Background-audio: can recording be scoped to specific question groups, and how does it behave on save-as-draft, screen lock, and device power-off?

Support
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1. What is the issue? Please be detailed.

Two related questions about background-audio.

First, scope: is it possible to record only certain sections of a form rather than the entire session? For example, record only the module containing sensitive or open-ended questions, and not the rest. If background-audio cannot be started and stopped mid-form, is there a supported pattern for section-level recording?

Second, interruptions. What happens to the recording in each of these cases?

  • the enumerator saves the form as a draft and reopens it later to continue
  • the phone screen locks accidentally and is unlocked a few seconds later
  • the tablet powers off completely and is switched on again mid-interview

For each: is the audio interrupted, restarted from the beginning, appended to, or lost?

2. What steps can we take to reproduce this issue?

Add a row type = background-audio, name = recording, parameters = quality=voice-only. Start a form, then (a) save as draft and reopen, (b) lock and unlock the screen, (c) power the device off and on. Finalize and inspect the attached audio file in each case.

Or if there is any other way to fix what I am askinf for

3. What have you tried to fix the issue?

4. Upload any forms or screenshots you can share publicly below.

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Hi @Ricard_Hoxha

Unfortunately, it is not possible. background-audio records the whole form-filling session into a single file and cannot be started and stopped mid-form.

  • Save as draft and reopen: recording resumes and the new audio is appended - the submitted file contains every session.
  • Screen lock: recording continues, as it does if the enumerator switches to another app.
  • Power off: audio from earlier sessions is already in the attached file and is safe, but whatever was recorded since the form was last opened is not.
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Thanx for your answer!