> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://codifi-fdm.gitbook.io/codifi-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://codifi-fdm.gitbook.io/codifi-docs/mobile-app/mapping-locations/livetrack-and-streaming.md).

# LiveTrack & Streaming

Available on iPhone and iPad. These features automate GPS capture for line and polygon locations, so you can record a path or boundary without tapping the map at every point.

***

## LiveTrack Smart Capture

LiveTrack lets the app automatically capture points as you walk or drive. It's ideal for tracing fence lines, walking property boundaries, following roads, or outlining large areas.

### When to Use LiveTrack

LiveTrack is available when you're drawing **lines** or **polygons** with **GPS** as your capture source. It does not appear for single-point Records (since those only need one location).

**Great for:**

* Walking a boundary or perimeter
* Driving along a road or pipeline route
* Tracing any path where you want the shape to follow your movement
* Large areas where manually tapping for each point would slow you down

### Starting LiveTrack

> **Screenshot placeholder:** *Screenshot of the Draw Mode bottom bar showing the "Start LiveTrack" button and the gear icon for settings, with GPS mode selected.*

1. Open a line or polygon Record and enter **Draw Mode**
2. Make sure **GPS** is selected (not Manual or Sketch)
3. Tap **"Start LiveTrack"** at the bottom of the screen
4. You'll feel a quick vibration — LiveTrack is now running
5. The map automatically centers on your location and follows you as you move

That's it — start walking or driving, and the app captures points along your path automatically.

### What You'll See While LiveTrack is Running

> **Screenshot placeholder:** *Screen recording (GIF) showing LiveTrack in action — walking a boundary with points auto-appearing on the map, the flash animation on each capture, and the button displaying the current mode.*

* **A brief flash on the screen** each time a point is captured
* **A light vibration** with each capture
* **Points appearing on the map** in real time, building your line or polygon as you move
* The button shows the current mode: **"LiveTrack (Less)"**, **"LiveTrack (Balanced)"**, or **"LiveTrack (More)"**

If you stop moving, the button changes to **"Paused — Stationary"**. The app pauses capture when you're standing still to prevent GPS drift from adding messy, unnecessary points. It resumes automatically when you start moving again.

### How Smart Mode Works

LiveTrack uses **Smart Mode** by default. Instead of capturing at a fixed time interval, it adapts to how you're moving:

**On straight sections** — The app captures fewer points because a straight line doesn't need many. This keeps your data clean and file sizes manageable.

**On turns and curves** — The app captures more frequently so the shape accurately follows the curve. When it detects you're turning (using your device's compass), it briefly switches to rapid capture to get the detail right.

**When you're standing still** — The app pauses completely. GPS signals naturally wander a few meters even when you're not moving, and capturing those "phantom" movements would add noise to your shape.

### Choosing a Sensitivity Level

> **Screenshot placeholder:** *Screenshot of the LiveTrack settings panel showing the Smart/Time/Distance mode selector, the sensitivity slider (Less / Balanced / More), and the accuracy gate option.*

Tap the **gear icon** next to the LiveTrack button to open settings, then adjust the sensitivity slider:

| Setting      | What It Does                                                                                             | Best For                                                                      |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Less**     | Captures fewer points, only reacts to sharp turns (25°+). Ignores small movements under 3 meters.        | Long, mostly straight features like roads, pipelines, or straight fence lines |
| **Balanced** | Good detail without excessive points. Reacts to moderate turns (18°+). Ignores movements under 2 meters. | General-purpose field work — boundaries, trails, moderate curves              |
| **More**     | Captures the most detail, reacts to even subtle curves (10°+). Picks up movements as small as 1 meter.   | Irregular shapes, winding paths, shorelines, or anywhere fine detail matters  |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Not sure which to pick?** Start with **Balanced** — it works well for most situations. You can always switch during capture and the change takes effect immediately.
{% endhint %}

### Stopping LiveTrack

You can stop LiveTrack in any of these ways:

* **Tap the LiveTrack button again** — it turns off and returns to manual capture
* **Tap Commit** — confirms your shape and stops LiveTrack
* **Tap the red X (Cancel)** — discards your work and stops LiveTrack

If you switch to **Manual** or **Sketch** mode while LiveTrack is running, the app asks whether you want to stop LiveTrack or stay in GPS mode.

***

## Streaming Location Recording

Streaming captures points at configurable intervals rather than using Smart Mode's adaptive sampling. Use this when you want predictable, evenly-spaced points.

### Interval Options

In the LiveTrack settings panel (gear icon), switch from **Smart** to one of these modes:

**Time-Based** — Captures a point at a fixed interval (every 1–30 seconds), regardless of movement or direction. Predictable, but may over-capture on straight sections or under-capture on curves.

**Distance-Based** — Captures a point every time you move a set distance (3–50 meters). Good for consistent spacing, but doesn't adapt to turns.

### Accuracy Gate

You can set an **accuracy gate** — a threshold that tells the app to skip capturing a point if GPS accuracy is worse than a certain number of meters.

For example, if you set the gate to 5 meters, the app won't capture a point when accuracy reads ±8m. It waits until accuracy improves.

This is useful when working near buildings, heavy tree cover, or other areas where GPS signal can be unreliable.

***

## After Capture: Editing and Refining

Points captured by LiveTrack or Streaming are fully editable — they're no different from points you add manually. After stopping capture, you can:

* **Move points** — Press and hold any point, then drag it to a better spot
* **Delete points** — Tap a point and choose Delete to remove unnecessary ones
* **Insert points** — Tap between two points to add more detail where needed
* **Undo/Redo** — Step backward through recent changes

This means you can use LiveTrack for a "rough draft" of your shape, then fine-tune it afterward. See [Draw Mode & Editing](/codifi-docs/mobile-app/mapping-locations/draw-mode-and-editing.md) for the full guide on editing points.

You can also tap **"Add My Location"** at any time while LiveTrack or Streaming is running to manually capture an additional point — for example, to mark a specific corner or landmark. Manual points and auto-captured points work together seamlessly.

***

## Things to Keep in Mind

* **Keep the app open and the screen on.** LiveTrack and Streaming pause if the app goes to the background. If your screen locks, capture stops until you unlock and return to the app.
* **Compass accuracy matters.** Smart Mode uses your device's compass to detect turns. If you're near large metal structures (vehicles, heavy equipment, metal buildings), the compass may be less accurate. This won't affect GPS coordinates, but corner detection may be less responsive.
* **Your first point always captures immediately** when you start, even before any motion thresholds kick in.
* **Battery life.** Continuous GPS use drains the battery faster than normal. If you'll be in the field all day, bring a portable charger.
* **You can change settings while running.** Adjustments to sensitivity, mode, or accuracy gate take effect right away — no need to stop and restart.
* **Both LiveTrack and Streaming work offline.** Recorded locations sync when connectivity is restored.
* **External GPS devices are supported.** Codifi uses your favorite GPS source (Bluetooth, MFi, or built-in) and adjusts polling rates based on your activity.