The App has stopped recording and the trail is drawn in a straight line

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Are you having issues with the recording?

Did the App stop working while you were recording a trail, or are you facing one of the following issues?

  • You've recorded a trail, and it appears as a straight line.
  • The app has stopped recording while you were on a route.
  • You can't save the trail and receive a message saying "Trail too short".
  • The app does not record.

Your device likely has an energy-saving system activated that prevents the Wikiloc app from functioning properly in the background (for example, when the phone is locked).

  • A weak GPS signal: This may be caused by carrying the device at the bottom of the backpack, in a pocket, or even due to the presence of clouds or rain, as well as being in forests, canyons, gorges, etc.
  • An inaccurate GPS chip: Mobile phone manufacturers choose chips for each device, and due to the great diversity that is available, the variation can change a lot depending on the smartphone model.
  • An energy-saving system as part of some smartphones’ standard default settings, depending on the mobile manufacturer.

It is also important to let our devices have the time needed to receive the signals emitted from the satellites. To do so, make sure your phone's GPS is enabled and keep it in one place, which will help clarify its position more accurately. Sometimes, it can take up to a few minutes.

If you have problems getting located accurately on the map, try the following steps:

  1. Turn your phone off  and turn it on again.
  2. Turn the GPS off on your phone and turn it on again.
  3. Make sure Wikiloc can use the exact location of your phone:
    1. Settings > Applications > Wikiloc > Permissions > Location > Allow only when the app is in use
    2. Settings > Applications > Wikiloc > Permissions > Location > Use exact location

After following these steps, the Wikiloc app should locate you accurately on the map while the screen is on. Once we have checked that it is working properly, in order to solve the problem with straight lines, we should disable the battery-saving mode for the Wikiloc app, which is often a default setting on most devices, in order to avoid slowing down the app when it is in the background (either while the screen is off or while another app is open). To do so, try following these steps:

  1. Make sure that the battery saving mode is disabled:  Settings > Battery > Battery saving > Disable
  2. Make sure that you have disabled battery optimization mode for the Wikiloc app: Setting > Applications > Wikiloc > Battery > Battery optimization > No restrictions.

These steps may vary slightly from one device to another. Moreover, some mobile phone manufacturers activate power saving modes by default and have extra settings for battery saving. 

Please review the following articles for specific instructions according to the manufacturer:

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