Enable GPS / Location permissions

Why FlowRota needs GPS

FlowRota uses GPS/location to validate on-site clock-ins and improve location accuracy for attendance. You control how much access the app has via your device settings.

Android — enable location for FlowRota

Quick steps : Settings → Apps → FlowRota → Permissions → Location → select the appropriate access.

Open Settings on the Android device.
Tap Apps or Apps & notifications
Find and select FlowRota from the app list.
Tap Permissions
Tap Location and choose:
- Allow only while using the app — gives GPS when the app is in use.
- Allow all the time or Allow in background — required if FlowRota must record location while running in the background (e.g., for terminal or auto clocking).
If you rely on background location, disable battery optimisation for FlowRota so Android does not suspend GPS updates: Settings → Battery → Battery optimisation → find FlowRota → select Don't optimize
(Optional) Improve accuracy: Settings → Location → Advanced → enable Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning or set Location mode to High accuracy where available.

First-run prompt: FlowRota may ask for location when you first open the app — selecting the correct option there has the same effect as changing it in Settings.

iPhone (iOS) — enable location for FlowRota

Quick steps : Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → FlowRota → select permission level.

Open the device Settings
Tap Privacy & Security →{' '} Location Services
If Location Services is off, toggle it on.
Scroll to the app list and tap FlowRota
Choose a permission:
- While Using the App — location only when the app is visible.
- Always — allows background location (needed if FlowRota should record GPS while the user is not actively using the app).
(Recommended) Toggle Precise Location on to allow exact GPS coordinates for accurate on-site verification.
If FlowRota needs background operation, also enable Background App Refresh: Settings → General → Background App Refresh → enable for FlowRota.

iOS will sometimes show prompts such as “Allow Once” or “Allow While Using App” — choose the option that matches whether you expect the app to capture background location.

In-app settings

After granting OS-level permissions, open FlowRota and check the app settings to ensure GPS is enabled for clocking:

Open the FlowRota app.
Go to Account or Settings
Look for toggles labelled Enable GPS or Record GPS on clock and ensure they are turned on.
If available, configure GPS frequency/accuracy based on your operational needs — higher frequency gives better accuracy but uses more battery.

Troubleshooting & tips

Permission appears granted but location not working — re-open device Settings → FlowRota → confirm Location is set correctly. Restart the app afterward.
Background location not captured — on Android disable battery optimization for FlowRota; on iOS select Always and enable Background App Refresh.
GPS accuracy poor — enable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth scanning (Android), ensure Precise Location is on (iOS), and move outside for a clearer satellite signal.
Location stopped after an update — reboot the device, clear app cache (Android) or reinstall the app if needed.
Enterprise or manufacturer-level blocks — some devices or MDM policies may restrict background location. Check device-specific settings or speak to your IT administrator.
App version — make sure the FlowRota app is up to date from the Play Store or App Store.

Privacy note

FlowRota only uses GPS/location to verify clock-ins and support location-based features. The precision and background behaviour are controlled entirely by the permission level you select on your device. If you prefer less precise tracking, disable Precise Location (iOS) or choose the lower-permission option on Android.

Still stuck?

If you’ve tried the steps above and GPS still fails, contact FlowRota support with:

Your device model and OS version (e.g., Pixel 6 / Android 13 or iPhone 13 / iOS 17)
FlowRota app version (from the app’s About or Settings)
A brief description of the problem and a screenshot if possible.

We’ll help diagnose whether it’s a device configuration, OS permission, or app-specific issue.