# GPS Not Collecting for only a few participants **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [April 16, 2024, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795 "2024-04-16T15:15:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/skoesterer)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/1 "2024-04-16T15:15:08Z")
Hello, for the study we are running we collect GPS and screen state data. We understand that setting up the phone properly so that it allows the app to collect location data constantly is important so our participants all should have that setting configured on their phone. However, we have about 3 participants out of 15 where the app is not collecting GPS data or screen state. Do you know why this may be happening? We do not think it is due to the configuration of the phone’s settings so are there other possibilities of errors that would lead to this? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/skoesterer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/2 "2024-04-17T15:31:08Z")
![image](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/uploads/default/original/1X/9243483d8a1b93b255a382e407f919cb43cd68be.png) Additionally, some participants have the GPS collecting in very scattered ways. I was wondering why this participant may have this while others are smooth and consistent in their collection? ---
**Author:** ![mojtaba](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@mojtaba](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/mojtaba)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 8:25am UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/3 "2024-04-19T08:25:49Z")
Dear Sophia, Really sorry for the late response. I asked my colleagues to check this and get back to you ASAP. Best regards, Mojtaba ---
**Author:** ![omid.dolatkia](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/6f9a4e/32.png) [@omid.dolatkia](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/omid.dolatkia)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/4 "2024-04-19T17:18:37Z")
Hi @skoesterer, Hope you are doing well, Could you please provide me with the `user_ids` for all three participants? Kind regards, Omid ---
**Author:** ![skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/skoesterer)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/5 "2024-04-19T18:07:09Z")
Yes, here are the user\_ids for the 3 participants who have strange GPS data: 89950, 92638, and 93556. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![omid.dolatkia](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/6f9a4e/32.png) [@omid.dolatkia](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/omid.dolatkia)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/6 "2024-04-20T23:27:02Z")
Hi @skoesterer, Users `89950` and `92638` did not grant the “Allow Always” permission for location services. For user 93556, it appears that the app was terminated, which is why the data collection is scattered. Please advise users to grant the “Allow Always” permission for location services and encourage them to keep the app open in the background without swiping it away from recent apps. We cannot collect location data when the app is terminated. Kind regards, Omid ---
**Author:** ![skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@skoesterer](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/skoesterer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/7 "2024-04-22T15:57:18Z")
Thank you Omid! Based on what I’ve read, I was under the impression that the participant would not have to worry about keeping the app open if they have the “Allow Always” permission granted as that permission allows the phone to keep collecting data even if the app is terminate. Is that not the case? Additionally, is there a way for me to check if a participant has granted the “Allow Always” permission or can only you all check that? Thank you for your time! ---
**Author:** ![omid.dolatkia](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/6f9a4e/32.png) [@omid.dolatkia](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/u/omid.dolatkia)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.avicennaresearch.com/t/gps-not-collecting-for-only-a-few-participants/795/8 "2024-04-27T16:35:07Z")
Hi @skoesterer, I hope you are doing well, and I apologize for the delayed response. Unfortunately not, The user needs to keep the app open in the **background** to ensure a seamless data collection experience. For information on permissions, please visit: [Audit Trail | Avicenna Learn](https://learn.avicennaresearch.com/reference/study-setup-and-deployment/audit-trail#43-available-notifications-changed) Kind regards, Omid