Overview
Location timers use a geofence around a visit property to start or stop visit time automatically, or remind the team to do so.
They reduce missed entries and improve timesheets, payroll review, and job costing.
Location timer availability
Location timers require enabled location services, appropriate user permissions, and mobile-device access.
Location timers and connectivity
Automatic geofence detection requires an internet connection.
Standard timers continue working offline. Their data is stored on the device and synchronized after connectivity returns. In low-connectivity areas, start and stop timers manually.
How to set up location-based time tracking
In Fieldified settings, enable Location Services and choose:
- Track time automatically near a visit.
- Receive reminders to start or stop timers near a visit.
Automatic mode begins and ends visit timers. Reminder mode sends actionable push notifications and gives the team more control around nearby visits, breaks, and supply runs.
Set up user permissions
Team members need:
- Schedule access to their assigned work.
- Permission to view and record their own time.
Manage access in Manage Team.
Device permissions
In the Fieldified App:
- Open More.
- Select Preferences.
- Enable Location timers.
- Grant background location access.
The preference appears only when account settings and user permissions allow location timers.
iPhones and iPads
Choose Always allow so geofences work while the app is in the background.
Android devices
- Choose Allow all the time.
- Allow physical-activity access.
- Set Fieldified battery use to Unrestricted.
The device can periodically ask whether background location access should continue.
How do location timers track team members?
Location timers detect arrival and departure near assigned visits. They do not provide continuous live-location monitoring.
GPS waypoints can be recorded when a user:
- Clocks general time in or out.
- Starts or stops visit time.
- Adds a note or attachment.
- Completes a visit.
- Completes an assessment.
- Completes a task.
The visit geofence extends approximately 200 meters or 656 feet. Departure updates can take up to three minutes.
When several visits overlap geographically, Fieldified asks the user to choose the correct visit manually.
Notifications
When the app is in the background, arrival and departure can trigger a push notification with the property address.
With the app open, an in-app message confirms timer activity.
Supported iOS devices can also display an active timer on the lock screen and Dynamic Island.
Multiple visits in one location
When several visits share the geofence, Fieldified sends a reminder instead of choosing automatically. Select the correct visit from the schedule.
Timesheets
When general time is running:
- Arrival stops general time and starts visit time.
- Departure stops visit time and resumes general time.
Review automatic entries from the mobile Timesheets area or Timesheets.
Turn off location timers
An administrator disables location timers from Fieldified web Location Services settings.
Turning them off removes automatic and reminder-based geofence behavior for the account.