TripLog App AutoStart Options
Part 1 - MagicTrip, Vehicle Bluetooth, and Plug N Go
Show video transcript
Show video transcript
Welcome to TripLog. In our previous video, we covered app setup, permissions, and adding a vehicle. In this video, we'll cover the TripLog AutoStart options available for automatically recording your mileage.
TripLog offers several options for recording mileage, ranging from fully automated to manual start and stop. Let's compare some of your options for automatic mileage capture. Keep in mind that your company may have selected a default for your AutoStart, but we'll cover the options in case you're able to choose.
MagicTrip:
MagicTrip is TripLog's fully automated mileage tracking solution. The app will monitor your location and trigger tracking to start when you drive. The TripLog app will automatically start recording once you exceed five miles per hour, starting from your initial location and following you as you drive. Once you've stopped for more than five minutes, the trip will end, creating your trip's endpoint. When you start driving again, recording will continue while you drive. This is based on the default settings, which we'll look at shortly.
It's worth mentioning that, due to MagicTrip's fully automated nature, the app must have the correct permissions enabled and be at least open in the background. Refer to the previous training for how to set up your permissions.
MagicTrip Settings:
The main settings for configuring MagicTrip are responsiveness, speed threshold, and timeout settings. The default responsiveness is Normal; you can increase or decrease it as needed. The speed threshold is set to 5 miles per hour by default, and the timeout is set to 5 minutes. For a relatively new device, these settings are appropriate. Refer to our other help documentation if you need more detailed information.
You may sometimes need to pause tracking — for example, if you're a passenger and aren't logging mileage, or if you need to stop mileage recording for a period of time. You can pause by clicking the AutoStart title and accepting the AutoStart pause message. Remember to turn it back on when you need to start recording mileage again. Depending on your company's settings, you may not have the option to pause MagicTrip tracking.
Vehicle Bluetooth:
TripLog has the ability to use the Bluetooth already connected in your vehicle to trigger tracking. Once set up, TripLog will know which vehicle you're in based on that connection and will assign trips accordingly.
How it works: when you start your vehicle and your phone connects to Bluetooth as it normally would. The app enters ready-to-record mode for the previously configured timeout period. Once you exceed the speed threshold, it will start recording a trip. Once you stop and turn off the vehicle, the trip will end automatically. Since the Bluetooth connection is unique, you can assign the vehicle to the connection and TripLog will automatically assign mileage to that vehicle.
Vehicle Bluetooth Settings:
Vehicle Bluetooth settings are a bit different between iOS and Android. On iOS, you'll need to be actively connected to your vehicle's Bluetooth for the pairing option to be available. On Android, you'll be able to select a previously paired Bluetooth connection.
Once you've selected your Bluetooth device, choose one of the vehicles added in TripLog to link it to that connection. You can also unlink the vehicle if you need to change where the information is saved. Note that the difference between Bluetooth and MagicTrip is that the timeout setting is the length of time from your initial Bluetooth connection until the app stops monitoring movement.
An example of this would be if you typically start your vehicle and make calls or handle paperwork while it warms up, or some variation of that. If you start the vehicle and remain seated for 10 minutes before driving, the default 5-minute timeout would have passed and the trip wouldn't be recorded. You'd want to set the timeout longer than 10 minutes if that's your usual routine. You can always restart this timer by reconnecting to Bluetooth — turning the vehicle off and back on, or simply toggling your Bluetooth off and on to reset that timer.
Plug N Go:
Plug N Go gives you the ability to control when the app is recording simply by plugging your device into power. When you plug in your phone, it's ready to record, and the trip will start recording once you're above the speed threshold. Once you unplug your device, the trip ends and recording stops. To start recording again, simply plug your phone back into the charger and continue recording.
Note that the behavior of the timeout setting is similar to that of Vehicle Bluetooth.
Depending on your device platform and its features, you may be able to set up Plug N Go AutoStart with a wireless charger. Make sure the device is securely mounted to allow optimal performance.
TripLog AutoStart
Compare AutoStart Options
In the TripLog app: TripLog App > Main Menu (three line icon ≡) > AutoStart ON > Compare AutoStart Options
This will let you take the quiz to see if there's an option that's a better fit for you. You can click on each one to see a brief explanation of how each works and the pros and cons of each AutoStart.
Note: your AutoStart may be determined by your company. If this default setting is chosen, you won't be able to change or turn off AutoStart.
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AutoStart Options
MagicTrip - Vehicle Bluetooth - Plug N Go - TripLog Drive - TripLog Beacon - Manual Tracking
MagicTrip
MagicTrip Explanation
MagicTrip is TripLog's fully automated mileage tracking solution. MagicTrip monitors your location at regular intervals and uses the phone's internal GPS to detect movement. When you exceed the SPEED THRESHOLD, the TripLog app will start a GPS tracking trip from your original location, begin recording, and log the driving route as well as waypoints according to the app's settings. Then, when you stop for longer than the TIMEOUT setting, the app will end the trip. If you start driving again within the next 3 minutes, the trip will be linked to the previous one as a buffer zone between trips. If you exceed the timeout and the buffer zone, it will end the trip and save it in the app. You'll see the trip with a start point, an end point, and a driving route with waypoints.
MagicTrip Steps
Standby (monitoring movement above 5 mph)
Start driving (the trip begins from the standby location) = Start point
Driving (speed above 5 mph without stopping for more than 5 minutes) = Driving route
Stop driving (below 5 mph for more than 5 minutes) = End point
No new trip (3-minute buffer zone for additional movement) = Trip saved
Requirements and Settings
Required Permissions
Location = Allow Always / Always Allow For MagicTrip to work correctly, the location permission must be set to Allow Always or Always Allow. The operating system will occasionally remind you that the app is using your location. Be sure to keep allowing it always / all the time
Background Access and Battery Saver/Optimization Background access and battery optimizations must be allowed for the app to continue running in the background.
MagicTrip Settings
Setting | Default Value | Description |
Responsiveness | Normal | Determines how often the app checks location to detect movement, and how often the app will request location permission. While a higher value may improve tracking, it could negatively affect battery life. |
Speed Threshold | 5 mph | The threshold for tracking to begin. While monitoring movement, the app validates movement and tracks speed changes using its built-in measurement tools. If the set threshold is exceeded, tracking will begin. |
Timeout | 5 minutes | The timeout setting for MagicTrip is the amount of time after stopping before the trip ends. If you stop or drop below the speed threshold, the timeout will begin. If you don't exceed the speed threshold again before the timeout ends, the trip will end. |
Detailed Notifications | On | This will determine the app's ability to provide additional notifications indicating the start and end of the trip, as well as other notifications, such as when the app is on standby or there's no movement and the trip will end soon. You can control audio cues globally from your phone's settings, but this will control most notifications tied to MagicTrip. |
Vehicle Bluetooth
Vehicle Bluetooth Explanation
Vehicle Bluetooth uses the existing connection between your phone and your vehicle. When you get into your vehicle and start it, your phone connects to Bluetooth. The app will enter Ready to Record mode for the TIMEOUT period and wait for you to exceed the SPEED THRESHOLD setting. While you drive, it will continue recording your route, then end the trip when you turn off your vehicle and the connection no longer exists. If you use multiple vehicles with Vehicle Bluetooth, the connection is unique, so the app will be able to assign mileage to the correct vehicle.
Vehicle Bluetooth Steps (How It Works)
Start the vehicle (Bluetooth connects to the phone)
Bluetooth tracking on standby (waiting out the timeout for movement)
Start driving (exceed 5 mph within the timeout) = Start point
Driving (while Bluetooth remains connected, the app keeps recording) = Driving route
Stop and turn off the vehicle (Bluetooth disconnects) = End point
No new trip or Bluetooth connection (buffer period is exceeded) = Trip saved
Requirements and Settings
Required Permissions
Location = Allow Always / Always Allow For MagicTrip to work correctly, the location permission must be set to Allow Always or Always Allow. The operating system will occasionally remind you that the app is using your location. Be sure to keep allowing it always / all the time
Nearby Devices or Bluetooth access is required in order to monitor the Bluetooth connection with previously configured devices. This may be requested up front, but it should also be available in the device settings.
Background Access and Battery Saver/Optimization Background access and battery optimizations must be allowed for the app to continue running in the background.
Bluetooth Settings
Android Menu | iOS Menu |
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Setting | Default | Description |
Select Vehicle Bluetooth | No default value | List of Bluetooth devices connected to the phone. (iOS requires an active connection to see and configure items on this list) |
Link Bluetooth Devices to Vehicles | Default vehicle based on device selection | Link the vehicle configured in TripLog to determine where mileage will be associated when it's captured automatically. |
Speed Threshold | 5 mph | Speed threshold for triggering tracking. During the timeout period, the app will monitor movement and begin recording if it's exceeded. Android only: there's an Instant Start setting that allows tracking to begin regardless of the speed threshold once Bluetooth connects. |
Timeout Minutes | 5 | Length of the timer from the initial Bluetooth connection to the end of movement monitoring. A longer time is usually better. If there's no movement during the timeout, movement monitoring will end. You'll need to reset the connection to restart it. You can reset this by toggling Bluetooth off and on, or by restarting the radio/vehicle. |
Detailed Notifications | On | This will determine the app's ability to provide additional notifications indicating the start and end of the trip, as well as other notifications, such as when the app is on standby or there's no movement and the trip will end soon. You can control audio cues globally from your phone's settings, but this will control most notifications. |
Show Trip Edit After Auto Stop | Off (Android-only feature) | This will open the app to allow the user to update the details needed to add to the trip. Some fields may be required, and you'll need to save manually or the trip will be lost. |
Plug N Go
Plug N Go Explanation
Plug N Go gives you the ability to control when the app is recording simply by plugging your device into power. When you plug in your phone, it's ready to record, and the trip will start recording once you're above the speed threshold. Once you unplug your device, the trip ends and recording stops. To start recording again, simply plug your phone back into the charger and continue recording.
Note that the behavior of the timeout setting is similar to that of Vehicle Bluetooth.
Depending on your device platform and its features, you may be able to set up Plug N Go AutoStart with a wireless charger. Make sure the device is securely mounted to allow optimal performance.
Plug N Go Steps (How It Works)
Plug the phone into power (wired or wireless connected to the phone)
Plug N Go on standby (waiting out the timeout for movement)
Start driving (exceed 5 mph within the timeout) = Start point
Driving (while Bluetooth remains connected, the app keeps recording) = Driving route
Stop or unplug power (power disconnects) = End point
No new trip or power connection (buffer period is exceeded) = Trip saved
Required Permissions
Location = Allow Always / Always Allow For MagicTrip to work correctly, the location permission must be set to Allow Always or Always Allow. The operating system will occasionally remind you that the app is using your location. Be sure to keep allowing it always / all the time
Background Access and Battery Saver/Optimization Background access and battery optimizations must be allowed for the app to continue running in the background.