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Usage Tips for the Mobile Apps

Updated over 2 months ago

Your mobile device is essential for using the Commusoft app effectively in the field. The following best practices are applicable to both Android and iOS platforms and ensure optimal app performance and reliability.


Device Specifications

Hardware specifications must meet the minimum requirements in order to function. Exceeding these ensures optimal app performance alongside other essential apps in the field.

Check out our Commusoft minimum specifications article for more info!


Internet Connection

A strong WiFi/data connection is recommended for reliable mobile app performance. Ensure a good connection each day when first opening the app to sync all necessary data before travelling to your first appointment.

Feature functionality

The app can function offline, but some features may be limited.

Click here for more details.

For these features, a strong mobile data or WiFi connection is recommended:

  • Search

  • Home screen widgets - Parts pick up / Timesheets / Upcoming appointments

  • Property history

  • Notes and communications

  • Assets - dynamic fields

  • Parts

  • Parts Arena Integration

  • My Van

  • Stockroom app (standalone app)

  • Purchase orders

  • Deferred payments

  • SumUp

  • Tap to Pay

  • Fleet Management - Arrive/leave status updates


Accept Appointments When Notified (night before or morning of event)

Web users rely on app acknowledgments to confirm appointments have been viewed.

Multiple events can be accepted simultaneously. Accepted appointments can also be edited if needed.

Check out our articles on appointment statuses and appointment icons for more information on how these interact with the web app.


Pull to Refresh

The 'pull to refresh' feature allows you to manually sync data and update views within the app. This is done by swiping down from the top of the screen until you see a blue bar that says 'Release to refresh.' Releasing your finger will complete the sync and update your data.

Pull-to-refresh ensures you have the latest information available and is useful when:

  • Checking for new appointments or changes to your diary

  • Refreshing lists of forms, contacts, assets, and files

  • Making sure data updated by others is now available on your device

For the best experience, make sure you have a good internet connection when using pull-to-refresh.

This combination of syncing from the database and refreshing locally stored data ensures your app displays the most current information.

Click here to see how to pull to refresh


Close Mobile Apps Not Actively In Use

Keeping unnecessary apps open reduces battery life and can cause data syncing issues.

Additionally, opening the Commusoft app from a closed state (not running in the background) initiates a full data sync. This helps to pull new data from the server and push any locally stored data across the system to ensure everything is up-to-date across platforms.

  • Android: Tap the recent apps button (varies by device) and swipe closed.

  • iOS: Double-tap the home button (or swipe up from the bottom) and swipe apps closed.

Opening the app this way each morning before use will ensure a sync is performed before starting your day.


Keep the Mobile App Updated

Regularly update the app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) to ensure you have the latest version. Keeping the app updated is crucial because updates often include important performance improvements, bug fixes, and feature releases that keep your app functioning smoothly.

The app will display a banner on the home screen when an update is available, ensuring you are aware if auto-update isn't enabled or hasn't yet been performed by the device.

Auto-updates are controlled by the device's app store.

  • Android devices: Google Play Store > Profile Icon > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps

  • iOS devices: Settings > App Store > Toggle 'App updates'


Keep Mobile App Notifications On

Enable notifications to stay updated on new appointments and changes.

  • Android: Settings > Apps > Commusoft > Notifications > Toggle 'Allow notifications'

  • iOS: Settings > Commusoft > Notifications > Toggle 'Allow notifications'


Restart Your Device Regularly

Occasionally restarting your device frees up resources, improves performance, and helps clear temporary files or processes that may be causing issues. This applies equally to Android and iOS devices and can be especially useful if the app is experiencing slow performance or if data syncing is not working as expected.


Uninstalling the Mobile App

Only uninstall when directed by a member of the Client Services team. If you uninstall the app while your device is offline, any data that has been created or updated locally on your device, but not yet synced with Commusoft's servers, will be permanently lost.

This could include job updates, photos, notes, or any other changes you've made since your last successful sync. Ensure your device is online and fully synced.

Client Services Agents will always confirm that your device is fully synced before advising you to uninstall the app.

Always check with your office administrators if unsure of the sync status.


