Get the DataDoc app
Thank you for consenting to take part. Three steps: save your code, know what to expect, download.
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Full install instructions
Sideloading an APK looks different from a normal Play Store install, and granting Usage Access takes more steps than you'd expect - here's exactly what to expect, screen by screen.
1. Save your code and read what to expect
On the study website's "Get the DataDoc app" page: copy your participant code somewhere safe, then read the 15-second "what to expect" box - Android will show a few security prompts during install, and they are all expected.
2. Tick the confirmation box and download
Scroll to step 3 on that page. Tick "I've saved my participant code…", then tap Download DataDoc.apk. The button stays greyed out until the box is ticked - that's deliberate, not a bug.
3. Play Protect blocks the app - tap Install anyway
Because DataDoc isn't on the Play Store, Google Play Protect shows "App blocked to protect your device". This is expected for every sideloaded app, not specific to DataDoc. Tap Install anyway, then OK.
4. First look at Usage Access
After install, Android's Usage Data Access list (Settings → Apps → Special app access → Usage access) will start showing DataDoc alongside other apps already on your phone - you don't need to do anything here yet.
5. Open the app and sign up
Open DataDoc and create an account: first name, last name, email, password, gender. Use the Log in tab instead if you've already signed up on this device before.
6. Enter your participant code
DataDoc asks for the code from step 1 (format DD-XXXXXX). This is what links your in-app data to your consent record without using your name.
7. Choose which services to connect
DataDoc asks to connect two things: Device (screen-time / app-usage tracking) and Health (fitness and wellness data). Tap Device first - Skip is available but the study needs both connected to work.
8. Tap "Connect Usage"
On the Device screen, tap Connect Usage. This is where Android's Usage Access permission screen opens - the orange box on this screen already warns you that the toggle may not turn on immediately (see the next steps).
9. DataDoc shows as "Not allowed"
Android opens its full Usage Access list (All / Allowed / Not allowed tabs). DataDoc shows as Not allowed here, same as every other freshly-installed sideloaded app.
10. Tapping the toggle does nothing yet
Tap DataDoc in that list to reach its dedicated "Permit access to app usage data" toggle. Tapping it at this point does not turn it on - Android is silently blocking it, which is the actual problem this whole flow exists to solve.
11. Android confirms it: "App was denied access"
A dialog explicitly says the app was denied access, "to protect your personal and financial info". This is Android's restricted settings protection for any app installed outside the Play Store - not a DataDoc-specific error.
12. Find DataDoc in Settings directly
Go to your phone's Settings and search "datad" (or browse Apps) to open DataDoc's own App info page - don't go back through Usage Access, go to the app's page directly.
13. Allow restricted settings
On DataDoc's App info page, tap the ⋮ menu (top-right) and choose "Allow restricted settings". Confirm with your PIN or fingerprint if asked. This is the one step that actually unblocks the permission.
14. Turn Usage Access on, then allow Health data
Go back into Usage Access → DataDoc and the toggle now turns on properly. Back in the app, tap Next, and when Android asks to allow DataDoc access to fitness and wellness data, tap Allow (or Allow all).
- Go to your phone's Settings → search "datad" → DataDoc
- Tap the ⋮ menu in the top-right corner
- Tap "Allow restricted settings"
- Confirm with your PIN or fingerprint
- Go back and turn on Usage Access as normal