---
title: Why isn't geofencing or GPS recording site attendance?
description: Fix GPS sign-in that isn't recording site attendance by checking location permission, site setup and device conditions like battery optimisation.
---

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# Why isn't geofencing or GPS recording site attendance?

## Restore automatic GPS sign-in by checking permission, site access and device conditions.

GPS sign-in usually stops working because of a location permission that isn't set to **Always**, a site that isn't properly linked, geofenced or active, or a device condition such as battery optimisation blocking background location. Work through the checks below in order.

### At a glance

| For | Company administrators & site managers |
| --- | --- |
| Platform | Mobile App |
| Applies to | All regions |
| Time to Read | About 5 minutes |
| You'll understand | • Check the worker's location permissions • Confirm the site is linked, geofenced and active. • Rule out device-specific causes. |

### **Checks to complete**

#### **The location permission isn't set to Always**

Anything less than **Always** may stop GPS sign-in working reliably, especially once the app is closed. See how ***geofencing settings control automatic sign-in and sign-out.***

#### **The site isn't linked, geofenced or active**

The **Mobile App** only downloads a geofence for a site the worker is linked to, that has a geofence drawn, and that isn't in a Pre-Construction, Archived or On Hold status.

#### **The device hasn't fetched the site's geofence yet**

The **Mobile App** only loads geofences within about 1 kilometre of the worker's last known position, and only after they've opened the app and signed in once while online. If they've just arrived in a new area, or recently switched region, have them open the app while connected, then tap the pin icon on the site's **Details Tab, click on the three dots in the right hand corner** and select **Refresh Geofence** to force a fresh download.

**Note** - if a worker's phone has no signal when they cross the boundary, the sign-in or sign-out event is stored on the device and sent once connectivity returns, for up to three days. This isn't a sign that GPS has stopped working. 

#### **Battery optimisation is blocking background location on Android**

Aggressive battery optimisation on Android can stop the operating system reporting geofence events. Exclude the **Mobile App** from battery optimisation on the affected device.

#### **GPS signal is weak or drifting near the boundary**

Tap the pin icon on the site's **Details tab** to see the geofence the **Mobile App** has downloaded for that site. Your location will display as a **Blue Dot**. If sign-ins are being missed near the boundary often, ask your administrator to review the geofence shape or turn on the sign-out zone if this has been turned off  — ***see how do I set or edit a site's geofence boundary.***

### **Result**

You'll know GPS sign-in is working again when the worker receives a Site Entry notification on arrival and appears signed in on the site's **Detail's** tab.

![](https://docs.sitesoft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-19-2026-04-03-29-4127-AM.png?width=250&height=505&name=image-png-Aug-19-2026-04-03-29-4127-AM.png)

### **When to contact Customer Success**

If permission, site access and device settings are all correct and GPS still isn't recording attendance, contact Customer Success with the worker's device type and operating system, the site name, and the date and time of the missed sign-in or sign-out.

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