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How GPS, Geofencing & Mileage Tracking Works in Workyard

Learn how Workyard creates the most accurate time cards with its leading GPS technology

Alex avatar
Written by Alex
Updated this week

How It Helps

Workyard’s GPS time clock captures precise arrival, departure, and address-level data—no manual input required. This gives you full confidence that every time card reflects exactly where and when work happened.

With the added power of polygon geofences, you can enhance tracking accuracy, streamline project tagging, and improve job site oversight.

How It Works

Clocking in with GPS Tracking

When a team member clocks in using the Workyard mobile app, they'll be prompted to grant the following permissions:

  • Location tracking: Set to Always and Precise Location: On

  • Motion tracking: Enabled

These permissions allow Workyard to:

  • Detect stops at job sites and automatically log entry/exit times

  • Track when a team member starts driving to calculate mileage and travel time

  • Update GPS location every 5 minutes while clocked in with a stable internet connection

If offline, GPS data is stored on the device and uploaded once reconnected.
GPS data is only collected between clock-in and clock-out; break-time location is hidden for privacy

The screen on the left shows the setup flow on Android, and the screen on the right shows the flow on iPhone. Both guide users to enable Precise and Always Location for accurate time tracking.


2. GPS Tracking vs. Geofence Tracking (Standard & Polygon)

Most time tracking apps rely heavily on circular geofences—basic radius zones that trigger when someone enters or exits a general area. But these come with limitations. If the job site is oddly shaped, spread out, or not set up in advance, tracking becomes unreliable.

Others rely on GPS breadcrumb trails, which show vague location dots without exact addresses or time spent, making it hard to verify worksite presence.

Workyard does it differently.

We combine precise GPS tracking with both standard circular geofences and advanced polygon geofences for the most accurate, automated tracking possible.

GPS Tracking (Core Functionality)

  • Captures real-time location, exact addresses, entry/exit times, and driving routes

  • Does not rely on geofences to function

  • Automatically updates every 5 minutes while clocked in

  • Stores offline GPS data and uploads it once reconnected


Mileage Tracking

Once a team member clocks in, Workyard automatically tracks:

  • Miles driven

  • Travel time between stops

  • Auto-assignment of mileage & travel time to the geofenced project the team member arrives at


Using the Data

With GPS and geofencing working together, you can:

  • Reimburse team members for mileage fairly

  • Generate expense and job cost reports

  • Improve route planning to reduce non-billable travel

  • Evaluate team efficiency based on work vs. travel time


💬 Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help!
📧 Email: help@workyard.com
💬 Or message us using the Help icon in the web app

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