Tablet Checkup and Update

When having issues with tablets or the MLS app or for routine maintenance

Quick Checkup and App Update

Once a week or so, it's probably a good idea to make sure all of the apps and the Android OS on your tablets are up to date. By default, most tablets are set to only check and perform updates when on WiFi and not over cellular. If the WiFi is disabled on your tablets (which is generally a pretty good practice to prevent issues caused by poor WiFi connections and transitions to/from cellular network), then the tablet may not be notifying you or updating everything like it should.

Here's a checklist of what to check on the tablet. If you need additional information on how to perform these checks, they are explained in more detail below in the article.

Perform app updates from the Play Store.
Check MLS App Permissions to ensure Location is enabled.
Check that Location on tablet is enabled.
Set Locating Method to High Accuracy.
Check Sound Volume and make sure Media volume is up.
Check the Date/Time settings and make sure that Automatic Date/Time is enabled. This is critical to ensure proper synchronization between the tablet and the server. If the time is not set properly on the tablets, you will experience issues such as trips not updating, not clearing off or "boomeranging" back, false bird sounds, etc..
Open the app and Clear Cache before logging in.
From your manifest, check the Map button and that the map displays your current location (if your tablet is getting good satellite signals).
Set Battery Optimization Settings to ensure they don't interfere with the app by limiting functions or communications.
On the map, check that you have a Start Navigation button. If not, use the troubleshooting steps in the Troubleshooting Common Issues on Tablets article.

If you need more detail on how to perform the checklist above, follow the steps below.

From base, turn on the WiFi on the tablet and connect (if not already on).
Open the Play Store app, check for updates and perform the updates.
Once the Easy Rides Driver Manifest app updates or installs, open the app
From the app login screen, swipe down from the MIDDLE of the screen NOT from the top. This should reveal the app menu button.

Tap Clear Cache. This should reload the login screen.
Go to the tablet settings (not the app settings).
Tap on Apps then "Application Manager" and locate the MLS app.

Tap on the MLS App then Permissions.
Enable Location if not already enabled.

Go back to the main settings menu and find "Location" and tap on it.
Make sure Location is Enabled. You can have the WiFi radio on the tablet stay OFF even if you use the "High Accuracy" Locating Method on newer versions of Android (7 and higher).
In the Location Settings Tap on "Improve Accuracy". Enable (turn on) "Wi-Fi scanning" and "Bluetooth scanning.
Open Google Maps and tap the Location Icon to see if it centers the map on your current location. If you see a message from Google to "Allow Location" be sure to allow it. If you tap "OK" then Google will turn on "High Accuracy Mode".
Go back to the main settings menu and find "Sounds and vibration" and tap on it.
Tap on "Volume" and make sure that "Media" volume is up all the way. Media volume is what is used for the notification sound (bird sounds) that is used by the manifest app - NOT "Notifications" as you might think.
Go to the manifest app and run it. It should now be ready to login and function normally.

Ensure Battery Saving/Optimization functions are not interfering with the app. There are two separate things to check that are both under the title of "Battery Optimization" but seem to have unique settings. (See Additional Directions below).
In the Battery Settings:
- Make sure Power saving mode is OFF
- Tap "Unmonitored apps" to select apps that won't be suggested to be put to sleep. These apps an use as much power as they want and App power monitor will not do anything to stop them.
- Tap "Add apps", scroll to find the MLS app and tap it to add to the list then tap "Done".

How to turn off battery optimization for the Driver App:

Open the "Optimize Battery Usage" settings menu:

Android6

Go into the Tablet Settings -> Battery -> ... (top-right) -> Optimize battery usage
Change the default view at the top of the menu from "Apps not optimized" to "All apps".
Find MLS in the extra long list of apps and tap it to turn the option OFF.

Android 7

Go into the Tablet Settings -> Apps -> Application Manager → and tap on the three dots for the menu (top-right details menu) then tap -> Special Access -> Optimize battery usage.
Change the default view at the top of the menu from "Apps not optimized" to "All apps".
Find MLS in the extra long list of apps and tap it to turn the option OFF.
Go back to the main Settings menu then Battery → Unmonitored Apps and make sure MLS is on the list.

Android 8

Go into the Tablet Settings -> Apps -> MLS -> Battery (list item with a usage gauge) -> Optimize battery usage.
Change the default view at the top of the menu from "Apps not optimized" to "All apps".
Find MLS in the extra long list of apps and tap it to turn the option OFF.

Android 9

Go into the Tablet Settings -> Apps & Notifications →Scroll down and tap on "Avanced" to expand App permissions, Emergency alert→"Special app access"→"Battery Optimization".
Change the default view at the top of the menu from "Apps not optimized" to "All apps".
Find MLS in the extra long list of apps and tap then tap "Don't Optimize" then "Done".

See Troubleshooting Common Issues on Tablets for additional information if something isn't working right.

Easy Rides Knowledge Base