iOS App Guide
The EventKarma Check-In iOS app delivers native performance for your most demanding events. Everything you love about the PWA, with the speed and reliability of a native app.
Why Use the iOS App?
| Feature | PWA | iOS App |
|---|---|---|
| QR Scanning | Good | Faster (native AVFoundation) |
| Offline Mode | Works | More reliable (Core Data) |
| Haptic Feedback | Basic | Rich patterns |
| Battery Usage | Moderate | Optimized |
| Live Activity | No | Yes (Lock Screen counter) |
| Voice Notes | No | Yes (attach audio to scans) |
| VIP Alerts | No | Yes (special notifications) |
Bottom line: Use the PWA for quick setups and Android users. Use the iOS app when you need the best possible performance.
Getting the App
TestFlight (Beta)
- Ask your Event Karma admin for a TestFlight invite
- Open the email on your iPhone
- Tap "Start Testing" and install
App Store (Coming Soon)
Search "EventKarma Check-In" and download. Free for all Event Karma customers.
First-Time Setup
1. Select Your Event
When you open the app, you'll see two options:
- Scan Event QR - Point at a setup QR from your admin portal
- Browse Events - Choose from available events
Your selection persists until you change it.
2. Authenticate as Staff
Your event admin will provide one of these:
- Access Code - 6-digit code, enter it on the login screen
- Email/Password - If your org uses full authentication
Staff roles determine what you can access:
- Scanner: Check-in and lookup
- Supervisor: Scanner + view stats
- Admin: Full access
3. Choose Your Mode
Same modes as the PWA, same great experience:
| Mode | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Scanner | Point-and-scan for roving staff |
| Kiosk | Self-service on mounted tablets |
| Lookup | Search and manual check-in |
| Entry Survey | Standalone entry kiosk |
| Exit Survey | Post-event feedback station |
Scanner Mode (Deep Dive)
The iOS app scanner is optimized for speed. Here's what's different:
Faster Recognition
The native AVFoundation framework reads QR codes faster than web-based libraries. In testing:
- Web PWA: ~800ms average
- iOS App: ~200ms average
That 600ms difference adds up over hundreds of scans.
Rich Haptic Feedback
| Event | What You Feel |
|---|---|
| Success | Strong tap - satisfying confirmation |
| Duplicate | Double light tap - "already got it" |
| Error | Long buzz - something's wrong |
| VIP | Triple escalating tap - pay attention! |
Instant Survey Toggle
New feature! Control whether attendees see a quick survey after check-in.
To toggle:
- Tap the gear icon (Setup)
- Find "Check-in Options"
- Toggle "Instant Survey" on or off
When ON: After a successful scan, attendees see a quick question (configured in your admin portal). Great for capturing real-time feedback.
When OFF: Scans go straight through with no interruption. Best for high-volume lines where speed matters most.
Start with survey ON during slow periods to capture data. Turn it OFF when lines get long. Your event, your call.
Kiosk Mode (iPad)
iPad-Specific Setup
- Select "Kiosk" mode
- Enable Guided Access:
- Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > On
- Triple-click side button to start
- Position iPad facing attendees
Attendee Experience
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Scan Your Event Pass │
│ │
│ ┌───────────────────┐ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ Camera View │ │
│ │ │ │
│ └───────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ Hold your QR code to camera │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
↓ After scan ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ ✓ Welcome! │
│ │
│ Sarah Chen │
│ Acme Corporation │
│ │
│ You're all checked in │
│ │
│ Resetting in 5... │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
Auto-resets after 5 seconds, ready for the next person.
Live Activity (iOS 16.1+)
See check-in progress without unlocking your phone.
When enabled, a Live Activity appears on your Lock Screen showing:
- Current check-in count
- Event name
- Last scan timestamp
Enable Live Activity
- Go to Setup (gear icon)
- Scroll to "Live Activity"
- Toggle ON
Live Activity isn't available on iPad. Use the in-app stats view instead.
Voice Notes
Capture conversation details hands-free.
After scanning someone, you can record a voice note:
- Tap the microphone icon on the attendee card
- Record up to 30 seconds
- Tap Done
The audio file attaches to the Campaign Member in Salesforce. Your SDRs can listen during follow-up.
When to Use Voice Notes
- Quick observations: "Really interested in enterprise features"
- Action items: "Needs demo with technical team"
- Context: "Met at the VIP dinner, CEO is the decision maker"
Brief your staff: "If you learn something valuable, record a 10-second voice note. It's faster than typing and SDRs love hearing the context."
VIP Alerts
Never miss a high-priority attendee.
When a VIP scans their badge, the iOS app gives you:
- Full-screen alert with their name and custom message
- Special haptic pattern (triple escalating tap)
- VIP badge on their attendee card
Configure VIP List
VIP alerts are configured in your Event Karma admin portal:
- Go to Events > Your Event > Settings
- Find "VIP Attendees"
- Add emails of attendees who should trigger alerts
- Add optional alert messages per VIP
Offline Mode
The iOS app uses Core Data for reliable offline storage.
What Happens Offline
- Orange "Offline" banner appears
- Scans queue locally (up to 500)
- Haptic feedback still works
- Attendee info displays from cache when available
When You Reconnect
- Auto-sync begins immediately
- Queued scans process in order
- Badge counter updates as scans sync
- Toast notification when complete
Force Sync
Don't want to wait? In Setup:
- Scroll to "Data Sync"
- See pending count
- Tap "Sync Now"
Settings Overview
Access via the gear icon or "Setup" mode.
Check-in Options
- Instant Survey: Toggle quick post-scan surveys
Event Info
- Current Event: Name and ID
- Change Event: Switch to a different event
Data Sync
- Pending Sync: Queued scan count
- Last Sync: Most recent sync timestamp
- Sync Now: Force immediate sync
Device Info
- Device ID: Unique identifier for audit
- iOS Version: System info
- App Version: Current app build
Connection
- Network Status: Online/Offline indicator
- API: Backend endpoint
Troubleshooting
Camera won't start
- Check Settings > EventKarma Check-In > Camera (allow access)
- Close and reopen the app
- Restart device if needed
"Token expired" error
- Go to Setup
- Re-authenticate as staff
- If it persists, ask admin for a new access code
Scans not syncing
- Check network status in Setup
- If pending scans exist, try "Sync Now"
- Verify event is still active in admin portal
VIP alert not appearing
- Confirm VIP is configured in admin portal
- Check that attendee email matches exactly
- Verify app notifications are enabled
Voice note won't record
- Check microphone permission in Settings
- Ensure device isn't in silent mode
- Try closing and reopening the app
iOS App vs PWA: Quick Decision Guide
Use the iOS App when:
- You need the fastest possible scanning
- You want VIP alerts and voice notes
- Offline reliability is critical
- Your staff all have iPhones/iPads
Use the PWA when:
- You need to support Android devices
- Staff are using personal phones (no app install)
- Quick setup without downloads
- Mixed device environment
Use both when:
- You have a large event with multiple stations
- Some staff prefer native, others prefer web
- You want a backup if one has issues
Download & Requirements
- App Store: Search "EventKarma Check-In"
- TestFlight: Request invite from your admin
- Requires: iOS 16.0 or later
- Devices: iPhone and iPad
Questions? Reach out to support@eventkarma.ai or tap Help in the app.