For Huawei devices__:
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   * Un-check "**''Close excessively power-intensive apps''**" {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} to prevent the application from being closed.   * Un-check "**''Close excessively power-intensive apps''**" {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} to prevent the application from being closed.
  
-{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-huawei-1.jpg?nolink }}+{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-huawei.jpg?nolink }}
  
 __For Xiaomi/Vivo devices__: ([[https://in.c.mi.com/thread-253478-1-0.html|see here]]) __For Xiaomi/Vivo devices__: ([[https://in.c.mi.com/thread-253478-1-0.html|see here]])
-> → //Settings > App Settings > Permissions > Autostart// +  * In your devices settings, tap "**''Battery & Performance''**"; 
-> → //Settings > App Settings > Permissions > Other permissions > Permissions > Start in background// +  * In the battery saver category, tap "**''Choose apps''**" {{:icon_01.png?nolink}}; 
-> → //Settings > Battery > Manage apps battery usage > No restrictions//+  * Locate and tap "**''AlpineQuest''**" {{:icon_02.png?nolink}}; 
 +  * Tap "**''No restrictions''**" {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} to allow the application to run in the background without being closed; 
 +  * Tap the top application name {{:icon_04.png?nolink}} to validate and return to the applications list. 
 + 
 +{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-xiaomi.jpg?nolink }} 
 + 
 +__For HTC devices__:\\ 
 +[[https://www.htc.com/us/support/htc-one-m9/howto/696906.html|See here]]
  
 __For some other devices__: __For some other devices__:
 > → //Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization// > → //Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization//
 +> → //Settings > Battery > Manage apps battery usage > No restrictions//
  
 For some devices (like Huawei Mate 10), a system update can also fix this problem. For some devices (like Huawei Mate 10), a system update can also fix this problem.
  
-**The track recorder service stops**\\+{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} More information can be found on [[https://dontkillmyapp.com/|dontkillmyapp.com]]. 
 + 
 +==== The track recorder service stops ==== 
 In addition of being closed by the system as seen before, some "device/memory cleaner/booster" applications automatically kill background processes. If you use such applications, be sure to add the track recorder service in the exclude list of your cleaning application so it doesn't get killed. In addition of being closed by the system as seen before, some "device/memory cleaner/booster" applications automatically kill background processes. If you use such applications, be sure to add the track recorder service in the exclude list of your cleaning application so it doesn't get killed.
  
-**Loss of the GPS signal**\\+==== Loss of the GPS signal ==== 
 A common issue when recording a track is the loss of the GPS signal, leading to a missing part in the recorded track (seen as a straight line longer than usual). It usually happens because the device doesn't have a good enough access to the sky, for example when the device is placed in a deep pocket or in a bag. The GPS signal emitted by GPS satellites is weak and get easily lost when going through any material. If you have checked "**''Warn me if the GPS signal is lost or too weak''**" {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} option, the application will play a song when this happens. A common issue when recording a track is the loss of the GPS signal, leading to a missing part in the recorded track (seen as a straight line longer than usual). It usually happens because the device doesn't have a good enough access to the sky, for example when the device is placed in a deep pocket or in a bag. The GPS signal emitted by GPS satellites is weak and get easily lost when going through any material. If you have checked "**''Warn me if the GPS signal is lost or too weak''**" {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} option, the application will play a song when this happens.
  
-**Device gets hot**\\+==== Recorded track doesn't precisely follow my real locations ==== 
 + 
 +Some devices perform better than others when using the GPS, depending on the quality of the hardware used and the internal conception (placement of the GPS chip inside the device). Some devices require a stronger GPS signal to give an acceptable accuracy. For example, here is the same track recorded at the same time by two different devices (one in the left pocket, one in the right) during a small outside walk with occasional stays inside buildings. We can see that the Samsung Galaxy S9 {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} performs better than the Huawei P10 Lite {{:icon_02.png?nolink}}. [[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jXtRCoEnnFNWj6_oFlVWflsf-b0jkfZpyhN-BXsv7uo/edit#gid=0|Here is a very interesting list]] describing the hardware used in a large number of devices. 
 + 
 +{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-compare.jpg?nolink }} 
 + 
 +==== Device gets hot ==== 
 Tracking a path requires frequent GPS location updates and some devices (mainly old or low-cost ones, but not always) doesn't support the GPS being turned on for long hours. Common symptoms in this case can be: Tracking a path requires frequent GPS location updates and some devices (mainly old or low-cost ones, but not always) doesn't support the GPS being turned on for long hours. Common symptoms in this case can be:
   * The device becomes more hot than usual;   * The device becomes more hot than usual;