Photos & Camera
Capture, upload, and manage photos for assets, work orders, inspections, and DTCs
Photos & Camera
Yipii Mobility includes built-in photo capture and gallery features that integrate across assets, work orders, inspections, and diagnostic trouble codes. Document asset condition, capture before/after repair evidence, fulfill inspection photo requirements, and attach visual context to DTCs -- all directly from your browser or mobile device.
Where Photos Are Used
Photos can be attached to several areas of the application:
Assets
Each asset has a dedicated photo gallery accessible from the asset detail page. The default photo appears on asset cards throughout the app (list views, dashboards, work order references) so vehicles are easy to recognize at a glance.
Work Orders
Work orders support photo documentation at each stage -- before, during, and after a repair. This creates a clear visual record that supports warranty claims, customer reporting, and internal QA.
Inspections
Inspection items can require photo evidence for pass/fail verification. When a technician flags a failed item (e.g., worn tire, cracked mirror), the photo provides clear context for the follow-up work order.
DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)
When a DTC is logged manually or needs additional context, attach photos showing the symptoms -- warning lights, damaged components, or error displays. These photos travel with the DTC through its resolution workflow.
Asset Photo Gallery
The asset photo gallery (rebuilt with improved UX in 2026) offers a polished management experience.
Grid View
- Responsive layout -- two columns on mobile, three columns on desktop
- 4:3 aspect ratio thumbnails -- consistent framing so photos never look awkwardly cropped
- Hover effect -- subtle zoom on desktop to indicate interactivity
- Default photo indicator -- a filled star icon in the top-left corner
- Photo count -- displayed next to the section title
- Per-photo actions -- category label, set-as-default star, delete icon, all accessible without opening the lightbox
Lightbox Viewer
Click any thumbnail to open the full-screen lightbox:
- View the photo at full resolution against a dark backdrop
- Navigate between photos using the left/right arrow buttons on screen
- Keyboard navigation -- arrow keys to move between photos, Escape to close
- Touch swipe on mobile -- swipe left or right to navigate
- A bottom bar displays the photo category, filename, and management action buttons
- All management actions (set as default, change category, delete) are available directly within the lightbox
Default Photo
Each asset can have one default photo, which serves as its thumbnail in asset lists and overview cards:
- The default is marked with a filled star icon in the top-left corner of the thumbnail
- Click the star icon on any photo (in the grid or lightbox) to set it as the default
- A loading spinner appears on the photo while the default is being updated
- A toast notification confirms the change
- The previous default is automatically unset -- only one default exists per asset
Photo Categories
Photos are organized into seven categories that align with IoT device documentation needs:
| Category | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Exterior and interior shots of the vehicle or asset |
| Tracker | Photos of the GPS tracker device itself |
| Installation | Documentation of how and where the tracker was installed |
| QR Scan | QR code or barcode scans for identification |
| Document | Registration papers, insurance cards, or other documents |
| Damage | Damage documentation for insurance or repair tracking |
| General | Any other photos that do not fit a specific category |
To change a photo's category:
- Click the category label below the photo in the grid, or use the category dropdown in the lightbox bottom bar
- Select the new category from the dropdown menu
- A loading spinner appears on the active photo while saving
- A toast notification confirms the update
Deleting Photos
To remove a photo:
- Click the trash icon on the photo (available in both grid and lightbox views)
- A confirmation dialog appears to prevent accidental deletions
- Confirm to permanently remove the photo
The delete button is disabled while the action is in progress to prevent duplicate actions. Deleted photos cannot be recovered.
