Install and activate Field Manager on your Android tablet

Supported Devices

Field Manager has been developed for the Android operating system and can be installed on any device running Android 7.0 or higher. However, to take full advantage of its features, the device is recommended to have:

1. Accurate GPS: In addition to the internal GPS, Field Manager supports external GPS devices via the NMEA protocol over Bluetooth.
2. Camera: Allows capturing images and associating them with the surveyed samples.
3. Compass and accelerometer or gyroscope: Required to survey geological structures.

It is highly desirable for the device to have a high-resolution screen, bright enough to work in full sunlight and compatible with a fine stylus that allows precise drawing. In general, LED and OLED screens outperform TFT and IPS in visibility, although the latter are constantly improving.

There are several types of pens or styluses:

• Radio frequency (recommended): They have a fine tip, distinguish between pen and finger, require no charging, and usually come included with the device (for example, Samsung's S Pen).
• Active capacitive: They require no specific compatibility, can be purchased separately, and have a fine tip but require charging. They do not distinguish between pen and finger.
• Passive capacitive (less recommended): They have a thick tip, which makes detailed drawing difficult, although they work well for other tasks and need no power.

Other desirable features include resistance to water, dust, and shocks, as well as a battery with enough autonomy for fieldwork. Most current Android devices meet the latter requirement.

Installation

To install Field Manager, you will receive a web link or QR code, which should be opened on the target device. Once the .apk file is downloaded, execute it. Depending on the manufacturer, installation will be managed by a system app.

When you open the APK, Android will request authorization for the installer app to install the application. The message and steps may vary depending on the Android version and the device manufacturer.

If a previous version is already installed, the new one should replace it automatically. Nevertheless, it is recommended to back up the projects folder, located inside the system's documents folder (commonly/Documents/Fieldman projects).

If an error occurs during installation, uninstall the previous version before continuing.

If problems installing or opening the application persist, try restarting the device.

Automatic update: Field Manager periodically checks whether a new version is available. When an update is available, the app downloads it, verifies its integrity, and offers to install it through a dialog, without needing to manually download it from the web.

Environment Permissions

When opening Field Manager for the first time, several permissions required for its operation will be requested:

• Precise location: Enables communication with the GPS. Starting with Android 11, for security reasons, background access cannot be granted from a pop-up dialog. It must be enabled manually from the Android settings, accessing the app permissions > Location > Select "Allow all the time".
• Camera and microphone access: Used by the photo capture module.
• Bluetooth: Required to connect with external GPS and other compatible devices.
• Full file access: Starting with Android 11, full access to the file system must be granted. This permission must be activated manually in the special permissions section, whose location may vary depending on the Android version.

Activation

When you open the app for the first time, after granting the permissions, the Activate screen appears. Activation is done by scanning an activation QR with the Scan activation QR button; if you don't have one yet, the “Don’t have an account? Create one” link lets you create an account and get it. The device needs an internet connection to complete the process.

Before activating, you must check the terms and conditions box (TERMS AND CONDITIONS) and then tap ACTIVATE.

The screen also displays a Support code that identifies the device. If activation fails, the error message appears in red at the top of the screen; share that message together with the Support code with the technical support staff to receive assistance.

Licenses are valid for a single device at a time, and the app periodically verifies their status, so the device needs an occasional internet connection. To transfer a license to another device, you must do so through our web portalfieldmanagermining.com/dashboard.

The activation QR and link are obtained from the Field Manager web portal, in the Subscriptions section of your account dashboard. When you open a subscription, the Activation code dialog is shown: you can scan it with the Scan activation QR button from the app on the device, copy the link, or use Send by email to send it to whoever will activate it (the recipient does not need an account). The code is single-use and valid for the subscription period. If you don't have an account or a license yet, create one from the “Don’t have an account? Create one” link, or ask your company administrator for the QR/link.