How do I set up the GPS Verification Method? – Day.io

The GPS verification method checks the mobile device’s location to confirm that the employee is within the registered area when clocking in. It is suited for outdoor locations.

In Day.io administrators configure GPS on the location record; the employee must enable location services on their phone and grant the app permission.

Key actions or configuration

Create or edit a location
- Navigate to Settings > Locations.
- Click + New Location to create a new location or select an existing one.
- Enter ID, Location name, and Address and save.
- When creating a new location, there may be a GPS Verification toggle; otherwise you can add the method later via the Verification tab.
Test the punch
- Instruct employees to enable GPS/location on their smartphones.
- When they clock in, the app will validate their position.
- Punches outside the area will be marked as pending and require supervisor approval.

What information appears in the punch details and when is the map displayed?

When opening the details of a punch recorded with GPS verification, you can view information such as:

The employee who recorded the punch;
The punch status, such as Approved, Declined, Pending, or Invalid;
The punch type, such as Entry or Exit;
The date and time;
The Location used;
The reason the punch was marked as Pending, when applicable;
The device used;
The address identified by GPS, when the real-time position was collected;
The record history, including when it was submitted and, when applicable, who approved it.

This information helps you verify where the employee was, which Location was used, and why the punch did or did not require approval.

When is the map displayed?

The map is displayed when the app collects the device's real-time position. This happens in the following scenarios:

When the employee records a punch outside the defined radius of a Location configured with GPS verification;
When the employee selects Current Location when recording a punch through the app (learn more in this article).

When the punch is recorded outside the allowed radius, the details may display the collected address, the device used, and a reason such as Location not allowed. The punch must be reviewed according to the rules configured by the company.

When is the map not displayed?

The map is not displayed when the employee records a punch within the defined radius of a Location configured with GPS verification.

In this scenario, the verification confirms that the device is within the allowed area. Because the employee recorded the punch at the expected location, the exact real-time position is not collected or displayed on the map.

Important: the absence of the map does not mean that GPS verification failed. It may indicate that the punch was successfully recorded within the configured radius for the Location.

Other actions available

Delete or replace method – Use the trash icon in the Status column to remove GPS and register another method. Only one method can exist per location at a time.
Update the address – Change the Address field if the reference is wrong; this shifts the validation area.
Filter punches by GPS – In Attendance > Punches, filter by Verification = GPS to review punches made outside the area.

Best practices

Use GPS for outdoor or client locations.
Encourage employees to clock in close to the official address to avoid pending punches.

Frequently asked questions

Can I adjust the validation radius?
There is currently no manual radius setting. The system applies a fixed range around the registered address. To adjust, update the address or delete and re‑add the GPS method.
Do I need to recreate the location to enable GPS?
No. Simply open the location’s Verification tab, remove any existing method and add GPS (Mobile).
Does GPS work without internet?
The app requires both GPS signal and data connectivity to send the location. Without connectivity, the punch may be marked as pending.