TL;DR
The app records two separate data points for every attempt: the Time of Service (when the attempt happened) and a GPS location (where the attempt happened). Time of Service is pre-filled automatically and rarely needs your input. Location works a bit differently — read below to understand how Time of Service is selected and how to make sure it's accurate, especially if you're recording an attempt after the fact.
Where You'll See Time of Service
A Time of Service question appears at the bottom of the Details step when recording an attempt, just above the additional photos picker. It's a required field, but it's already filled in for you — you don't need to enter anything unless the time is wrong.
Where the Time Comes From
A line under the question explains how the time was set, and it updates automatically as you fill in the attempt:
"Automatically set using your photo's timestamp." — The app uses the time your photo was taken, which is typically the most accurate record of when you were at the address.
"Automatically set using the time you started entering this attempt." — Used when there are no photos to read a time from.
Once you manually change the time, the line updates to reflect that it was edited by you.
Important: Only photos taken on the same day as the Time of Service are used to set the time automatically. A photo from a different day will not be used, even if it's attached to the attempt.
Editing the Time
If the time shown isn't correct, tap the date and time to open the date picker:
On iOS: Opens as a pop-up with Cancel and Confirm options.
On Android: The date is selected first, followed by the time.
Two limits apply to any time you set:
It cannot be in the future.
It cannot be more than 30 days in the past.
Once you manually set a time, it's locked in — adding more photos to the attempt afterward will not overwrite your entry.
When an Explanation Is Required
If the time of service is more than 30 minutes before the attempt is actually submitted, you'll be asked for a short explanation.
This field appears directly below the Time of Service question — never as a pop-up or separate screen.
The attempt cannot be submitted until this field is filled in.
Your explanation is limited to 255 characters.
This explanation is visible only to Proof's internal team — it is not shared with the law firm or client.
If you go back and correct the time to within 30 minutes of submission, the explanation field disappears, and the details you entered are not saved.
How GPS Location Works
Time of Service and GPS location are determined separately. The app selects your attempt's location from up to three sources:
Your phone's location when you open the attempt — captured automatically in the background.
Refresh GPS — a manual location reading you can trigger from the final screen.
A verification or posting photo's embedded GPS — only used when the photo was taken on the same day as the recorded Time of Service.
The app selects whichever eligible reading is closest to the service address.
Tips for Accurate Documentation
If you're recording an attempt after the fact — for example, logging it later in the day or on a different day than it occurred — keep the following in mind:
Use the in-app camera whenever possible, especially on Android devices. Photos taken directly through the Proof camera reliably carry accurate location data. Photos imported from your gallery or another app — particularly on Android — may not carry location metadata, even if the photo itself is otherwise usable.
If a photo doesn't carry location data and your Time of Service is back-dated, the app may fall back to your phone's current location. If you're no longer at the service address when you submit, this can make it look like the attempt happened somewhere other than where it actually did.
To avoid this, try to start the attempt while you're still on-site, or use Refresh GPS while you're at the address, rather than relying solely on an imported photo to establish location.
Reviewing Submitted Attempts
Tapping a submitted attempt in the Attempts tab shows more than just the result, name, date, and address — it also displays the full checklist answers and physical description you recorded for that attempt.
Questions with multiple selections show each option you selected.
Questions answered more than once (for example, multiple vehicles observed) appear as separate cards, one per answer.
Unsuccessful attempts won't show a physical description, since that field isn't completed on those attempts.
Your time of service explanation (if one was required) is not shown here — it's for internal use only.
Copying an Attempt to Other Jobs
If you copy an attempt to other jobs at the same address, each copy keeps the original time of service — not the time the copy was created.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out the Time of Service field myself?
No, not usually. It's pre-filled automatically based on your photo's timestamp or the time you started the attempt. You only need to make changes if the time shown is inaccurate.
Why does the app use my photo's timestamp instead of when I submit the attempt?
Your photo's timestamp is typically the closest and most accurate record of when you were actually at the address, especially if you log the attempt later.
Can I set a time in the future?
No. The time of service cannot be set to a future date or time.
How far back can I set the time?
Up to 30 days in the past. Times older than that are not accepted.
What happens if I submit my attempt a while after I actually completed it?
If the time of service is more than 30 minutes before you submit, you'll be prompted for a brief explanation. This helps our internal team understand submission gaps — it's not visible to clients or law firms.
Does my phone's location have to match my Time of Service?
No — your phone's location (from opening the attempt or using Refresh GPS) is not checked against your Time of Service. Only photo GPS is matched to the same day as your Time of Service. This is why using the in-app camera and refreshing your GPS while on-site matters for accuracy, especially on back-dated attempts.
Will adding more photos after I've manually set a time change it?
No. Once you manually set the time, it stays locked in regardless of additional photos added afterward.
Can I see my explanation after I submit?
No. The Time of Service explanation is for Proof's internal use only and won't appear in your submitted attempt details.
If you have questions or experience any issues, please reach out to our support team at wecanhelp@proofserve.com or through the support chat in the app.