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en:help:v2:tracker [2020/05/01 14:32] – [How to correctly setup your device for background track recording?] alpinequesten:help:v2:tracker [2023/10/09 21:52] (current) psyberia
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-<sub>[[en:help|Online Help]] > [[en:help:v2|AlpineQuest 2.x]] > [[en:help:v2:geolocation|Positioning]]</sub>+<sub>[[en:help:v2|Online Help]] > [[en:help:v2:geolocation|Positioning]] > Track recorder</sub>
  
 ====== The track recorder ====== ====== The track recorder ======
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   * Tap on the ''"**Track recorder toggle**"'' {{:icon_04.png?nolink}} at the left of the title bar.   * Tap on the ''"**Track recorder toggle**"'' {{:icon_04.png?nolink}} at the left of the title bar.
  
-This second method allows you to change the track recorder settings before starting it, by tapping on the ''"**Settings**"'' {{:icon_05.png?nolink}} icon.+This second method allows you to change the track recorder settings before starting it, by tapping on the ''"**Settings**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} icon.
  
-{{: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_05.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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 Tap on ''"**Details**"'' {{:icon_08.png?nolink}} to get detailed statistics. In the information window, you can tap on ''"**More**"'' {{:icon_09.png?nolink}} to get even more statistics. Tap on ''"**Details**"'' {{:icon_08.png?nolink}} to get detailed statistics. In the information window, you can tap on ''"**More**"'' {{:icon_09.png?nolink}} to get even more statistics.
  
-{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} More information on [[en:help:v2:landmarks:statistics|statistics is available here]].+{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} More information on [[en:help:v2:placemarks:statistics|statistics is available here]].
  
 {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-details.jpg?nolink }} {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-details.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 }}
 \\ \\
  
-===== How to list recorded tracks? =====+===== How to manage recorded tracks? =====
 \\ \\
-At any time you can list all previously recorded tracks: +[[en:help:v2:tracker:list|See here how to list, filtermanage and export recorded tracks.]]
-  * Tap on the ''"**Landmarks**"'' {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} menu icon and on ''"**Explore landmarks**"'' {{:icon_02.png?nolink}}; +
-  * Tap on the ''"**Recorded tracks**"'' {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} folder to list all recorded tracks {{:icon_04.png?nolink}}; +
- +
-{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-recorded-tracks.jpg?nolink }} +
-\\ +
- +
-===== How to export recorded tracks? ===== +
-\\ +
-You can export your recorded tracks in various formats to use them in an external applications. +
-  * If the track you want to export is the last recorded one, tap on the track menu icon {{:icon_01.png?nolink}} to display the actions menu; +
-  * If the track is not the last recorded one, list the previously recorded tracks by tapping on ''"**Recorded tracks**"'' {{:icon_02.png?nolink}} and long-press the track to export {{:icon_03.png?nolink}} (or tap on its icon {{:icon_04.png?nolink}}) to display the actions menu; +
-  * Choose ''"**Export as...**"'' {{:icon_05.png?nolink}} in the track actions menu. +
- +
-{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-export-1.jpg?nolink }} +
-\\ +
-In the list of available export formatschoose the one that best fits the external application you want to use, for example ''"**GPX**"'' {{:icon_06.png?nolink}} which offers a very good compatibility. +
- +
-Once the track has been exported, the full path of the exported file {{:icon_07.png?nolink}} is displayed. +
-  * Tap on ''"**Share**"'' {{:icon_08.png?nolink}} to share the file (send it as email, upload it on Dropbox, etc.); +
-  * Tap on ''"**Open**"'' {{:icon_09.png?nolink}} to open the file with a compatible application installed on your device (available choices {{:icon_11.png?nolink}} depend on the applications installed on your device); +
-  * Tap on ''"**Ok**"'' {{:icon_10.png?nolink}} to close the dialog. +
- +
-{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} Be careful when trying to access the exported file from a computer using an USB cable, Android takes time to update the file list of your device, and newly created ones may not be immediately visible. +
- +
-{{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-export-2.jpg?nolink }}+
  
 \\ \\
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 ===== Problems with the track recorder ===== ===== Problems with the track recorder =====
 {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-setup-location.jpg?nolink}} {{ :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 ==== ==== 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.+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. 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.
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 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.
 +
 +{{:icon_help.png?nolink}} More information can be found on [[https://dontkillmyapp.com/|dontkillmyapp.com]].
  
 ==== The track recorder service stops ==== ==== The track recorder service stops ====
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 ==== Recorded track doesn't precisely follow my real locations ==== ==== 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}}.+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 }} {{ :en:help:v2:positioning:tracker-compare.jpg?nolink }}