Frequently asked questions
Using the app
Section titled “Using the app”Where did the Dashboard go?
Section titled “Where did the Dashboard go?”The old main screen with a switch per survey type was replaced by the Survey tab. A survey is now one choice of what to record (“What should it survey?”) and where the data goes (“Where should the data go?”), with one Start survey button for all of it. The app has four tabs at the bottom: Survey, Signals, Map, and More. See Survey tab and Finding your way.
Settings is the gear on the Survey tab, or More > Settings.
Why is Start survey grayed out?
Section titled “Why is Start survey grayed out?”Start needs at least one record type and at least one destination that can take it. The bar above the button says what is missing:
- “Choose at least one thing to survey”: turn on a record type.
- “Turn on a place for the data to go”: turn on a destination.
- “Connect NS Analytics or turn on Log files to start”: NS Analytics is your only destination but this phone is not connected yet. Connect it, or turn on Log files.
- “None of the places that are on can take what this survey records”: for example Call records with only MQTT on (Call records only go to Log files).
- “Your organization turned off every destination”: on a managed phone; ask your administrator.
See Your first survey.
How do I stream data?
Section titled “How do I stream data?”Turn on MQTT stream or gRPC stream under “Where should the data go?” on the Survey tab, and tap the row to set up the broker or server. Both are also under More > Destinations. See MQTT and gRPC.
Does Network Survey work offline?
Section titled “Does Network Survey work offline?”Yes. Log files need no connection. NS Analytics, MQTT and gRPC streams to a server on the internet, Community database uploads, map tiles, tower data on the Map tab, and the manufacturer and PLMN lookups need one.
Files and data
Section titled “Files and data”Where are my files?
Section titled “Where are my files?”In Download/NetworkSurveyData/csv on the phone, with separate CSV files for each record type (Cellular gets one per technology: GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE, and NR) plus one for device status messages. More > Log files lists recent files, shares them, and opens the folder in a file manager. See Log files.
Why is there no GeoPackage option anymore?
Section titled “Why is there no GeoPackage option anymore?”Network Survey 2.0 writes CSV log files only; the GeoPackage format was removed. See Upgrading from 1.x for what this means for a setup that used it.
Is my data private?
Section titled “Is my data private?”Your records stay on the phone unless you turn on a destination that sends them somewhere: NS Analytics, an MQTT or gRPC stream, or the Community databases. Some features make their own requests, such as map tiles and the manufacturer lookup. See Privacy policy.
Can I delete my data?
Section titled “Can I delete my data?”- Log files: delete them from
Download/NetworkSurveyData/csvwith a file manager. - Survey points on the Map: Map settings > Clear survey points.
- NS Analytics: in your workspace.
- MQTT and gRPC: on your own server.
Managed phones
Section titled “Managed phones”Why does my MQTT row say Not set up on a managed phone?
Section titled “Why does my MQTT row say Not set up on a managed phone?”Either no broker is available yet, or the organization’s broker is incomplete. An organization broker only counts when the managed configuration has both a broker host and a client ID; with only a host, the phone has no organization broker, and the row reads Not set up unless you set up a broker of your own. Ask your administrator to check the configuration. See Managed configuration (MDM).
What does “Set by your organization” mean?
Section titled “What does “Set by your organization” mean?”Your organization chose that setting through its device management, so you cannot change it on the phone. Tap it for details, or open More > Organization settings to see everything your organization sets. See Managed configuration (MDM).
General
Section titled “General”Is Network Survey free?
Section titled “Is Network Survey free?”Yes. The Android app has no ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. NS Analytics, the optional web platform, has its own plans; see pricing.
Is Network Survey open source?
Section titled “Is Network Survey open source?”Yes, under the Apache 2.0 license:
What Android versions are supported?
Section titled “What Android versions are supported?”Android 8.0 and later. Some features need a newer version.
Which version should I install?
Section titled “Which version should I install?”- Google Play: most people.
- CDR build (F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid, GitHub): no Firebase, and Call records also include SMS and MMS events. See Build variants.
What can Network Survey detect?
Section titled “What can Network Survey detect?”Cellular (GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE, 5G NR), Wi-Fi (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz), Bluetooth (Classic and BLE), and GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC, and SBAS). 5G needs a 5G phone and 5G coverage.
What is an NS Scout?
Section titled “What is an NS Scout?”An optional ESP32 board that listens to Wi-Fi and sends what it hears to the app over Bluetooth. It can take over as the phone’s Wi-Fi radio, without Android’s scan limit and with more detail per access point, and adds Wi-Fi clients and raw frames. It hears 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz on ESP32-C5 boards, but not 6 GHz. See NS Scout on Android.
Does Network Survey support dual SIM?
Section titled “Does Network Survey support dual SIM?”Yes. Cellular records carry the SIM slot.
NS Analytics
Section titled “NS Analytics”What is NS Analytics?
Section titled “What is NS Analytics?”A web platform for Network Survey data: maps, charts, and team workspaces. It is optional; the app works on its own. See NS Analytics.
How do I connect to NS Analytics?
Section titled “How do I connect to NS Analytics?”Get a QR code from your workspace, then tap Connect on the NS Analytics row of the Survey tab (or More > NS Analytics) and scan it. See QR code registration.