Device tracking refers to the process of automatically recording a user's location data and movement over time, while using the EarthRanger Mobile app.

This data creates a digital path made up of “tracking points” that helps you and your team visualize the movements and activities of tracked subjects (wildlife, vehicles, etc.) within the protected area. 

When tracking is enabled, EarthRanger Mobile will continually attempt to submit the most recently recorded position to the EarthRanger system in real-time.  Note: You must have an active internet connection for real-time tracking Offline Data is recorded w/o an internet connection Stored locally in tracking database Synced with your instance next time the device connects to the internet

• Track points will sync as long as the device has an active connection to a cellular or wireless network.
• If the device does not have an active connection, the data will still be recorded but will be stored in a local cache on the device. Once an active connection to a network is reestablished, EarthRanger Mobile will resume sending the data to the EarthRanger system.

EarthRanger Mobile leverages your device's built-in GPS capabilities to automatically capture your location as you use the app, even when an internet connection is unavailable.  EarthRanger will continue to record the tracks and sync them when an internet connection is available.  Tracking is dependent directly on the GPS integration to work.  You can see the pending tracks to be uploaded on the Status view.

Tracking/Patrol

The first time you open the app the default state of the Map View will be Tracking/Patrol. This is also the state if you log out and log in again. You have two options to start tracking by:

1. Tap on the button Tracking at the bottom of the Map View.
2. Tap on the Patrol button at the bottom of the Map View. This will start tracking associated with a patrol. 

While the tracking is off you will see the indicator of the user’s location moving, but tracks will not be recorded or uploaded to the EarthRanger system.

Start Tracking

Tapping the Tracking button from the Map View bottom sheet will initiate device tracking and change the bottom sheet context to your devices tracking status.

	EarthRanger mobile will start capturing the device's position as the device's coordinates.   The tracking status bottom sheet can be expanded to allow you to start a Patrol at any time while the device is tracking. To initiate the full tracking status display, slide the bottom sheet up.

Tapping the Start Patrol button will initiate the start patrol workflow in the app and allow all tracks from that point onward to be included as part of the patrol. 

Tracking Status

	The Tracking Status display tells you about the current status of the tracking feature in the app: Status: Tracking Live Tracking is on Internet connection available Location points will be uploaded / synced in real-time
	Status: Tracking On       Tracking is on   No Internet connection available Location points cannot be uploaded in real-time, but EarthRanger caches all location points in database (they are not lost) You can stop tracking while offline and all recorded data will be safely stored on the device (persisted) until it gets an internet connection App will aggressively try to upload recorded track points to the server once connection is re-established

Current Tracks

Creates a track line from the generated track points. Directional arrows Not persisted Tracks can be seen again when viewing on the web

• Track observation points will be connected by a straight line representing a track. 
• This line is not a true representation of the track of the device as it simply connects all observation points that have been recorded. 
• Only the observation points, represented by the blue arrows, are uploaded to your EarthRanger site server.

Track Points

Tracking points are calculated based on a distance-to-speed relationship.  When a user is in a helicopter, the distance between track points is larger resulting in fewer track points as speed increases. You can adjust the tracking sensitivity in settings

End Tracking

App will stop creating tracking points.  You will not see tracks for the subject for movement after the point at which tracking is disabled.

Coordinates Bar

The coordinates of the center of the map. They will display in the coordinates type selected in settings. Select the coordinate units that best fit your needs.

Basemaps

Basemaps are like the canvas of a map – they provide the background on which all other information is displayed.  With EarthRanger, you can choose different basemaps to suit your preferences. From topographic view to satellite or street view.

When Tracking Doesn’t Work as Expected

If the EarthRanger mobile app isn’t recording your movements or updating your location, the issue is often caused by phone-level settings rather than the app itself. Android devices apply battery optimization and location permissions that can limit how often an app runs in the background.

Before assuming the issue is with EarthRanger, review the settings below to ensure that Location Services are fully enabled and that the app is allowed to run continuously in the background. These steps vary slightly depending on your Android version and device manufacturer.

EarthRanger version 2.11.2

Up Next: Explore Patrols Feed and Details in EarthRanger Web