How to install StaffCounter PRO on Android: step-by-step guide

How to prepare your phone for the StaffCounter PRO installation

  1. Temporarily disable antivirus protection, as any monitoring app may be flagged as spyware;
  2. On Android 5 and 6, go to Device Settings → Security → Unknown Sources (allow installation of apps from outside the Play Store);
  3. Uninstall other monitoring applications, including the free version of the StaffCounter agent, as it is incompatible with StaffCounter PRO;
  4. Uninstall Helper Service and Support Android if previously installed;
  5. Disable Play Store Protection — Learn how to do it >>;
  6. Go to the Download page and download StaffCounter PRO for Android;
  7. Install PRO_agent.apk.

First launch of the StaffCounter PRO application 1.6.179 on Android 5.1 and newer

  1. Open the phone’s Settings, go to Accessibility. Find System Android and activate it.

Android Accessibility settings menu showing various services 
Locating the System Android service in the Accessibility apps list 
Enabling the toggle switch for the System Android service 
System warning dialog about granting full control to System Android 
The System Android service is now successfully turned on

2. Tap Settings, then Activate the application. Grant access to all required resources for the System Android app;

Tapping the Activate application button in the StaffCounter setup 
The application requesting permissions for files and device resources  

Note: If Accessibility is not allowed for this app, do the following:

 

  • Open Settings → Applications → System Android → Menu → Allow restricted settings. Confirm with your password or fingerprint.
  • Go to Settings → Accessibility. Turn on System Android.
  • Repeat steps 1–2.

3. Now grant access to all necessary phone resources.

Android system permission request to manage phone calls and contacts

4. Then, tap all the buttons from top to bottom to configure and connect the app to your account.

Main configuration screen of StaffCounter PRO with a vertical list of setup buttons

5. Tap Allow usage data access; tap System Android; enable Allow usage tracking.

Selecting System Android in the Usage Data Access settings list 
Turning on the toggle switch for usage tracking in System Android

6. Go back and tap Allow Administration access; tap Activate.

Activating the device admin app permission for System Android

7. Tap the Test Screenshot button. Set your phone not to ask again, then tap Start.

Android screen recording permission prompt with Don't show again checked

8. Tap the Callback setup button. Enter any phone number and tap Test call. Select the Phone app and tap Always.

Callback setup screen with phone number input field 
Setting the default Phone app for the callback feature

9. Go back and tap Install Support Android; tap Install.
10. Go back and tap Activate Support Android and System Android; enable both Support Android and System Android.

Enabling the Support Android service in Accessibility settings

Note: If Accessibility is not allowed for Support Android, do the following:

  • Open Settings → Applications → System Android → Menu → Allow restricted settings. Confirm with password or fingerprint.
  • Go to Settings → Accessibility → Support Android and turn it on.

11. Go back and tap Allow System Android over other apps.

Enabling the permission to draw over other applications for System Android

  • Repeat the same step for Support Android.

12. Tap Allow ignore battery optimizations for System Android.

Opening the Battery Optimization settings to exclude System Android

  • Repeat the same for Support Android.

Allowing the app to always run in the background without battery limits

13. Go back and tap Notification Access. Allow the Android System app to access notifications.

Enabling notification access for the Android System application

14. Go back and tap Connect to Server.

  • Tap Select Server to upload. Choose data.staffcounter.net. Tap Your account. Enter the email address you used to register on staffcounter.net.

Connecting the app to your online account and selecting the server

15. Go back and tap Prevent to launch this activity.

Final step to hide the configuration activity and complete setup

16. Delete the installation packages if no longer needed.