Geofencing: Troubleshooting

Successful automatic check-ins via geofence depends on your iOS or Android device features. Here are some things to check if you find that automatic check-in isn't working. 

Have you checked in using the mobile app at least once?

You need to ‘enrol’ at a site by scanning the QR code using your app before auto check-in will work. 

Is auto check-in enabled?

On the EVA Check-in app, make sure that Check-in reminders, Auto check in and Auto check out are enabled for the relevant check in location(s) - access via the settings wheel top right.

Are users getting a geofence reminder instead of an automatic check-in?

If users are receiving a geofence reminder, the geofence may already be working correctly.

A geofence reminder usually means one of these things:

• Auto check-in is not enabled for that site in the EVA Check-in app
• EVA needs more information before it can complete the check-in automatically

This can happen if:

• the user has not fully set up their site check-in
• required profile information is missing
• custom check-in questions still need to be completed
• another required field needs user input

Entry zone 

If the site uses entry zones, automatic geofence check-in may not work as expected if the geofence is attached to an entry zone rather than the destination zone. This is another case where users may get a geofence reminder.

Recommended set-up: Assign geofences to the destination zone rather than the entry zone when you want automatic check-in to complete without user input.

Do you have network connectivity?

EVA Check-in requires a strong, reliable connection to the internet for automatic check-in to work successfully. If you physically cross your geofence boundary in an area where you have poor internet coverage, geofence-based events can be delayed, despite you having successfully crossed a boundary.

Possible solutions

Adjust the position of your geofence to cover an area where you will have stronger internet coverage. 

Is location sharing enabled?

If location sharing is disabled on your device, your EVA Check-in app will not be informed when you enter or exit a geofence.

Possible solutions

Make sure the EVA Check-in app has the appropriate location permissions in iOS or Android.

iOS

• Go to iOS Settings, then the EVA Check-in app
• Tap Location
• Tap Always 
• If your device is on iOS 14 or higher, ensure that “Precise Location” is also enabled for the EVA Check-in app

 

Android 8.x - 10.x

• Go to Settings
• Tap Apps
• Tap EVA Check-in
• Tap Permissions
• Set Location on

Android 11.x +

• Go to Settings
• Tap Location
• Tap App Permissions
• Tap EVA Check-in
• Set "Allow all the time"

Is Motion & Fitness disabled on iOS?

EVA Check-in needs to be able to detect motion as well as location for successful automatic check-in/out. 

iOS

• Go to iOS Settings, then the EVA Check-in app
• Ensure that Motion & Fitness is toggled on
• If you're unable to turn on that setting, you'll first need to enable Fitness Tracking on your device: go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Motion & Fitness and turn on Fitness Tracking. Restart the EVA Check-in app and try enabling auto check-in/out.

Is airplane mode on?

When Airplane mode is enabled, cellular and wifi connections are disabled automatically. As a result, your device may not be able to detect that a geofence boundary has been crossed.

Possible solutions

iOS

Go to Settings and check the “Airplane Mode” toggle at the top of the list. It should be in the off (disabled) position 

Android

Go to Settings, then Network & Internet,  and check the “Airplane Mode” toggle. It should be in the off (disabled) position. 

Are battery savers and power optimisers stopping EVA Check-in from running?

iOS and Android offer functionality to help extend battery life. This can limit how often location changes are reported to apps by the mobile device, as well as how often apps are allowed to communicate in the background with the internet. For geofencing to work, the EVA Check-in app must be informed of major location changes by your iOS or Android device and be able to promptly communicate with EVA Check-in servers to check you in or out.

Possible solutions for iOS

Check to make sure that low battery mode is disabled. 

• Go to iOS settings
• Tap Battery
• Ensure Low Power Mode is in the off (disabled) position

Ensure that “Background App Refresh” and “Mobile Data” are both enabled 

• Go to iOS Settings, then the EVA Check-in app to check these settings.

Check any third-party apps that could be limiting the app’s functionality, such as VPNs.

Possible solutions for battery savers and power optimisers on Android

Some Android device manufacturers introduce unique applications and settings to the Android operating system on their devices. 

As such, the following list may not cover all areas where Android OS may be preventing timely geofence activations. Depending on your device and version of the Android operating system, some settings may be in a different location than as described below, may not have an impact, or may not be available.

In App info 

In Android system settings, go to the EVA Check-in app (either by searching for it, or by tapping on Apps & Notifications > See all apps > EVA Check-in)

In Mobile data & wifi, ensure the EVA Check-in app has Background data enabled. Enabling Unrestricted data usage may also help with geofence functionality when data saving features are enabled.

In Battery, ensure the EVA Check-in app can use battery in the background. Changing Battery optimization to “Not optimized” may also help with geofence functionality.

Low data mode

• Go to Android settings
• Tap Network & Internet
• Tap Data Saver
• Either disable Data Saver, or tap Unrestricted data and enable the EVA Check-in app

Battery saver

• Go to Android settings
• Tap Battery
• Tap Battery Saver

Check your current settings, such as whether you have the option to turn off Battery Saver, change the schedule, and your settings for Extreme Battery Saver. In all cases, automatic check-in/out will work most reliably when the EVA Check-in app is not restricted by Battery Saver settings

Adaptive Battery

• Go to Android settings
• Tap Battery
• Tap Adaptive Battery
• Disable Adaptive Battery

Battery optimizer

In Android settings, tap the search icon, and type “battery optimization”

• Go to Android settings
• Tap Apps
• Tap EVA Check-in
• Tap Battery
• Tap Optimize battery usage
• Find EVA Check-in in the Optimized list or All apps
• Set to not optimized

Android 9.x - 11.x

• Go to Settings
• Tap Device Maintenance
• Tap EVA Check-in
• Tap Battery (may be in Advanced)
• Tap Battery optimization - EVA Check-in
• Set "Unrestricted" or Don't optimize to allow app to use battery in background
• Set "Remove permissions if app is unused" to OFF. (Android 11+)

Android 12+

• Go to Settings
• Tap Apps
• Tap EVA Check-in
• Tap Battery
• Set "Unrestricted" to allow app to use battery in background

“Doze” (on Huawei Phones)

• Open your Huawei devices phone settings.
• Select Battery.
• Select App Launch
• Find the EVA Check-in app and toggle it off; also ensure that Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and “Run in the background” are enabled for the EVA Check-in app

EVA Check-in app has not been recently launched

Some phones and operating systems may limit functionality of an app that has not been used recently. If modifying battery and data settings do not appear to help, also ensure that the EVA Check-in app is being launched once every 2-3 days. 

Check-out happening too often or not often enough?

• Under the app Geofence settings try High Accuracy mode instead of Battery Saver mode
• Try "re-check location" setting to force a verification of you phone location after a delay. This can help counteract inaccurate GPS readings.

Third party apps

Check any third-party apps that could be limiting the app’s functionality, such as VPNs or task killers.