Smart Arrival & Check-In Guide
Learn how Smart Arrival works, how to check in manually, and what your check-in does inside VanLife Connect.
Before you start
Smart Arrival is a location-based feature designed to recognise when you arrive at a supported campsite and prompt you to check in. Once you confirm your check-in, VanLife Connect can surface information and activity relevant to that location.
1. How Smart Arrival works
Allow location access
Smart Arrival needs the relevant location permission on your device. Background location permission is required if you want arrival detection to work when VanLife Connect is not open on screen.
Allow notifications
Notifications allow VanLife Connect to let you know when Smart Arrival has detected a supported location and is ready for you to confirm your check-in.
Arrive and remain at a supported location
Smart Arrival uses location signals and dwell time to help distinguish an arrival at a mapped campsite from simply passing through the area.
2. When Smart Arrival detects your arrival
Smart Arrival uses dwell time before prompting you, helping distinguish a genuine arrival from simply passing through. It does not automatically check you in. You confirm the location, your stay and the services you want active there.
Open the arrival prompt
Tap the Smart Arrival notification or prompt to open the check-in flow.
Check the location
Confirm that VanLife Connect has identified the correct campsite before continuing.
Select your length of stay
Enter your arrival and departure dates on the calendar, or enter the number of nights you are staying, then confirm your stay.
Select the services you want to activate
Choose which of your services you want to make active at this location during your stay.
Check in
Review the location, stay details and selected services, then confirm your check-in.
3. Check in manually
You do not need to wait for Smart Arrival. Manual check-in is useful if Smart Arrival does not trigger, you have location detection turned off, or you prefer to choose the location yourself.
Find your campsite
Open the map and locate the campsite or location where you are staying.
Open the campsite details
Select the location to open its details and check-in options.
Complete your check-in
Select your length of stay by entering the dates on the calendar or the number of nights, choose the services you want to activate at that location, then confirm your check-in.
4. What happens once you’re checked in
Check-in gives VanLife Connect a location context so the app can show what is relevant around your stay.
Services
See services available at or around your location and find practical help when you need it.
Community Noticeboard
See local posts, activities, requests for assistance and other information relevant to travellers around you.
Travel Mates Nearby
See when people you have already connected with as Travel Mates are checked in or nearby.
5. Check-out
Your check-in represents your current stay in VanLife Connect. The app is designed to check you out automatically when you leave the site, or at 10:30 am on your recorded departure day if you have not already left.
Automatic check-out when you leave
If VanLife Connect detects that you have departed the campsite, your current check-in can end automatically.
Automatic check-out at 10:30 am
If you are still shown as checked in on your departure day, VanLife Connect automatically checks you out at 10:30 am.
Check out manually at any time
You can also use the Check Out option yourself if you leave early or want to end your current stay manually.
6. If Smart Arrival doesn’t trigger
Smart Arrival depends on your device, location permissions, GPS accuracy and whether the campsite is included in VanLife Connect’s location database.
- Check that location services are enabled for VanLife Connect.
- Check background location permission if you want Smart Arrival to work when the app is not open.
- Make sure notifications are enabled if you want to receive the arrival prompt.
- Check that your device’s location services are turned on.
- If the location is missing or Smart Arrival still does not trigger, use manual check-in.
Smart Arrival limitations
GPS and location accuracy can vary because of your device, terrain, weather, network conditions and third-party location services. Smart Arrival is a convenience feature and should not be relied on for navigation, safety, emergency assistance or real-time tracking.
Notifications & Smart Arrival Troubleshooting
Learn how to manage notification settings and troubleshoot common Smart Arrival and notification issues.
Notifications & Smart Arrival Troubleshooting