Daily Mobile App Usage

Regular use of the mobile app is essential to keep your data synced with the central database. Keeping your usage consistent ensures that all changes made on your device are continuously synced and updated.

The app is not designed for extended periods of inactivity. If the app is unused for more than 5 days (such as over a holiday), we recommend opening it before your break ends. Upon returning to work, it’s also best to open the app while you have a good internet connection. This allows the app to download the latest data and complete the sync process before use.

The Commusoft mobile app is also intentionally designed without a log out option. Engineers are expected to access the app daily as part of their workflow, and staying signed in ensures you can immediately view schedules, job details, and updates without disruption. This setup also enables important background syncing and offline access, which help the app continue working smoothly—even in areas with limited signal.

⚠️ If you're troubleshooting an issue and believe logging out would help, please reach out to our team for support.


Enable Mobile App Permissions

Grant necessary permissions (location, notifications, photos, microphone, storage, contacts) to ensure full app functionality.

  • Android devices: Settings > Apps > Commusoft > Permissions > Grant necessary permissions

  • iOS devices: Prompted on first use, or adjust permissions in Settings > Commusoft

Location Permissions

Location access is essential for several features to work correctly.

  • Required for Timesheets: The app must confirm your location when clocking in and out via the Timesheets widget.

  • Highly recommended for photo timestamping: If enabled, location data is recorded on each photo to prove where it was taken.

  • Used for job status updates: Helps confirm that engineers are physically present at the property when marking appointments as arrived or completed.

✅ Enabling location access helps ensure transparency and accuracy in your job records, while also supporting audit trails for photos and engineer activity.


Troubleshooting

If experiencing data syncing issues:

  1. Pull to refresh on the relevant screen for the data required.

  2. Wait 5 mins, allowing the process to complete and ensure actions are not queued.

    1. If the issue persists, move on to the next step.

  3. Close Commusoft and all other unnecessary apps, reopen the Commusoft app, and wait 5 mins.

Q. Why did my events not come through instantly?

There could be several reasons for a delay in events showing on your mobile app diary:

  • Device performance: If many apps are open, your device may not have enough processing power for the Commusoft app. Closing unnecessary apps can free up memory and improve app performance.

  • Device requirements: The Commusoft app performs best on devices that exceed the minimum requirements.

  • Connectivity issues: Low signal or a poor connection can delay syncing. Test your connection by loading a website or video. Newly created data waits for a stable connection to sync.

  • Data sync queues: A large amount of data waiting to sync between the server and device can delay events, especially if multiple devices are used. Allow time for syncing when using secondary devices.

Q. I see the error “Location access is restricted or denied" when trying to clock in or out. What does this mean?

This message appears if your device’s location services are disabled, or if the Commusoft app has been denied location permissions.

  • Location services disabled: A prompt will appear guiding you to enable GPS services if needed.

  • Location permission for app denied: User will need to adjust the permission to allow location services to use the timecard widget.

Contacting Client Services

If further assistance is required, please include as much of the relevant information as detailed below. This will allow our agents to investigate your query quickly and efficiently:

  • Username affected

  • Job estimate/invoice numbers or event description (if applicable)

  • Certificate details (if applicable)

  • Detailed issue description

  • Screenshots or recordings

If you experience an issue and need to speak to us, check out the in-system support for further assistance.

Taking screenshots and recordings on Android phones and tablets

Taking screenshots:

  • Press and hold Power + Volume Down together to capture the screen.

  • On some devices, swipe down to Quick Settings and tap the Screenshot button if available.

Recording your screen:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings menu.

  2. Look for the Screen Record button (If it's not visible, edit your Quick Settings to add it).

  3. Tap the Screen Record button and follow the prompts to start recording.

Taking screenshots and recordings on Apple (iOS) phones and tablets

Taking screenshots on iPhone:

  • With Face ID: Press Side Button + Volume Up.

  • With Home Button: Press Home + Side (or Top) buttons.

Taking screenshots on iPad:

  • With Face ID: Press Top Button + Volume Up.

  • With Home Button: Press Home + Top Button.

Recording your screen:

  1. Add the Screen Recording button to your Control Centre via Settings.

  2. Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Centre.

  3. Tap the Screen Recording button to start recording your screen.

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