Using the Camera to Capture and Upload Attachments
Oftentimes, you may need to take multiple photos at once at the job site to give as much context as needed to your team and customers. We are excited to create an improved camera on the mobile app that allows you to take multiple videos (when available) and photos at once. You'll also be able to add annotations (when available) to the photos that you capture before uploading them to the job.
Please Note:
The following features are in Beta and are not yet available on all accounts. These features are subject to change. This new functionality is available to early users at no additional cost, but pricing will change in the future.
To use the camera to capture and upload attachments:
Open a job and tap the 'Attachments +' button toward the bottom of the page.
Tap the camera icon in the top right corner, then select "Use camera" from the menu at the bottom of your screen.
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You'll now see the camera, where you have the option to capture photos or videos (when available).
If you choose to take a video, the camera will automatically stop recording at 1 minute. You will see a countdown timer to know how much time is left.
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After taking a photo or video, a preview will appear in the bottom left corner of the screen.
You can tap this preview to view all photos and videos you have captured but have not uploaded to the job yet.
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If you have access to photo annotations, you can tap on a photo you have taken and then annotate it using our annotation tools.
Tap 'Save' in the top right corner of the screen to save your annotations.
When you are finished capturing photos and videos and are ready to upload them to the job, tap 'Done' in the top left corner of the camera screen.
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Video Tutorial: Capture & Upload Attachments
Please Note: Photo annotations are not included in all plans.
Adding Annotations to Photos on Jobs & Estimates
Photo annotations enable Pros to effectively communicate with Field Techs, Admins, and customers. After taking a photo through the app, Pros can add drawings, shapes, text, and time stamps before uploading the image to a job or an estimate.
Please Note:
This feature is currently in Alpha testing and is not yet available for all users.
To add an annotation to a photo:
Open a job or an estimate in the HCP mobile app and tap the '+ Attachments' button at the bottom of the page.
Tap the camera icon in the top-right corner of the Attachments screen.
Select 'Take photo.'
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Capture the photo, then tap 'Use Photo' in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
You'll then be taken to the Edit screen, where you can add the following annotations:
Free draw editor (pencil icon)
Shape editor (shapes icon)
Text overlays (T icon)
Timestamp (clock icon)
Use the menu at the bottom of your screen for each option to further edit the annotations:
Drawing color and thickness
Shape and shape color
Text and background colors (for written text and timestamps)
Tap the 'Undo' icon to undo your last edit.
Tap the 'Clear all' icon to remove all annotations from the photo.
To save the annotations and upload the annotated photo to the job, tap 'Save & upload' in the top right corner of your screen.
Next, select the image size, and the annotated photo will be added to the job or estimate as an attachment.
Once added, you can view the annotated photo and attach it to an invoice for your customer.
Video Tutorial: Adding Photo Annotations
Video Attachments on Mobile
Photos are great, but they don’t always tell the whole story. That’s why we’re excited to introduce video uploads for jobs and estimates on mobile! Now you can capture and share the full picture—whether it’s a broken part, an unusual sound, or anything else that needs a little extra explanation.
You can upload videos under a minute long to any job or estimate, and if it's longer, our in-app trimmer makes it easy to trim it down.
Skip the long descriptions and let your videos do the talking!
Please Note:
The following features are in Beta and are not yet available on all accounts. These features are subject to change. This new functionality is available to early users at no additional cost, but pricing will change in the future.
Recording & Uploading Videos to Jobs & Estimates
Capturing and uploading videos directly from your mobile device is a powerful way to enhance documentation and communication.
In the following sections, we’ll walk you through the process of recording videos, trimming them when needed, and uploading them to a job or an estimate—all from within the app. Whether you’re showcasing a problem or explaining a solution, these steps will help you efficiently share important visual information with your team.
To record videos on a job or estimate from the HCP mobile app:
Open a job or estimate and tap the "Attachments +" button.
Then, tap the camera icon in the top right corner of your screen.
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Tap "Use camera" to record a new video, or tap "Select photos or videos" to upload a video from your camera library.
When recording a new video, tap the "Video" option on your camera and press the red shutter button to start recording.
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When you've finished recording your video, press the shutter button again, then tap "Use Video" to start uploading.
If you take a photo that is longer than one minute, we will prompt you to trim the video before we can upload it.
Trimming a Video
If you are uploading a video that is longer than one minute, we will prompt you to trim the video.
When prompted to trim your video, tap "Manage" next to the video file.
Then tap "Trim video" to confirm.
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Use the trimmer to select what part of the video you want to trim.
Remember that the highlighted section of the video is the section you'd like to keep. Anything outside of that will be removed.
When you've finished trimming the video, tap "Done" in the top right corner of your screen.
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Attaching Videos to Invoices & Estimates
After uploading a video to a job, you can share it with your customer when sending their invoice, or easily send it to others via email, text message, or any messaging app on your phone.
To attach a video to an invoice or estimate:
When sending an invoice or estimate, tap the paperclip icon located just above the preview.
Then, tap "Attachments" from the prompt at the bottom of your screen.
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Select your video(s) and any other attachments you want to include and tap "Done" in the top left corner.
Then, continue to send your invoice or estimate as you normally would.
Sharing Videos with Your Customers
To share a video with your customer:
Open a job or estimate and tap the Attachments section to open it.
Next, select a video you'd like to share with your customer.
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Tap on the share icon in the top right corner of your screen, then select how you'd like to share the video, and you're all set!
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Having trouble finding what you need?
For further assistance, please reach out to our Chat Support team
via the Blue Chat Bubble in your Housecall Pro account, or
contact our Phone Support team at (858) 842-5746.