Why Location Services Need to Be Enabled on Mobile

Why does GoSpotCheck need Location Services?

GoSpotCheck uses your device's location to provide location-based features, including:

• Showing nearby places and missions
• Geo-stamping mission responses when they are submitted
• Helping confirm that work was completed at the appropriate location

How does GoSpotCheck use my location?

GoSpotCheck uses Google's location technology on both Android and iOS to determine your device's location. It combines available signals such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks to provide the best available location while minimizing battery usage.

GoSpotCheck does not continuously track your location simply because Location Services are enabled. The app requests your location when it is needed for a location-based feature.

When a location is needed, the app:

• Checks for a recent location
  It first checks whether a recent location is already available, generally from within the last 60 seconds. If one is available, it can reuse it without making another location request.
• Checks location settings
  It verifies that the necessary location services are available and that the device allows GoSpotCheck to request a location.
• Requests a location
  The app makes a one-time location request rather than continuously tracking the device. It first attempts to obtain a location using a battery-efficient accuracy setting. If that does not provide a location, it can retry using a higher-accuracy request that uses GPS.
• Uses a fallback when possible
  If a current location cannot be obtained, the app may use the device's last known location. If no usable location is available, the app will indicate that location reception is insufficient.

What needs to be turned on?

Location access depends on two settings: your device's main location setting and GoSpotCheck's app permission.

Device Location Services

Your device's main Location Services setting must be turned on.

If this is off, GoSpotCheck cannot access location, even if the app permission was previously allowed.

GoSpotCheck location permission

GoSpotCheck also needs location permission in the device's app settings.

Android

On Android, GoSpotCheck uses Google's Fused Location Provider, which combines available location signals to determine your location.

Android devices can also have additional settings that affect location accuracy and availability, including Location Accuracy, Google Location Services, battery optimization, app permissions, and device-management policies.

The exact settings and names can vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer.

Turn on device Location Services

• Open Settings.
• Tap Location.
• Turn Use location on.

Turn on GoSpotCheck app location permission

• Open Settings.
• Tap Location, then App location permissions.
• Select GoSpotCheck.
• Choose Allow all the time.
• If available, turn Use precise location on.

iOS

On iPhone and iPad, GoSpotCheck uses Google's location technology to obtain your device's location when needed.

Check both the device-level Location Services setting and GoSpotCheck's app permission. If precision is required, enable Precise Location for GoSpotCheck.

Turn on device Location Services

• Open Settings.
• Tap Privacy & Security.
• Tap Location Services.
• Turn Location Services on.

Turn on GoSpotCheck app location permission

• Open Settings.
• Tap Privacy & Security, then Location Services.
• Scroll down and select GoSpotCheck.
• Choose Always.
• Turn Precise Location on if accurate location is required.

Why might location be unavailable if I didn't turn it off?

Location access can change because of device settings, updates, restrictions, or temporary signal issues. Common causes include:

• A device or privacy setting restricting location access
• Battery-saving or power-management settings
• An operating system update, device reset, or restored device changing permissions or settings
• GoSpotCheck's individual location permission being changed while device Location Services remain on
• Company-managed devices restricting location through security or device-management policies
• Additional Android location or accuracy settings
• Temporary difficulty obtaining a location because of poor GPS, Wi-Fi, or cellular reception

What if Location Services are on but GoSpotCheck still cannot find my location?

Location Services being enabled does not guarantee that a location will always be available. Your device may have difficulty determining its location in places such as:

• Large or enclosed buildings
• Underground areas
• Areas with poor GPS reception
• Locations with limited Wi-Fi or cellular signals
• Areas where buildings or other physical obstructions interfere with GPS

If GoSpotCheck cannot obtain a current location, it may report that location is unavailable.

In short

For GoSpotCheck's location-based features to work, confirm:

Device Location Services are ON, GoSpotCheck location permission is ON, and Precise Location is enabled on iOS when required.

GoSpotCheck requests your location when it is needed for features such as finding nearby places and geo-stamping mission responses.