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Understanding GPS Accuracy FAQ

This article covers the meaning of high, medium, and low accuracy, what force closing is, and how it affects the ClockShark mobile app.

In the ClockShark mobile app, your smartphone’s GPS receiver is responsible for determining the location accuracy. This means that the accuracy of each GPS ping comes directly from your phone’s GPS hardware—not from the ClockShark app itself. Understanding this helps explain how the app shows your location and its accuracy.

How GPS tracking accuracy is shown in the mobile app

When reviewing the GPS Tracking in the mobile app, you will see how accurate each GPS ping is. The accuracy is based on the distance range from the actual location.

High accuracy

Within 35 meters

Medium accuracy

36 – 85 meters

Low accuracy

Greater than 85 meters 

For example, the picture below shows a “high accuracy” GPS ping. This means the location information that the mobile app received from your phone’s GPS receiver is very precise. It indicates:

  • You were located within a 15-meter radius (the circle around the pin).
  • The GPS pin icon is always at the center of this circle; however you could be anywhere inside the circle, not necessarily exactly at the pin.

How GPS information is collected

Here is the workflow for how GPS data is gathered:

  1. The mobile app requests a location from your phone.
  2. Your phone’s GPS receiver sends the location back to the mobile app.
  3. The mobile app checks the accuracy of the information it receives (within a certain number of meters).
  4. The location is displayed for you to view in the app or web portal.

What can cause low GPS accuracy

Several factors can lead to low-accuracy GPS pings. Below are the most common:

Outdated or low-end Devices

Older, refurbished, or budget smartphones typically have weaker GPS receivers. These can send less accurate or unreliable location data.

Challenging locations

Certain environments can interfere with GPS signals, including:

  • Being near large bodies of water
  • Working inside metal or brick buildings
  • Being underground or in covered areas

These conditions limit the GPS receiver’s ability to get a precise signal.

Outdated software

Running an old operating system or an outdated version of the ClockShark mobile app can affect how well GPS functions.

To fix this:

  • Update your iOS or Android operating system
  • Ensure you’re using the latest version of the ClockShark mobile app

Why GPS tracking sometimes has gaps (iPhone-specific)

Some users may notice gaps in GPS Tracking, and this is most common on iPhones.

This happens when the ClockShark app is force closed. A force close occurs when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen and then swipe up again on the app to remove it.

Note: When the app is force closed, it can no longer request GPS information from the phone’s GPS receiver.

To prevent this, you can simply minimize it instead of force closing the app. When minimized, the mobile app can continue requesting GPS data and tracking as expected.