Understanding GPS Tracking Technology in VeriClock: Best Practices

Understand how GPS tracking works within VeriClock. This article explains the technology behind GPS tracking and how various factors like location, device settings, and environment can impact GPS accuracy.

VeriClock's location tracking features rely on global positioning system (GPS) technology including a series of navigation satellites and radio receivers that are in almost all modern smart phones. The satellites in orbit sends microwave signals to the receiver and the receiver and the phone uses these signals to triangulate your precise location from at least four of the GPS satellites.  The location is then transmitted back to VeriClock via the internet.

Factors that impact the accuracy of GPS location

There are many factors that impact GPS positioning accuracy including but not limited to:

• Satellite signal blockage due to buildings, bridges, trees, etc. Cell phones typically need to receive signals from at least 7 or 8 satellites to optimize accuracy.  A location may still be generated with fewer satellites contributing but the amount of uncertainty and inaccuracy increases
• Indoor or underground use
• Signals reflecting off buildings or walls
• Atmospheric conditions
• Improperly designed or damaged devices that do not comply with GPS Interface Specifications

Tips to improve the accuracy of GPS location

• Make sure that the mobile device has a direct and unobstructed view of the sky
• Make sure that the GPS receiver of your device and / or location-based services are enabled
• Make sure Presice Location is enabled in your phone
• Make sure you DO NOT have airplane mode activated
• Make sure you've enabled mobile data. Your mobile device may access a mobile network to initially acquire a GPS location
• Make sure that the device battery has enough power. In some devices, the GPS receiver may be deactivated when the battery has a low charge.
• Make sure WIFI is enabled.  Most phones rely of information from nearby WIFI signals to accurately determine its location
• Make sure that you have NOT enabled 'Low Power Mode'. Low power mode adjusts a phone's settings to improve battery usage but will negatively impact the accuracy of location data

 We have compiled a list of useful links that can help explain how GPS location works

• Official U.S. government information about the Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Find and improve your location’s accuracy (Google) - For iOS and Android
• Location Services in iOS (Apple)

If you are still experiencing issues with with VeriClock's location services, please follow this link for instructions on how to send troubleshooting logs to the VeriClock support team.