BioCollect PWA app

Modified on: Wed, 15 Jul, 2026 at 5:16 PM

Getting started

The primary use of the BioCollect PWA is to help project members collect field observations using standard data collection forms called ‘surveys’. You can contribute to any public project or be invited to contribute to private projects. It allows data collection from a desktop or mobile device (phone/tablet) in both online and offline modes.

To use the BioCollect PWA, you must have a registered Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) account, which can be created here.

The app is made with Progressive Web App (PWA) technology. PWA apps work with technologies shipped with modern web browsers such as Safari, Firefox, Chrome etc. It is not hosted on App Store or Play Store.

It can be downloaded by simply visiting https://biocollect.ala.org.au/mobile-app and following the installation instructions.

Installation

The install button will directly install the PWA if you’re on a supported browser. If not, the app will provide instructions for installation, whether that be through your current browser, or by suggesting another browser.

On desktop:

Chromium (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera)
- Supports installing PWAs on all supported desktop operating systems.
Safari
- Supports Add to Dock (File > Add to Dock...) on macOS Sonoma (Safari 17) and later for any web app
Firefox
- Does not support installing PWAs

On mobile:

Android
- Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Samsung Internet Browser all support installing PWAs
iOS
- iOS 16.3 and earlier, PWAs can only be installed with Safari.
- iOS 16.4 and later, PWAs can be installed from the Share menu in Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Orion.

Accessing BioControl projects

After installing the application, sign in using your ALA account:

After signing in, you will be prompted with the following instructions.

Hub switching

You can switch your current hub (for example, to the Biocontrol Hub) with the following steps:

1. Click the ‘Switch hub’ button on the top of your screen, to the right of your name.

2. Select your desired hub from the list of options
3. The project list will be updated with selected hub’s projects – they can be further refined by using the search / sort by options.Project pages

You can create and edit records either from the home screen, or a specific project page. To navigate to a project page, click the ‘View Project’ button for a project card on the home screen.

This will navigate to a page which provides information about the project in greater depth.

Downloading data collection forms (surveys)

Download process

Data collection templates (surveys) can be accessed in the field without an internet connection. However, in order to facilitate this, they need to be first downloaded locally onto your device over a secure network connection for later use.

Click the ‘Download’ button for the survey you wish to use offline, which will open the download window, and guide you through the download process.

When completed, press the ‘Confirm Download’ button at the bottom. When a survey has been downloaded, it will be indicated with a check icon.

You may re-download the survey again later (i.e. if a newer version is available, or different sites require downloading).

Offline mode

When the application is offline, it will be indicated by the icon on the top-left hand corner of the navigation bar (see below), and only downloaded surveys will be available.
Creating and publishing field observations (records)

Creating records

Click the ‘+ Add’ button on a survey; this will open the data collection form (survey) ready for entering a field observation (record).

Saving records

As you record the field observation, your data will be saved automatically. The ‘Save changes’ button at the bottom of the form allows you to manually save data as you go. You can also see when the data was last saved underneath the submit/save options.

TIP: If you’re not sure what a field on the data collection form means, or need further clarification, hover over the ‘?’ icon for field guidance.

Editing incomplete records

You can return to an incomplete record later at any time. Press the ‘Cancel’ button, or ‘x’ button in the top-right hand corner of the dialog and click ‘close’. When the survey dialog closes, your incomplete records will be shown as ‘Unpublished’ on the side drawer, where you can view, edit or delete them at any time.

When closing the side drawer, or re-opening the PWA later, any projects or surveys with unpublished records will be indicated by a numbered brow icon. Clicking ‘Records’ will re-open the side drawer, where you can access and edit your unpublished records.

TIP: Incomplete unpublished records are stored locally, so you can only access and complete them on the same device where you saved them initially.

Publishing complete records

Once a record is complete, you can publish it either directly from the data collection form (via the ‘Submit’ button) or upload it via the ‘Upload’ button on the side drawer. Both options require the record to be validated before uploading. Clicking the ‘Submit’ in the form button will be highlight any errors that require fixing before it can be submitted:
TIP: Most data collection forms (surveys) contain compulsory fields; these are marked by a red asterisk; you cannot submit a record with compulsory fields incomplete. The ‘upload’ button in the side drawer will be disabled for such records.

The Submit button will be disabled if you are offline.

If the record is valid, and you have a network connection, the record will be published. Upon completion you will be redirected to ‘Published’ tab, where you can view all ‘Project records’, as well as edit or delete any records that you contributed.