How to Get Started with Google Maps and PACO (on Android)

Install and sign in with Google Maps

Install Google Maps on your Android phone and sign in with your study email address ([email protected]). If you already use a Gmail account for Maps, you can add another  account. Copy and paste the email and password on the login screen:

Animated gif showing an email and password being copied and pasted into the login field in Google Maps

 

Next, update your Timeline settings in Google Maps. Go to the Maps Menu, and select Your Timeline. Click on the timeline menu, and choose Settings and Privacy. 

Animated gif showing navigation to Google Maps Timeline and Settings for Timeline

Make sure the following options are enabled: 

  • Web & App Activity;
  • Location;
  • Location History.

Animated gif showing location settings being enabled

Next, enable Google Location Accuracy on your phone:

  • Go to your phone’s Settings > Security & Location (this may also be under a tab simply called Location);
  • Click the Advanced tab;
  • Scroll down and select Google Location Accuracy;
  • Toggle the switch for Improve Location Accuracy to the on position.

(This setting may also be under Settings > Location)

 

Add your home and work locations. You can add another place you visit often if you don’t have a work location:

Animated gif showing how to save "my places" like home and work in Google Maps

Install and login with PACO

Install the PACO app on your Android phone and accept the app permissions. 

When you open the app, sign in with the Our Mobility email account (the account should show up automatically now that you’ve saved it as a user account).

This Thursday, November 14, you will receive an experiment invitation in PACO. 

  • Click “Join this Experiment.” 
  • Read the consent statement and click “I consent.”
  • You can edit what time of day you want to receive notifications from the PACO app.

Animation showing how to login to PACO and join the experiment

 

Check your Google Maps Timeline

For the first few days, we’ll be verifying that participants have their location settings enabled and that location history is being recorded. You’ll hear from the research team if something isn’t working.

Complete your travel diary for one week

You’ll receive an email when the travel diary begins and your PACO experiment invitation. After you join the experiment, you will receive daily PACO notifications. Please review these instructions for completing the travel diary and don’t forget to fill out the diary even if you didn’t take any trips. The process should take about 5 minutes a day.

Questions or support

Please contact Jessica Murray [email protected] or 214-454-6298 if you have questions or need technical support. Thank you for your participation!