Activis

Setting up Activis on your Android phone

Activis is distributed through a private Google Play test, so you will not find it by searching the Play Store. You need the invitation link we have sent you. Setup takes just a few minutes.

Before you start, have these to hand

The invitation link we have sent you.

Your enrolment QR code, which is in a separate email. You will need to display it on a second screen, such as a computer or another phone, because your phone camera cannot scan a code shown on its own display. Printing it also works.

Your Polar Loop, charged.

1Open your invitation link

Open the link we sent you, on the phone you will be using for the study. Tap Become a tester, then Accept.

Access is tied to the Google account signed in on your phone, which you gave to your study administrator. To check which account that is, open the Play Store and tap your profile picture in the top right. If it does not match, tell your study administrator rather than trying to work around it.

The opt-in page in the browser

2Install Activis

Tap Download test app. Activis opens in the Play Store. Tap Install.

The Play Store will show the app as io.activis.app (unreviewed), with a plain grey icon and a warning that the build has not been verified. This is normal for a private study release and is how Google labels apps that are not published publicly. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen as Activis.

If the Play Store says the app is not available, wait ten minutes and try the link again. Access can take a short while to reach your account.

Activis in the Play Store with the Install button

3Scan your QR code

Open Activis. On the welcome screen, tap Scan QR code, and allow camera access when asked.

Display your enrolment QR code on a second screen and point your phone camera at it. The app will confirm enrolment and move on.

If you do not have a second screen available, contact your study administrator before continuing.

The Activis welcome screen with the Scan QR code button

4Allow Bluetooth

Activis now walks you through four permissions, and shows which are still outstanding as you go.

Tap Next, then Allow when asked whether Activis can find and connect to nearby devices. Without this the app cannot connect to your Polar Loop.

The nearby devices permission prompt

5Allow notifications

Tap Next, then Allow. Notifications are how the app sends your daily questionnaire reminders and tells you if something needs your attention.

The setup screen with Bluetooth allowed and notifications outstanding

6Allow background operation

Tap Next, then allow when asked. This lets recording continue while your phone is asleep or locked. Without it, data collection stops whenever you are not using the app.

On Samsung phones there is a second setting worth checking. Open Settings, then Battery, then Background usage limits, and make sure Activis is not listed under Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps. If it is, remove it.

The setup screen asking to allow background activity

7Pair your Polar Loop

Make sure your Loop is charged and next to your phone. Tap Next, and Activis will search for nearby Polar devices.

Tap your Loop in the list. If more than one is shown, choose the one matching the ID on your own device. If you are not sure which is yours, contact your study administrator rather than guessing.

Activis searching for and listing nearby Polar devices

8Everyday use

Setup is complete. The main screen shows your Loop as connected, along with its battery level and when it last synced.

Keep Bluetooth switched on. Activis needs it to stay connected to your Loop.

Updates to Activis arrive automatically through the Play Store. You do not need to do anything.

The Activis main screen showing the Loop connected

If something goes wrong

The link says the app is not available
Check that the Google account signed in on your phone matches the address you gave your study administrator. Open the Play Store and tap your profile picture to see it. If it is correct, wait ten minutes and try again.
The app says the enrolment code is not valid
Check you are scanning the QR code sent to you personally, and that it is displayed clearly and in focus.
The Polar Loop will not connect
Check it is charged, switch Bluetooth off and on again, then close and reopen Activis. If it still will not connect, contact your study administrator.
Data stops arriving overnight
Open Settings, then Apps, then Activis, then Battery, and set it to Unrestricted. On Samsung phones also check Sleeping apps as described in step 6.
You declined a permission by accident
Open Settings, then Apps, then Activis, then Permissions, and turn it back on.
Anything else
Please contact your study administrator.