How to enable facial validation on the mobile app

Facial validation in the Day.io mobile app adds a layer of security by verifying the employee’s identity at the moment they clock in or out.

The feature prevents buddy‑punching and builds trust in your time‑tracking data.

Administrators and supervisors can enable this option so that each punch taken through the app prompts for a quick selfie.

Key actions or configuration

1. Open settings and enable the App device:

   • From the side menu, select Attendance → Punch log.

   • Click the Settings gear to open the Device settings modal.

   • Under “Allow employees to punch using”, click the App card so that mobile punching is permitted.

   • Leave Tablet and Web enabled or disabled as required by your company policy.
     
     

2. Enable facial validation on the mobile app:

   • With the App selected, check Enable facial validation on mobile app in the advanced settings section.

   • Review other options such as Allow only retroactive punches, Allow to clear punches and Allow to clock in/out from any location—they are unrelated to facial validation.

   • Click Save. The app will now request a selfie whenever an employee records a punch.
     
     

3. View photos and check biometric templates:

   • To see the pictures captured with each punch, click the column‑selector icon in Punch log and enable Photo. Filter by employee and date to display images next to each record.

   • To verify which employees have a biometric template on file, go to People, open the column selector and enable Biometric Template. An icon indicates who has registered a facial template, while blank entries show employees without biometrics.
     
     

How to register your first facial record in the app

Facial registration is completed directly in the app during the first attempt to record a punch. You do not need to access the Kiosk or complete the registration in advance on another screen.

To register:

1. On the app's home screen, tap Clock Now;
2. When the message informing you that facial registration is required appears, tap Register;
3. Position your face in the center of the screen;
4. Follow the instructions displayed in the app;
5. Review the captured photo;
6. Tap OK to use it or Retake to take another photo;
7. Wait for the upload and registration to be completed;
8. Check the time and location;
9. Select the other information requested for the punch;
10. Tap Submit.

The first photo will be used as the reference for future facial validations performed through the app.

Important: use your usual appearance during registration. If you regularly wear glasses, take the photo while wearing them. Avoid masks, accessories that cover your face, or other people close to the camera.

How to record a punch after facial registration

After the first photo has been registered, follow the normal punch process:

1. Open the app;
2. Tap Clock Now;
3. Position your face for facial validation;
4. Wait for recognition;
5. Check the time and location;
6. Select the punch type and the other information displayed;
7. Tap Submit.

You will not need to repeat the initial registration for every punch. The app will use the registered photo as the reference to validate the face shown when recording the punch.

Tips and troubleshooting

• Update the app: facial validation only works with the latest version of the app. Ask employees to update it through the App Store or Google Play.
• Front-facing camera required: devices without a front-facing camera cannot use facial recognition. In these cases, use the Kiosk tablet or computer.
• Biometrics not registered: if the Biometrics column indicates that an employee does not have a registration, instruct them to complete facial registration when recording their first punch or ask HR to register it in their profile.

Best practices

• Inform employees. Explain that facial recognition is used to help verify authenticity and does not replace other controls.
• Test with a pilot group. Enable facial validation for a small team and check photo quality under different lighting conditions before expanding it to the entire company.
• Keep devices clean and updated. Dirty lenses and outdated apps can affect image capture.
• Complete the first registration in a well-lit environment.
• Keep your face fully visible.
• Hold the phone at face level and use your usual appearance.
• Make sure the photo is clear before tapping OK.
• Check the location, time, and punch type before tapping Submit.

Frequently asked questions

• What changes when facial recognition is enabled? The app will request a photo of the employee's face for each punch. The images are available under the Punches tab and can be used for auditing.
• Do I also need to enable facial recognition on the tablet? No. The tablet has a separate Enable facial biometrics option; select it when using Kiosks.
• How do I disable the feature? Go back to Punch settings, clear Enable facial validation on mobile app, and save. The app will stop requesting the photo.
• Can employees without a front-facing camera record punches? Yes, but they must use another allowed device, such as a Kiosk tablet or the web.
• Do I need to register my face before using the app? No. Registration will be requested automatically the first time you tap Clock Now.
• What happens after my face is recognized? Check the time, location, punch type, and other information displayed. Then tap Submit.