App Support — MAPPS

Installation and activation for iOS users:

Click the iOS link provided at the end of the sociodemographic questionnaire on Qualtrics. You will also receive this link via email.
The MAPPING@Brown app uses Apple’s beta platform, TestFlight.
If you do not already have the TestFlight app on your phone, you will be prompted to download TestFlight from the App Store. Please allow notifications from TestFlight so you are aware of any updates to the MAPPING@Brown app.
If you already have the TestFlight app on your phone, simply click “Accept the invitation in TestFlight” to continue.
If you’ve just installed TestFlight, open the email you received from Qualtrics and click on the iOS link again. You should now see MAPPING@Brown in your list of TestFlight apps. Click “install.”
Open the MAPPING@Brown app and accept the suggested permissions.
Bluetooth: A pop-up will tell you that “MAPPING@Brown Would Like to Use Bluetooth.” Please click “OK.”
Location services: A second pop-up will ask whether you want to “Allow MAPPING@Brown to use your location?”. In the top left of the displayed map, there is a small button. It should say “Precise: On” in blue. If this button says “Precise: Off” and is grayed out, tap it once to switch it on. After you’ve confirmed precise location is enabled, select “Allow While Using App.”
[Please note that Apple requires us to enable location services since we are using Bluetooth to triangulate location. No GPS data is being recorded. iOS requires precise location services in order for us to scan for Bluetooth beacons frequently. Without precise location services activated, the data received is too coarse to be of use to modelers.]
Use your brown.edu email (the same email you used to sign the informed consent) to create a MAPPING@Brown account.
You will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions (the app Terms of Use & Privacy Policy) before continuing. If you’re looking for more information on participant privacy, please refer to the Privacy and Confidentiality section of our FAQ page.
Once you’ve logged in you will advance to the app home page, which displays a toggle switch. If your Bluetooth and Location permissions are configured correctly, you should be able to swipe to the right and activate scanning.
The toggle graphic will become colorful and read “CONNECTED”.
At some point during your first few days using the app, another location services pop-up will give you the option of allowing MAPPING@Brown to use your location “Always.” Please select this option.
Check that scanning is toggled on whenever you are at 121 S Main Street. Happy data collection!

Troubleshooting tips for iOS:

If you’re not able to connect and activate scanning, it’s most likely because app permissions are not configured correctly. Once your settings match what’s pictured, try killing (closing) the app and/or restarting your phone before trying again.

If you find yourself stuck, please get in touch with our team. For those at SPH, stop by the MAPPS table in the lobby where volunteers are available to help throughout the day. Alternatively, you can contact mapps@brown.edu with a description of the issue and we’ll forward your message to a team member who can help.

Deleting the app:

For information on deleting the app and/or withdrawing from the MAPPING@Brown study, visit the Account Deletion page. Instructions there apply to both iOS and Android users.

Installation and activation for Android users:

Click the Android link provided at the end of the sociodemographic questionnaire on Qualtrics. You will also receive this link via email.
Select “Join the beta” for the MAPPING@Brown app.
Open the MAPPING@Brown app and accept the suggested permissions.
Location: A pop-up will ask if you want to “Allow MAPPING@Brown to access this device’s location.” Please ensure the “Precise” option is highlighted and select “While using the app.”
Background location permission: A second pop-up will inform you that MAPPING@Brown uses your location in the background. Please click “OK” to advance.
Location permission: Your phone will bring you to the “Location permission” settings page for MAPPING@Brown. Select the “Allow all the time” option for location access.
Nearby devices: Back in the app, a pop-up will ask if you want to “Allow MAPPING@Brown to find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices.” Select “Allow” to advance.
[Please note that Android requires us to enable these location services since we are using Bluetooth to triangulate location. No GPS data is being recorded. Android requires precise location services in order for us to scan for Bluetooth beacons frequently. Without precise location services activated, the data received is too coarse to be of use to modelers.]
Use your brown.edu email (the same email you used to sign the informed consent) to create a MAPPING@Brown account.
You will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions (the app Terms of Use & Privacy Policy) before continuing. If you’re looking for more information on participant privacy, please refer to the Privacy and Confidentiality section of our FAQ page.
Once you’ve logged in you will advance to the app home page, which displays a toggle switch. If your Bluetooth and Location permissions are configured correctly, you should be able to swipe to the right and activate scanning.
The toggle graphic will become colorful and read “CONNECTED” below.
Check that scanning is toggled on whenever you are at 121 S Main Street. Happy data collection!

Troubleshooting tips for Android:

If you’re not able to connect and activate scanning, it’s most likely because app permissions are not configured correctly. Once your settings match what’s pictured, try killing (closing) the app and/or restarting your phone before trying again.

If you find yourself stuck, please get in touch with our team. For those at SPH, stop by the MAPPS table in the lobby where volunteers are available to help throughout the day. Alternatively, you can contact mapps@brown.edu with a description of the issue and we’ll forward your message to a team member who can help.

Deleting the app:

For information on deleting the app and/or withdrawing from the MAPPING@Brown study, visit the Account Deletion page. Instructions there apply to both iOS and Android users.