---
title: "Using the Camera in the Mobile App: Capture, Tag, and Upload from the Field"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/using-the-camera-in-the-mobile-app-capture-tag-and-upload-from-the-field"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-06-08T20:02:51.070Z"
---

# Using the Camera in the Mobile App: Capture, Tag, and Upload from the Field

## **📷 Using the Camera in the Mobile App: Capture, Tag, and Upload from the Field**  
 

### 🧭 **Introduction**

The **Camera icon** in the Ontraccr mobile app provides a fast, flexible way to capture job site photos, annotate them, and upload them to the correct place — all without leaving the app.

This guide covers everything from snapping a picture to storing it on the right project or board card, including how to do it **offline**.

* * *

## 📍 Where to Find the Camera

The camera is accessed via the **bottom nav bar** — it’s the **center icon (camera inside a circle)**.

* * *

## **📸 Taking Photos/Scanning QR Codes**

1.  Tap the **Camera icon** from the nav bar
2.  Use the camera to:
    -   Take live photos
    -   Zoom in/out
    -   Access your photo **gallery** to upload existing images
    -   Scan Equipment QR Codes

💡 Tip: You can take multiple photos in a row — they’ll be grouped together before upload.

* * *

## **✏️ Marking Up Your Photos**

After capturing a photo:

-   Use built-in tools to **annotate**:
    -   Drawings, arrows, highlights
    -   Text (with color selection)
-   Tap **Done** when finished

This is useful for:

-   Pointing out defects
-   Highlighting safety concerns
-   Documenting progress visually

* * *

## **🏷️ Adding Metadata & Descriptions**

Before uploading, you can:

-   Add a **shared description** that applies to all selected images
-   Add **individual notes** per image (optional)
-   Rename each photo by tapping its filename

📌 These notes and names become part of the file’s metadata in Ontraccr’s system.

* * *

## **📂 Choosing Where to Save Photos**

After editing, you’ll be prompted to select a **destination**:

| Destination Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| 📁 General Attachments | Stored in your file storage root directory |
| 🏗️ Project | Saved directly to the project’s folders |
| 🧾 Board Card | Linked to a specific board card and attachment field |
| 📄 File Path | Manually select a folder path in your storage system |

### To Save:

1.  Tap the link next to “Destination”
2.  Choose one of the options above
3.  Tap **Upload**

✅ The app remembers your last-used destination to speed things up

* * *

## **📴 Offline Upload Support**

If you’re **offline** or in a low-signal area:

-   The red bar across the top of the app will appear
-   You can still take, tag, and assign photos to jobs or cards
-   Photos are saved locally and will **auto-upload** once signal returns

* * *

## ✅ **Outcome**

With the mobile camera tool, users can:

-   Quickly document job site conditions
-   Annotate and label images for clarity
-   Upload photos directly to the right place (even offline)
-   Enhance field reporting and job progress tracking