Hi KoboToolbox team,
I’m writing to suggest a potentially valuable feature for project administrators and field users alike.
It would be extremely useful to have a way—either via in-app messaging or push notifications—to notify users (enumerators/data collectors) when a new version of a form or application is available, and to prompt them to update before continuing data collection.
Currently, there’s no built-in mechanism in KoboToolbox to inform users directly through the app about critical updates. This creates a risk that users continue working with outdated forms or app versions, leading to inconsistencies in data or workflow interruptions.
A few ideas for implementation:
- A broadcast message system triggered from the Kobo server (project dashboard) to all devices that have pulled the project.
- Push notification support, if using KoboCollect or Enketo via Android or mobile browsers.
- A server-side flag or metadata field that, when updated, displays a banner or modal alert in the app/form interface.
- Optionally, a required confirmation step from the user acknowledging that they are using the latest version (e.g., via metadata comparison).
This would significantly improve data integrity, especially in large teams or remote areas where direct communication with users is limited.
Thanks for the great work you’re doing. I hope this feature can be considered in future updates.
Best regards,
