Skip to main content

โš ๏ธ Essential Device Settings

A few phone settings are necessary so EarthRanger can access your device location, track when you are moving to optimize battery usage and run properly in the background. This takes less than five minutes and only needs to be done once.

warning

Grant EarthRanger the necessary access before going into the field. Skipping this step is the most common reason for tracking / app issues and inaccurate data.

Without the correct settings, your device may pause the app the moment your screen turns off, causing gaps in your patrol track or stopping tracking entirely with no warning.

Location Accessโ€‹

Set to "Allow all the time" (Android) or "Always" (iOS).

  • Android: Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Permissions โ†’ Location โ†’ Allow all the time
  • iOS: Settings โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Location โ†’ Always
    • Ensure "Precise location" is selected

Battery Optimizationโ€‹

This is the most common cause of background tracking failure. The app must be whitelisted/excluded from battery-saving restrictions.

ManufacturerPath
SamsungSettings โ†’ Device Care โ†’ Battery โ†’ App Power Management โ†’ add EarthRanger to "Unmonitored apps"
OPPO / ColorOSSettings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Smart Power Saving โ†’ disable for EarthRanger
Huawei / HarmonyOSSettings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery โ†’ disable "Power-intensive prompt" and set App Launch to "Manage manually"
Xiaomi / MIUISettings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Manage Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery Saver โ†’ No restrictions
UlefoneSettings โ†’ DuraSpeed โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ ON (Turn on the switch to allow app to run in the background)
Other AndroidSearch your device Settings for "Battery Optimization" and set EarthRanger to Unrestricted or Don't optimize
Can't find the setting?

Search your phone's Settings app for "Battery Optimization" or "EarthRanger" to locate the correct menu.

Physical Activity / Motion (Android)โ€‹

Allow access when prompted. This helps the app distinguish between stationary and moving states, improving track accuracy and battery usage.

When Tracking Doesn't Work as Expectedโ€‹

If EarthRanger isn't recording your movements or updating your location, the issue is usually caused by phone settings, not the app itself.

tip

Menu names may differ depending on your device brand and Android version. If you can't find a setting, search for "EarthRanger" in your device's Settings search bar.

Work through the steps below in order.

1. Turn On Location Services

Go to Settings โ†’ Location and make sure Location is switched ON at the device level. If this is off, no app can track location.

2. Set Location Permission to "Allow all the time"

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Permissions โ†’ Location and select Allow all the time.

warning

If set to "Only while using the app," tracking will stop the moment your screen turns off.

3. Enable High Accuracy Mode

Go to Settings โ†’ Location โ†’ Mode (or Location accuracy) and select High accuracy. This uses GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks together for the best results.

4. Turn Off Battery Optimization

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery and select Unrestricted (or Don't optimize).

warning

This is the most common cause of tracking stopping unexpectedly.

5. Allow Background Activity

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery (or Mobile Data & Battery) and make sure Allow background activity is turned on.

6. Move to a Different Location

If you're indoors or near tall buildings, GPS signal may be blocked. Step outside into an open area and check whether tracking resumes.

7. Restart the App

Close EarthRanger fully (remove it from recent apps), then reopen it. If you see a session or login error, log out and log back in before starting a new track.

8. Restart the Device

A full device restart can resolve background process issues that an app restart won't fix.

9. Check GPS Signal

Install GPS Test (free on Google Play) to check satellite signal strength and reset GPS data. If the app shows weak or no signal even outdoors, the device may have a hardware issue.

Device-Specific Stepsโ€‹

Samsung Android 14โ€‹

Samsung (Android 14)

Samsung's Good Guardians app operates at a low system level and can override standard Android battery settings.

Disable Battery Guardian:

  1. Open the Good Guardians app
  2. Tap Battery Guardian
  3. Find App power saving and toggle it OFF

Lock EarthRanger in memory (Keep Open):

  1. Open EarthRanger
  2. Open the Recent Apps menu (swipe up or tap the square navigation button)
  3. Tap the EarthRanger icon at the top of its preview card
  4. Select Keep open
note

A padlock icon will appear on the app card confirming it's locked. Samsung typically limits this to one app at a time on Android 14.

Android 13โ€‹

Android 13

Step 1: Set Battery Usage to Unrestricted

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery and select Unrestricted.

Step 2: Stop the Device from Pausing the App

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger, scroll to the bottom of the app info page, and toggle OFF the option labelled Pause app activity if unused (on some versions this may say "Remove permissions if app is unused").

Step 3: Disable Auto-Restart (Samsung only)

Go to Settings โ†’ Battery and device care โ†’ Auto optimization and toggle OFF the option labelled Restart when needed.

Android 11โ€‹

Android 11
  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimize battery usage (or Battery Optimization)
  2. Change the dropdown at the top from "Apps not optimized" to All
  3. Find EarthRanger in the list and toggle the switch OFF (Don't optimize)
  4. Go to Battery โ†’ Background usage limits and disable Put unused apps to sleep
Recommended

Go to Battery โ†’ Never sleeping apps, tap the + icon, select EarthRanger, and tap Add. This prevents Samsung from ever forcing the app into a deep sleep while you are tracking.

Ulefoneโ€‹

Ulefone Devices

Ulefone devices use a system-level task-killer called DuraSpeed that can force EarthRanger to close when the screen turns off.

Step 1: Whitelist EarthRanger in DuraSpeed

  1. Open Settings and scroll to the very bottom
  2. Tap DuraSpeed
  3. Find EarthRanger in the list and toggle it ON
note

You can disable DuraSpeed entirely using the main toggle at the top of the screen, but on some Ulefone models it may re-enable itself after a restart. Whitelisting EarthRanger individually is the more reliable approach.

Step 2: Set Battery Usage to Unrestricted

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps (or App Management) โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Battery (or App battery usage) and select Unrestricted (or "Don't optimize").

Step 3: Verify Background Location Access

Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ EarthRanger โ†’ Permissions โ†’ Location and select Allow all the time.

For additional help, visit the EarthRanger Help Center or contact your site administrator.