The UserCrowd app lets you complete studies and earn rewards directly from your phone. It includes everything you'll find on the UserCrowd website (your dashboard, study invitations, settings, and payout options) with one key addition: the ability to record your screen while taking a study. Screen recording isn't possible in a mobile browser, so some studies will require you to use the app.
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Taking a study in the app
Taking a study from an email invitation
When you're invited to a study that requires screen recording on mobile, you'll receive an email with a link and QR code. Here's what to do:
Open the email on your phone and tap the study link. If you've opened the email on your desktop, you can scan the QR code with your mobile device to open the study.
The app opens automatically. If you haven't installed it yet, you'll be taken to the App Store or Google Play to download it first. Once installed, sign in to your UserCrowd account, and you'll be taken straight into the study.
Grant all capture permissions (screen recording, microphone, and/or camera access) when prompted. You must accept these to proceed with the test.
Complete the study as normal. The app records your screen in the background.
Your recording uploads automatically when the study ends.
Starting a study from the dashboard
You can also accept and open studies directly from the dashboard within the app, just as you would on the UserCrowd website.
Before taking a study, we recommend turning on Do Not Disturb mode on your phone. This prevents calls, texts, and notifications from interrupting your session and stops any personal information from being captured in the recording.
What gets recorded
The recording requirements for each study are shown clearly before you begin. Depending on the study, you may be asked to share:
Your screen: everything visible on your phone as you complete the tasks
Your camera: a picture-in-picture view of your face (if enabled for that study)
Your audio: your voice as you think aloud (if enabled for that study)
Some websites or prototypes you're asked to test may prompt you to grant them microphone or camera access. Please decline these requests. Granting access to a website can interfere with the app's recording and may cause your study to end unexpectedly.
Screen recording permission is required for studies that include it. If you deny or revoke permission during a study, the session will end, and your response won't be submitted. You will not be eligible for payment for responses that could not be submitted due to a permissions error.
Privacy
Your recordings are only shared with the company that commissioned the research. UserCrowd does not share your recordings with any third parties. View our privacy policy.
Common questions
Can I complete a screen recording study in my mobile device's browser instead of the app?
Screen recording studies cannot be completed in your mobile device's browser due to limitations within mobile browsers. If you're using a mobile device to take tests, recorded studies must be completed in the UserCrowd app. If you try to open one of these studies in a mobile browser, you'll be prompted to download the app.
What if I don't have the app installed?
If you don't have the app installed, tapping the link in your invitation email will direct you to the App Store or Google Play. Download the app, sign in to your UserCrowd account, and you'll be taken straight into the study.
Will I still get paid if my session ends early?
If your session ends early (for example, because you denied screen recording permission), your response won't be submitted, and you won't receive payment for that study.
I'm having trouble with the app. Who can I contact?
If you're having trouble with the app, reach out to our support team at support@usercrowd.com, and we'll help you out.