Overview
Tracking allows users to record their movement as a line geometry using their device’s GPS. As the user moves, Fulcrum collects GPS locations and connects them into a continuous track.
Tracking is designed for workflows such as:
Field data collection
Navigation and route recording
Documenting movement or activity over time
Tracking is only available for Apps that support Line geometry.
What Does Tracking Record?
When Tracking is active:
GPS locations are collected automatically
Points are added only when accuracy and interval requirements are met
A line is drawn on the map to represent the recorded path
GPS quality and tracking status are continuously visible
Tracking helps ensure reliable data by:
Enforcing a required GPS accuracy threshold
Controlling how often points are collected
Preventing points from being recorded during poor GPS conditions
When to Use Tracking
Use Tracking when you need to:
Capture a real-world path instead of drawing a line manually
Record movement over time (walking, driving, surveying)
Maintain consistent spacing or timing between points
Adjust Tracking settings when:
GPS conditions are inconsistent
You need more or less detail in the recorded line
Battery usage becomes a concern
Movement speed changes significantly
Starting Tracking
Tracking is available only when the App is configured with Line as its geometry type.
To start Tracking:
Open an App that supports Line geometry.
Open the Location Editor for a record in the app.
Select Line as the geometry type.
Tap REC to begin Tracking.
Before Tracking starts, Fulcrum verifies that:
Location services are enabled
A GPS signal is available
The configured accuracy requirement is met
If location services are disabled, Tracking cannot start and the following message is shown:
"GPS location not available"
Tracking Status and Map Behavior
When Tracking is active:
The REC button changes to a pulsating red indicator
Stop and Delete buttons appear
The map follows the user’s movement
The accuracy bar displays live GPS accuracy
GPS Accuracy Bar
The accuracy bar displays real-time GPS quality and determines whether new points can be recorded.
Accuracy States
State | Meaning |
Green | GPS accuracy meets the required threshold |
Red | GPS accuracy does not meet requirements or is unavailable |
Accuracy Messages
Message | Meaning |
GPS location not available | GPS signal is unavailable or the location service has been disabled |
GPS accuracy [value] m/ft · [value] m/ft required | Current accuracy exceeds the required threshold |
When the accuracy bar is red:
No new points are recorded
Point collection resumes automatically once accuracy improves and meets the required threshold
Required Accuracy
Required Accuracy defines the maximum acceptable GPS error for recording new points.
How Required Accuracy Works
Required Accuracy is a threshold value:
Lower values indicate higher accuracy
GPS accuracy must be equal to or better than the configured value
Example
Required Accuracy: 10 m
GPS accuracy ≤ 10 m → points are recorded
GPS accuracy > 10 m → points are not recorded
Defaults and Limits
Setting | Metric | Imperial |
Default | 15 m | 50 ft |
Minimum | 10 m | 30 ft |
Maximum | 100 m | 300 ft |
When to Adjust Required Accuracy
Use lower values for precise paths in strong GPS conditions
Use higher values for consistent recording in poor GPS environments
Lower accuracy values require stronger GPS signal and may delay point collection or increase battery usage.
Tracking Settings require Fulcrum mobile app version 2602.1.0 or greater.
Interval Configuration
Intervals control when new GPS points are collected. Users must select either Distance or Time.
Distance-Based Interval
Records a point when the user moves a specified distance from the last recorded point.
Setting | Metric | Imperial |
Default | 3.0 m | 10.0 ft |
Minimum | 1.0 m | 3.0 ft |
Maximum | 100 m | 300 ft |
Best used when
Walking or slow movement
Capturing detailed paths and turns
If the user moves within a small area without exceeding the distance threshold, no new point is recorded.
Time-Based Interval
Records points at fixed time intervals.
Setting | Value |
Default | 10 seconds |
Options | 1s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min |
A movement filter is applied:
A point is recorded only if the user moves at least 2 meters
Best used when
Driving
Maintaining consistent time-based sampling
Adjusting Numeric Values
Accuracy and distance values can be adjusted by:
Manual entry (decimals allowed)
Using the + / – buttons
Unit format (metric or imperial) is determined by your device settings. To switch between meters and feet, update the measurement units on your mobile device. Tracking values update automatically.
Tracking in the Background
With Background Tracking, your GPS track continues recording even after you leave the Location Editor — so you can fill out other fields, open other records, or navigate around the app without interrupting your track.
Background Tracking is currently in Beta. Contact the product team to request access.
How It Works
When you tap Done while tracking is active, a dialog asks whether you want to keep tracking running in the background. If you confirm:
The track continues recording in the background
The record is automatically saved as Draft
You can freely navigate to other records or parts of the app
When you return to the Location Editor for that record, all points collected in the background are immediately visible and the track reflects your full recorded path.
One Active Track at a Time
Only one track can be active at a time. If you tap REC on a different record while another track is already running, you'll be prompted to stop the existing track before starting a new one. The existing track is saved before the new one begins.
Tracking Indicators in Lists
While a track is running in the background, a tracking-in-progress indicator appears on the record in the App List, Record List, and Repeatables List. This is visually distinct from the standard Draft icon so you can always tell at a glance which record has an active track.
Notifications
Fulcrum keeps you informed of active tracking through system notifications:
Android A persistent notification is displayed while tracking is active. It shows the elapsed tracking time and includes two quick actions:
Open — returns you to the app
Stop — ends tracking and saves the record as Draft, without opening the app
iOS A Live Activity appears on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island showing real-time tracking information including elapsed time. Tapping it takes you directly to the record being tracked.
Records Stay as Draft While Tracking
Any record with an active track is saved as Draft until tracking is stopped and the record is fully saved. This applies to both standard records and repeatable (child) records. If you try to save while tracking is still active, a dialog will let you know the record will remain as Draft until tracking is complete.
Stopping or Deleting a Track
Stop
Ends Tracking immediately
Saves the recorded track
Returns to the map
Delete
Permanently removes all points recorded in the current session
Requires confirmation
Deleting a track permanently removes all recorded points from the current Tracking session.
Done
Shows a dialog asking to continue tracking in the background
What Happens If Tracking Is Interrupted?
If tracking stops unexpectedly — such as due to an app crash, the device running out of battery, or location permissions being removed — Fulcrum saves your partial track automatically.
The next time you open the app, a dialog will appear letting you know that a tracking session was interrupted.
If tracking is stopped because a system limit is reached (for example, a very long session), you'll receive a notification and an in-app dialog explaining what happened. All progress up to that point is saved, and the record remains as Draft.
Tips for Best Results
Keep location services enabled throughout your session
For long sessions, ensure your device is adequately charged or connected to power
If GPS accuracy drops (red bar), stay in an open area and wait for the signal to improve before moving on
Use the notification or Live Activity (iOS) to quickly check that tracking is still running when working in other parts of the app