Mobile collection

CensusIO speaks OpenRosa, the protocol that ODK Collect uses, so your field team collects directly into CensusIO, with no Kobo or ODK Central in the middle. An admin sets up a field worker as a collector, the collector connects, downloads their forms, collects offline, and sends the records in. Each one lands as a record and goes through review like any other.

There are two ways to collect, both from the same one setup code:

• The CensusIO app (mobile and desktop) is the fuller experience: it works offline, syncs both ways so edits and conflicts flow back, validates as you go, hides fields that a skip rule turns off, and captures photos. It is on the App Store (iPhone and iPad), Google Play (Android), and the Microsoft Store (desktop).
• ODK Collect (Android) works now and needs no CensusIO account. It downloads the forms, collects offline, and sends finalized forms in.

Both read the same setup code, so a collector set up once works with either, no re-inviting anyone.

iPhone and the app

ODK Collect is Android only. The CensusIO app covers iPhone and iPad too, on the App Store. An iPhone user who has a CensusIO account can also enter data in any browser, with the same forms and validation.

What you can do here

The CensusIO app The first-party app: offline capture, two-way sync, photos, and on-device conflict review.

Add collectors Set up a field worker and choose which forms they collect.

Collector setup What the field worker does to connect the app or ODK Collect.

Using ODK Collect Download forms, collect offline, and send them in.

Submissions What happens to a record once it is sent.

Data collectors are available on every plan, with a per-tier cap: 3 on Free, 15 on Watershed, and unlimited on Professional and above. Members who collect offline use their member seat, not a collector slot.

Collect offline yourself

You do not have to be an external collector to work offline. On the Field collection page, any member (not a viewer) can choose Set up offline collection to generate a personal link, then open it on their phone to scan the ODK Collect setup code. Records you collect are attributed to you, and this uses your member seat rather than a collector slot. Regenerating rotates your link; the old one stops working.