STRIVE Activity Tracker Background Syncing (Released Beginning Friday, September 4, 2020)

The mobile application is configured for your clinic.  Some or all of the features discussed here may not be available in your clinic's app.  Further, an updated version of the app must be published to both the Google Play and iOS stores for new features to become available.  The dates for this release are specific to your clinic.  Please contact support if you have any questions.

Beginning Friday September 4, 2020, the STRIVE Activity Tracker will now sync automatically with the app while the app runs in the background.

About Background Syncing

Until this release, syncing data from the STRIVE Activity Tracker with the mobile app involved a manual process.  To sync the data from the STRIVE Activity Tracker, a patient was required to go into their mobile app and select the Sync Tracker button:

     

That manual process is now enhanced with background syncing.  As long as the STRIVE Activity Tracker has been synced once in the mobile app, data will be automatically synced from the device as long as the app is running in the background.  This background syncing will execute approximately once per day.  Users may still manually sync their steps whenever desired.  The background syncing will continue unaffected. 

How to Setup and Use Background Syncing

For most users that have a STRIVE Activity Tracker, using background syncing will be a seamless process that requires little to no adjustment to how they currently use the mobile app:

1. Manually Sync Tracker
   Patients must first manually sync their STRIVE Activity Tracker once.  This process essentially connects the specific device with the app, and will make the app remember which device to sync automatically.
2. Keep the App Running in the Background
   For background syncing to occur, the mobile app must continue running in the background.  The majority of users do not quit or exit apps, so this step can generally be ignored.
3. Use the App at Least a Few Times per Week
   Background syncing will occur typically once during a 24 hour period.  There is no specific or pre-scheduled time this will occur, but generally when your phone is not being heavily used.  Using the app at least a few times per week will ensure the syncing frequency is regular. 
   
   In addition, keep in mind that for security reasons and HIPAA compliance, the app requires that you login every 30 days.  Once logged out (which can happen when the app is running in the background), background syncing is not able to occur.  Using the app at least a few times per week will ensure that you log back into the app expediently.
4. Keep your STRIVE Activity Tracker Charged and In Use
   Finally, be sure your STRIVE Activity Tracker is charged and being used.  The device can only be synced if it has power (is charged).

Troubleshooting and Phone Settings

• Be Sure Bluetooth is Enabled
  Background syncing will not function unless manual syncing also succeeds.  The primary reason device syncing may fail is that bluetooth is not enabled on your phone.  Please review the platform-specific guide as needed:
  
  • Android STRIVE Activity Tracker syncing
  • iOS STRIVE Activity Tracker syncing
• Sync Manually Again if the App is Reinstalled
  When a user deletes their app or upgrades to a new phone, they will be required to install the app again.  In this case (on app reinstall), the mobile app will "forget" the saved tracker.  The user simply needs to manually sync the tracker once in the new app, and background syncing will resume.    
• Android Requires No Additional Settings
  There are no additional settings for Android users.
• Enable Background App Refresh on iOS
  iOS users must enabled the Background App Refresh setting:
  • System-Wide Settings: Go to Settings->General->Background App Refresh, and be sure it is turned on for both the phone and the specific app:
    
  • App-specific Settings: Go to Settings->Your Clinic's App (CoachCare in this example) and be sure the setting is enabled for the app:
    
• iOS Sync Frequency
  The frequency of background syncing in iOS apps is strongly controlled by iOS, and not within the control of our app or developer to modify.  You can typically expect the syncing to occur once per 24 hour period, but it may become more or less frequent based on how a user utilizes the app and their phone.  The primary factors that influence how frequently background syncing occurs includes:
  • How frequently a user engages with the app
    
    • This is the most important factor.  If a user doesn't engage or use the app for a few weeks, background syncing may be stopped completely by the iOS system
  • How heavily they use their phone in general
  • The available battery life of the device