Loading States and Feedback
All photo management actions provide clear visual feedback:
- Upload -- a progress indicator is shown while the file is being uploaded
- Set as default -- a spinner replaces the star icon on the active photo while saving; other buttons are disabled during the save
- Change category -- a spinner appears on the active photo while the category is updated
- Delete -- the confirmation dialog shows a loading state during deletion
- Toast notifications -- success and error messages appear as toast popups after each action
Capturing Photos
Mobile -- In-App Camera
- Open an asset, work order, inspection item, or DTC
- Tap the camera icon or Add Photo button
- Select Take Photo to open your device's camera
- Capture the image
- The photo uploads and attaches automatically
Mobile -- Gallery
- Tap the Add Photo button
- Select Gallery to browse existing photos on your device
- Choose one or more images to attach
Desktop -- File Upload
- Click the Upload Photos button
- Select one or more image files (JPG, PNG, HEIC, WebP)
- Multi-file upload -- pick several photos at once; each appears in the gallery as it completes
- Files are uploaded and displayed in the gallery with a progress indicator
Desktop -- Drag and Drop
- Drag one or more image files from your file system
- Drop them onto the photo gallery area
- The upload starts automatically
Photo Management
Automatic Processing
When photos are uploaded, the system:
- Auto-resizes large images to a web-optimized size for faster loading
- Preserves the original so it remains available for full-resolution download
- Generates compressed thumbnails used in grid views
- Preserves EXIF data (capture date, GPS coordinates if available, camera info)
- Deduplicates -- if you upload an identical photo (same file hash), the system recognizes it and avoids creating a duplicate
Metadata Recorded
Each upload records:
- Timestamp -- when the photo was taken or uploaded
- Uploader -- which user uploaded the photo
- Context -- what the photo is attached to (asset, work order, inspection item, DTC)
- Category -- the assigned photo category (for asset photos)
- File size -- displayed in the gallery for reference
- EXIF data -- original capture date and GPS location if embedded
Downloading
Photos can be downloaded individually at full resolution from the lightbox. The original (pre-compression) version is served to preserve image quality for offline records or legal purposes.
Permissions
Photo access follows the permissions of the parent resource:
| Resource | Who Can Add Photos | Who Can View Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Admin, Manager, User | Anyone with asset access |
| Work Orders | Admin, Manager, assigned technician | Anyone with work order access |
| Inspections | Admin, Manager, assigned inspector | Anyone with inspection access |
| DTCs | Admin, Manager, assigned mechanic | Anyone with DTC access |
Best Practices
- Take clear, well-lit photos that show the subject distinctly
- Capture multiple angles for damage or condition documentation
- Use before/after photos for work orders -- this documents repair quality and supports warranty claims
- Keep the camera steady to avoid blur; use a flashlight for under-vehicle shots
- For inspections, photograph the specific item being inspected, not the general area
- Use categories consistently so photos are easy to filter and find later
- Set a clear, representative default photo for each asset so it is easily recognizable in list views and cards
- Use the Damage category consistently for any photo that might support an insurance claim
- Photograph installation notes (e.g., tracker wiring, mounting position) for future reference when replacing or troubleshooting devices
- Capture serial numbers and QR codes using the QR Scan category for quick identification later
FAQ
How many photos can I upload per asset?
There is no hard limit on the number of photos per asset. Accounts on metered plans may have total storage limits -- see the Settings > Plans page for your quota.
Can I download all photos at once?
Individual photos can be downloaded from the lightbox at full resolution. Bulk download of an entire asset's gallery is not yet supported but is on the roadmap.
Are photos compressed?
Yes. Uploaded images are auto-resized to a web-optimized size for faster loading, while the original is preserved and available for download. Thumbnails in the grid are compressed further for quick rendering.
What happens when I delete an asset -- are photos kept?
When an asset is archived, its photos are retained in case the asset is restored. When an asset is permanently deleted, its photos are removed from storage along with the asset.
What image formats are supported?
JPG, PNG, HEIC (iOS), and WebP are supported. Other formats (TIFF, BMP, RAW) are not supported -- convert them before uploading.
Is GPS/location data preserved?
Yes -- EXIF metadata including GPS coordinates is preserved on the stored original. This can be useful for proving where damage was documented or when/where a photo was taken.
Can I edit a photo after uploading?
In-app photo editing (crop, rotate, annotate) is not supported. Edit the image locally and re-upload if changes are needed.
Related Links
- Managing Assets -- Upload and manage asset photos
- Work Orders -- Document repairs with photos
- Inspections -- Fulfill photo requirements during inspections
- DTCs -- Attach photos showing diagnostic symptoms