Installing the Android app
TrackTime Full is distributed as a direct download rather than through Google Play, because Play does not allow the background permissions it needs. Android treats any app from outside Play as an unknown source and asks you to allow it once.
Install
- On your phone, sign in to the dashboard at tracktime.com and open Android App in the menu.
- Tap the download button. The link is tied to your account and has a download limit, so do not share it.
- When the download finishes, open it. If Android says the browser is not allowed to install unknown apps, tap Settings, turn on Allow from this source, and go back.
- Tap Install. If Google Play Protect warns that the app is not from Play, choose Install anyway. TrackTime is not in Play by design.
- Open the app and sign in.
Check the signature (optional)
The Android App page in the dashboard shows the SHA-256 fingerprint of the certificate every TrackTime build is signed with. If you want to verify a download, compare it against the fingerprint your phone or a tool such as apksigner reports. Every TrackTime release, Full and Lite, is signed with the same certificate, so the fingerprint never changes.
Updating
The app checks for a new version when you open its dashboard, at most every six hours. When one exists a card appears with the version number, the release notes, and a Download button. Download opens the install link in your browser and Android's installer updates the app in place. Your sign-in, entries, and permissions are kept. Later hides that version until the next one.
On the web, a dot appears next to Android App in the menu while your phone is on an older version than the current release.
After an update the Setup Permissions screen appears once more so you can grant anything new. If everything is already granted it only takes a tap.
TrackTime Lite
Lite installs and updates through Google Play like any other app. It has a manual timer and travel tracking and asks for far fewer permissions. It does not capture calls, messages, or email. The same account works in both editions.