| Guide

Field officer quick start

For field crews capturing data on a phone or tablet. Install the app, sign in, capture features offline, and let the data sync when you are back on Wi-Fi.

1. Install kField on Android

Your administrator will send you the kField APK file (or a download link). On your Android phone or tablet:

  1. Open the file from your downloads. Android may prompt you to allow installs from unknown sources. Accept the prompt.
  2. Tap Install. The app appears on your home screen as kField.
  3. Open kField. Grant Location and Camera permissions when asked.
Tip If your administrator publishes a new version, install the new APK on top of the old one. Your saved login and pending uploads are preserved.

2. Sign in to kFieldCloud

  1. Open the kField app.
  2. The first screen shows the kField pin logo and a sign-in form pointing at fdc.kfield.app. Don't change the URL.
  3. Enter the username and password your administrator gave you, then tap Sign In.
  4. Once logged in, you'll see Cloud Projects: a list of every project assigned to your account.

3. Open a project

Tap any project in the list and choose Synchronize. kField downloads everything you need to work offline: the map, the layers, and any reference attachments. You only need to do this once per project per device.

4. Capture a new feature

  1. Tap the + button (bottom-right of the map).
  2. Tap on the map where you want the feature, or use your current GPS location.
  3. Fill in the form. Required fields are marked. For a photo field, tap the camera icon, and kField opens its built-in camera (this is important so location data is embedded in the photo automatically).
  4. Tap the green checkmark to save.
Tip Make sure the map shows a sharp, filled blue dot for your current position before snapping a photo. That means GPS has a fix and the photo will be geotagged. A pulsing blue circle means GPS is still locating; wait a few seconds.

5. Sync your work to the cloud

  1. Open the project menu (top-left).
  2. Tap Synchronize.
  3. You'll see "Uploading deltas" (your new features) followed by "Uploading attachments" (your photos).
  4. When done, the GIS team can see your work in the desktop QGIS plugin.
Tip kField is offline-first. You can capture features all day without signal. They are saved locally. The next time you open the Synchronize action with internet available, everything pushes up.

Other guides