Logging a Visit

Logging a visit records what happened during a return visit — what you discussed, what literature you left, and how the visit went. The next time you visit, you can review your notes so you are prepared to continue the conversation.

Initial call vs. return visit. When you first meet someone and add them as a contact, that conversation goes in the INITIAL CALL section on the contact form (see Creating a Contact). Every conversation after that is logged here, on the visit timeline.

How to Log a Visit

1. Open the contact you want to log a visit for. You can do this from the Contacts tab, the Dashboard, or the Map view.
2. On the contact's detail screen, tap Log a visit.

Shortcut: on the Dashboard, every contact card and every Coming Up reminder has a Log visit button on its right edge. Tapping it takes you straight to the visit form — steps 1 and 2 in one tap.

1. Choose what happened — the four outcome cards at the top of the form (see below). Return visit is already selected, so if that's what it was, there's nothing to change.
2. Add quick notes if you like — notes are optional. An outcome on its own is enough to save the visit.
3. Tap the Save visit button at the bottom of the screen. It stays within reach even while the keyboard is up.

Quick notes: right above the notes field you will see chips like Left literature, Read a scripture, Answered a question, and Conversation. Tap one and it drops straight into your notes — a one-tap way to capture the flavor of the conversation while you are still at the door. Tap more than one, or mix them with your own typed words; each tap adds a new line. When you do want to write more, a sentence is plenty.

Need to record literature you placed, or log the visit for a different day? Tap Add details near the bottom of the form — it holds the Literature placed field and the date (which defaults to today; tap it to backdate).

A confirmation message will appear, and the visit will be added to the contact's timeline.

Choosing an Outcome

Every visit has one of four outcomes. The outcome shapes how the visit appears on your dashboard and reports:

• Return visit (default) — A real conversation. The person was home and you spoke. Most visits are this.
• Study — You conducted a Bible study. Counted in your monthly study report.
• Not at home — You knocked but no one answered. The visit is recorded for your records, but does not "reset" the conversation clock on the dashboard's Ready to Continue lens — knock-and-no-answer is an attempt, not a continued conversation.
• Not interested — The person told you they didn't want to continue. Recorded so you remember the conversation, but signals to the dashboard that this contact may not warrant a return.

You can change the outcome later by editing the visit on the timeline.

After You Save a Visit

Once you save the visit, the app may ask: "When would you like to continue the conversation?"

This is the post-visit reminder prompt. The first option is a suggestion — one week to start with, and once you've visited someone a few times it adjusts to the rhythm you already keep with that person. Choose a date — the suggestion, tomorrow, in two weeks, or a custom date — or tap Not now. Nothing is scheduled unless you tap an option yourself. If you choose a date, the app sets a local notification on your phone for that date. When the time comes, your phone will gently remind you that this person is ready for another visit.

You can:

• See your upcoming reminders in the Coming Up card on the dashboard.
• See and edit every reminder in the Coming Up card on the Dashboard.
• Tap a reminder notification to jump straight to the contact's detail screen.

Reminders are entirely on your device. Nothing about who you intend to visit, or when, is sent to any server.

Reviewing Previous Visits

When you open the Log Visit screen, a summary of your last visit with that person is shown at the top. This helps you pick up where you left off.

To see the full history of visits with a contact, open the contact's detail screen. All visits are listed in order under Return visits, with the most recent visit at the top.

Editing a Visit

Fixed a typo, remembered something once you were back in the car, or picked the wrong outcome? Any saved visit can be changed.

1. Open the contact's detail screen and find the visit in the timeline.
2. Tap the ⋯ (three dots) on the visit card, then tap Edit.
3. Change whatever you need — the outcome, your notes, the literature placed, or the date.
4. Tap Save visit.

The visit is updated in place. Editing never creates a second visit, and it does not ask about a reminder again.

Removing a Visit

1. Open the contact's detail screen and find the visit in the timeline.
2. Tap the ⋯ (three dots) on the visit card, then tap Delete.

The visit disappears immediately, and a small banner appears at the bottom of the screen with an Undo button. You have about seven seconds to tap Undo if you tapped Delete by accident. After that the visit is held quietly on your device for 30 days, then removed for good the next time you open the app.

Removing a visit does not touch the contact, their other visits, or any reminder you have set for them. If you removed their most recent visit, the Dashboard simply goes back to counting from the one before it.

The initial call is edited from the contact, not the timeline. What you recorded when you first met someone lives on the contact form — tap ⋯ → Edit on the contact and scroll to Initial call. See Managing Contact Details.

Tips for Good Visit Notes

• Write what the person said or asked, not just what you said. This helps you remember them.
• Note specific scriptures or publications that interested them.
• Include practical details: "She works mornings — visit after 2 p.m." or "Blue house next to the park."
• Keep it brief. A sentence or two is usually enough.

Need More Help?

If you have difficulty logging visits, a friend who is familiar with Field Service Companion may be able to help you. You can also contact us at support@returnvisits.org.