Start Tracking
Press the Start button and head to work. Time tracking begins automatically when you enter a geofenced location.
Timewire
Press Start and head to work. Time tracking begins automatically when you enter a location.
How Automatic Time Tracking Works for Tradesmen and Contractors
Timewire's automatic time tracking uses geofencing technology to detect when you enter or exit a work site. Once you press the Start button and head to work, the app monitors your location in the background. When you arrive at a geofenced location (like a client's home or construction site), Timewire automatically starts tracking your time. When you leave, it stops tracking.
This hands-free approach is perfect for tradesmen and contractors who work at multiple job sites throughout the day. Instead of manually clocking in and out at each location, Timewire handles it automatically, ensuring you never miss billing hours and eliminating the hassle of remembering to track time.
Step-by-Step: Starting Automatic Time Tracking
- Open the Timewire App: Launch Timewire on your iPhone before you start your workday. The app needs to be running (even in the background) for automatic tracking to work.
- Press the Start Button: On the main screen, you'll see a large green "Start Tracking" button. Tap this button to enable automatic time tracking for the day. The button will turn red and show "Stop Tracking" when active.
- Head to Your First Job Site: Once you've pressed Start, simply drive or travel to your first work location. You don't need to do anything else—Timewire is monitoring your location in the background.
- Automatic Clock-In: When you arrive at a geofenced work site (within 150 meters), Timewire automatically detects your arrival and starts tracking your time. You may receive a notification confirming that tracking has started.
- Work as Normal: Continue working at the job site. Timewire continues tracking in the background. You can lock your phone, use other apps, or make calls—tracking continues automatically.
- Automatic Clock-Out: When you leave the geofenced area, Timewire automatically stops tracking your time. The time entry is saved with the location name, start time, end time, and duration.
- Repeat for Multiple Locations: As you move between job sites throughout the day, Timewire automatically creates separate time entries for each location. Each entry is linked to the specific work site, making it easy to invoice clients by location.
Understanding Geofencing and Location Detection
Geofencing creates an invisible boundary around each work site. For work sites, Timewire uses a 150-meter radius. When you enter this area, the app detects your arrival and starts tracking. When you leave, it stops tracking.
How Accurate is Geofencing?
GPS-based geofencing is typically accurate within 5-10 meters under good conditions. The 150-meter radius provides a buffer that accounts for GPS variations while ensuring reliable automatic tracking. This works well for fixed locations like client addresses or construction sites.
What if I'm Between Locations?
If you're traveling between job sites and not within any geofenced area, Timewire won't track time. This prevents billing for travel time unless you've specifically set up travel time tracking. When you arrive at your next work site, tracking automatically resumes.
Manual Time Entry as a Backup
While automatic tracking is the primary method, Timewire also supports manual time entry. This is useful if:
- You forgot to press the Start button
- You worked at a location that wasn't geofenced
- You need to correct or adjust a time entry
- GPS signal was weak and automatic tracking didn't trigger
To manually add time, go to the Timesheet tab and tap the "+" button. You can then select the location, set start and end times, and add any work descriptions.
Best Practices for Automatic Time Tracking
Press Start at the Beginning of Your Day
Make it a habit to press the Start button when you begin your workday. This ensures automatic tracking is active before you arrive at your first job site.
Keep Your Phone Charged
Location tracking uses battery power. Keep your phone charged or use a car charger during long work days to ensure continuous tracking.
Review Your Timesheet Daily
At the end of each day, quickly review your timesheet to ensure all entries are accurate. This helps you catch any missing entries while details are fresh in your mind.
Stop Tracking at End of Day
When your workday is complete, press the Stop button to disable automatic tracking. This conserves battery and ensures you don't accidentally track time outside of work hours.
Common Questions About Starting Time Tracking
Do I need to keep the app open while tracking?
No, once you've pressed Start, you can close the app or use other apps. Timewire continues tracking in the background as long as location permissions are set to "Always" and the Start button remains enabled.
What if I arrive at a job site but tracking doesn't start?
First, verify that the Start button is enabled. If it is, check that location permissions are set to "Always" in iOS Settings. You can also manually add the time entry if automatic tracking didn't trigger.
Can I track time at multiple locations in one day?
Yes, Timewire automatically creates separate time entries for each location you visit. As you move between job sites, each arrival and departure is tracked independently, making it easy to invoice clients for work at specific locations.
What happens if my phone battery dies?
If your phone battery dies, tracking will stop. When you charge your phone and reopen Timewire, you can manually add any missing time entries. The app will show you the last known location and time to help you reconstruct the entry.
Next Steps: Add Work Descriptions
Once automatic time tracking is running, you can enhance your time entries by adding work descriptions. These descriptions help clients understand what work was performed and are automatically included in invoices for paid plans.
For tradesmen and contractors who invoice clients by day rate or location, having detailed work descriptions makes your invoices more professional and helps justify your billing to clients.
Pro Tip
Or manually add time blocks in the Timesheet tab