Mobile applications¶
Several mobile applications support OpenBioMaps features. They include tools for retrieving and collecting data in online and offline environments, and range from Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) to native mobile applications.
Offline application for Android and iOS devices¶
Overview¶
The offline mobile application is designed for field data collection. It provides a flexible interface for project-specific data collection tasks and can be used without a continuous internet connection after the required projects and forms have been downloaded.
OpenBioMaps does not provide a single predefined data collection form or method. Each project defines its own forms and data fields. Consequently, the following depend on the project’s configuration and the current user’s permissions:
which projects are available;
which forms are available within those projects;
which fields appear on each form; and
how those fields behave.
Only authenticated users can collect data with the application. The application does not provide a general registration function, although some projects may support a simple or automatic registration process outside the application.
Development¶
The application is developed by Ecollab Ltd. using React Native and Expo.
Getting started¶
An internet connection is required to select a server and project, log in, and download forms. After the required forms have been downloaded, they can also be used offline.
Selecting a server¶
Select the OpenBioMaps server hosting the project you want to use. An internet connection is required to connect to the server and retrieve the available project information.
Selecting a project¶
Select a project from the projects available on the chosen server. The projects displayed depend on the server configuration and your access permissions.
An internet connection is required when loading a project for the first time or refreshing its configuration.
Logging in¶
Log in using your email address and password. An internet connection is required for authentication.
After a successful login, the projects and forms available to your account can be accessed. Publicly available projects and forms may also be displayed.
Selecting a form¶
Select and open a form while online to download the information required for offline use. Once the form has been loaded successfully, it remains available offline until its local data is removed or the form needs to be updated.
Pinning a form to the home screen¶
Frequently used forms can be pinned to the home screen for quicker access. Tap the thumbtack icon next to a form’s name to pin or unpin it.
Application structure¶
Main screen¶
The main screen provides access to:
the map;
forms;
collected data;
settings;
track logs; and
tools.
Pinned forms are displayed on the main screen for quick access. If an observation event is currently running, its status is shown on the relevant pinned form button.
Map screen¶
The map screen is used to view recorded observations and permanent sampling locations.
The information displayed on the map depends on the selected project, the downloaded data, and the project’s configuration.
Forms screen¶
The forms screen can contain forms for:
occasional observations; and
observation events.
An exclamation mark next to a form indicates that an update is available. Press and hold the form name to force an update from the server. Updating a form requires an internet connection.
Forms downloaded for offline use are marked so that they can be distinguished from forms that are not yet available offline.
Running observation events are indicated next to the corresponding form name.
Collected data screen¶
The collected data screen lists observations recorded on the device. Depending
on the server-side configuration, important values such as a species name or
the number of individuals may be highlighted in the list. This behaviour can
be configured with the bold_yellow module.
From this screen, users can:
review collected records;
synchronise records with the server;
edit records that have not yet been synchronised; and
delete synchronised records from the device.
Synchronisation requires an internet connection. Before deleting local records, verify that synchronisation has completed successfully.
Track logs screen¶
Track logs can be recorded independently of an active form. During synchronisation, recorded track logs are uploaded to the project’s track-log table.
From this screen, users can:
view recorded track logs;
start track-log recording;
stop track-log recording; and
synchronise track logs with the server.
Tools screen¶
The tools screen provides utilities that may be useful during fieldwork, including:
a random number generator; and
a custom list generator, which can be used, for example, to create a list of ring numbers.
Settings¶
Language¶
The application currently supports English, Romanian, Hungarian, French, German, Kyrgyz, and Russian.
You can contribute translations through the OpenBioMaps application translation project.
Theme¶
The application provides three theme options:
system default;
dark; and
light.
Backup and export¶
A backup can be created to preserve application data or provide information for debugging.
The export function makes data stored by the application available for use with other software. Depending on the available data, the export can contain standard formats such as CSV and GPX, together with attached JPEG images.
Backups and exports may contain sensitive project, location, or user data. Store and transfer these files securely.
Form settings¶
The application provides several options for managing pinned field values:
- Reinitialise whenever a form is opened
Pinned values are reset whenever the form is opened. This is the default and safest option. It may be inconvenient when two forms are used in parallel because switching between them can reset pinned values.
- Always use server settings
The application follows the server configuration instead of preserving user-defined pinned values. This option is useful for users who do not need pinned values or tend to pin values accidentally.
- Keep user settings until synchronisation
User-defined pinned values remain available until data is synchronised. This is often practical when collecting the same type of data throughout a fieldwork session and synchronising it at the end of the day. After synchronisation, the pinned values are cleared.
- Always keep user settings
User-defined pinned values remain in place until they are changed manually. This option should be used with care because an outdated pinned value can accidentally be included in later records.
The application can also play a sound notification after a successful or failed recording attempt.
Collected data settings¶
The collected data settings control whether the application:
displays attached files;
automatically synchronises collected data; and
always displays action buttons below record details on the collected data screen.
Automatic synchronisation requires network access. Check the synchronisation status before deleting records or application data from the device.
GPS and track-log settings¶
GPS use can be filtered by time and distance. These settings affect both single-point recording and track-log point recording.
The distance filter reduces unnecessary position updates when the device has moved less than the configured distance. A value between 1 and 5 metres is recommended for typical use, but the most appropriate setting depends on the device, required accuracy, and field conditions.
The time interval determines how frequently track-log points are recorded. The default interval is 5 seconds. Shorter intervals can produce a more detailed track, but they can also increase battery usage and the amount of stored data. Test the selected interval on the devices used by the project before fieldwork.
Storage¶
The storage settings can be used to:
delete unused files;
remove unused sessions;
clear selections; and
clear autocomplete lists.
Review the available options carefully before deleting data. Unsynchronised observations and track logs should be uploaded or backed up before local application data is removed.
Permissions¶
The permissions screen shows whether the application has access to required operating-system services, including location services. It also provides access to the relevant operating-system settings.
Location permission is required for GPS-based data collection and track-log recording. Available permission options and background-location behaviour may differ between Android and iOS.
Server-side mobile application settings¶
Forms¶
Mobile data collection forms are configured through the OpenBioMaps upload form management interface.
See Upload form management for more information.
Online applications for mobile devices¶
OpenBioMaps also provides browser-based applications suitable for mobile devices: