The Care Lab App needs to keep running in the background to stay connected to the Empatica wearable and sync data throughout the day. Both iOS and Android include power-saving features that can suspend or close background apps, which interrupts this process.
When the app is stopped, the phone is unable to communicate with the Empatica wearable and the connection is lost. Data keeps being recorded on the device's internal memory, but it is not uploaded, which can lead to gaps in the data, a full device memory, and participants showing with missing data in the Care Lab Portal.
The Care Lab App asks to grant a battery management exception during pairing. However, some phones require the additional steps described below.
Menu names and paths vary between operating system versions and, on Android, between manufacturers. If you cannot find a setting, check the phone's user manual.
General recommendations
These apply to both iOS and Android:
- Do not close the Care Lab App. Leave it running in the background. Closing the app from the app switcher, or "swiping it away", stops it from communicating with the Empatica wearable.
- Keep the phone with the participant and within Bluetooth range of the wearable (10 meters/30 feet, without obstacles such as walls or heavy furniture).
- Keep the phone charged and connected to the internet, over either WiFi or cellular data.
- Allow notifications for the Care Lab App, so the participant receives alerts about low battery, sync issues, and charging reminders.
- Keep the app up to date, so the phone always runs the latest supported version.
- Avoid connecting other Bluetooth devices to the smartphone while the Empatica wearable is in use. On some phones, accessories such as wireless earbuds or Bluetooth speakers may interfere with the connection and disrupt the data flow.
iOS Configure your iOS device
Battery and background activity
- Make sure Low Power Mode is disabled.
Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode > off - Make sure Background App Refresh is enabled, both globally and for the Care Lab App.
Settings > General > Background App Refresh
Settings > Care Lab > Background App Refresh > on
Connectivity
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled and allowed for the Care Lab App.
Settings > Care Lab > Bluetooth > on - If the participant is not always on WiFi, make sure Cellular Data is enabled for the Care Lab App, so data can be uploaded while they are away from home.
Settings > Cellular > Care Lab > on - Make sure Low Data Mode is disabled, as it restricts background data transfers.
Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Low Data Mode > off
Settings > WiFi > (i) next to the network > Low Data Mode > off
Keep the app installed and available
- Make sure Offload Unused Apps is disabled. When enabled, iOS can automatically remove apps that have not been opened recently.
Settings > App Store > Offload Unused Apps > off - Check that any Focus mode or Do Not Disturb schedule does not silence Care Lab App notifications.
Settings > Focus
Android Configure your Android device
Setting battery management exceptions may differ across manufacturers. Please check your phone manual for specific instructions.
Battery and background activity
- Disable any power-saving modes, as these may prevent the use of Bluetooth devices.
Settings > Battery > toggle off any power-saving features or modes - Disable any battery optimization features for the Care Lab App.
Settings > Apps > Care Lab (App info) > Battery > select "Unrestricted", or
Settings > Apps > Care Lab (App info) > Battery usage > enable "Allow Background Activity" - Remove the Care Lab App from any 'deep sleeping', 'sleeping', or 'doze' modes, or similar features.
Settings > Battery > Background usage limits > remove Care Lab from "Sleeping apps", or
Settings > Battery > top-right 3 dots > Battery Optimization > All Apps > Care Lab > "Don't Optimize" -
Lock or pin the Care Lab App in your "Recent apps", so it is not closed when clearing recent apps.
Recent apps > Care Lab > Lock app (padlock icon)
Permissions
- Grant the Companion device permission while pairing your Empatica wearable.
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled and the Nearby devices permission is granted to the Care Lab App.
Settings > Apps > Care Lab > Permissions > Nearby devices > Allow - Make sure Location services are enabled and allowed for the Care Lab App. (Location services are mandatory by the Operating System to enable Bluetooth scanning. The Care Lab App will not access, share, or store any location information for any of its features.)
- Disable the option that removes permissions for unused apps. Android can revoke permissions automatically if an app is not opened for a while, which would break the connection to the wearable.
Settings > Apps > Care Lab > "Pause app activity if unused" > off
Connectivity
- Allow background data usage for the Care Lab App, and allow data usage while Data Saver is on.
Settings > Apps > Care Lab > Mobile data & WiFi > enable "Background data" and "Unrestricted data usage"
What to avoid
- Force closing or swiping away the Care Lab App
- Enabling battery saver, Low Power Mode, or Data Saver during the monitoring period
- Clearing the app's data or cache
- Uninstalling the app, or letting the phone remove it automatically
- Pairing the Empatica wearable from the phone's Bluetooth settings instead of from the Care Lab App
- Connecting several other Bluetooth accessories at the same time
If the issue persists, fill out the form by clicking on Submit a request at the bottom of this page, or by going to this link. Please provide as much information as possible to the Empatica Research Support Team and we will then reach out directly to assist you further.