If you or an employee can't clock in, this article helps you figure out why and points you to the right fix. Most clock-in issues fall into one of three categories: location/GPS problems, geo-fence restrictions, or general app issues.
Can't Clock In — Quick Checklist
Start here before diving deeper:
Is the mobile time clock enabled? Go to Settings → Time Tracking and confirm the Mobile time clock toggle is on.
Does the employee have a scheduled shift today? If unscheduled clock-ins are disabled, employees can only clock in for shifts on the schedule.
Is the employee already clocked in? They may have clocked in earlier without realizing it — check the Timesheets view.
Is the Teamsly app up to date? Outdated app versions can cause unexpected behavior. Check the App Store or Google Play for updates.
Has the employee tried restarting the app? Force-close and reopen Teamsly, then try again.
Blocked by Geo-Fence
If the employee sees a message saying they need to move inside the geo-fence, they're being blocked because Teamsly can't confirm they're at the correct location. This is usually a GPS accuracy issue, not a real location problem.
→ See How Geo-Fencing Works for Employees for common fixes including GPS refresh, Wi-Fi scanning, and manager override.
Location Permission Problems
If the employee sees a "Location Permissions Off" warning or is prompted to enable location but can't clock in:
→ Location Permissions Are Off — How to Fix It — step-by-step for iOS and Android.
GPS Not Working or Inaccurate
If location is enabled but GPS is slow, wrong, or not updating:
→ Setting Up Location Permissions on iOS — includes accuracy tips like enabling Wi-Fi, Precise Location, and keeping the app in the foreground
→ Setting Up Location Permissions on Android — includes Wi-Fi scanning, battery saver, and sleeping apps fixes
→ Troubleshooting GPS & Location Issues — full list of GPS problems and fixes
Location Stopped Updating Mid-Shift
If an employee was clocked in and their location pin stopped moving on the dashboard:
→ Why an Employee's Location Isn't Updating & How to Fix It — covers battery saver, background app refresh, force-close, and sleeping apps.
Clock-In Button Is Grayed Out
If the Clock In button is visible but not tappable:
If a job code is required — the Clock In button stays grayed out until a job code is selected. Choose a job code from the dropdown first.
If geo-fencing is enabled — the button stays grayed out until the employee is within the geo-fence. See the geo-fencing article above.
If location hasn't loaded yet — wait a moment for the map to get a GPS fix, then try again.
Clocking In an Employee Manually
If an employee can't clock in on their own and the issue can't be resolved immediately, managers can clock them in manually from the schedule on the web — open the shift, click the employee's name, and clock them in directly. This bypasses all mobile restrictions.
💡 If none of the above resolves the issue, click Book a Call in the top right of the app to get help from the Teamsly team directly.
Need help? Click Book a Call in the top right of the app to talk with the Teamsly team.