> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/interview-studies/what-are-interview-studies-in-dscout/mobile-interview-study-faq.md).
# Mobile interview study FAQ
Mobile interview studies allow you to conduct remote moderated, one-on-one interviews with participants on their mobile phones. As the researcher, you may find yourself needing resources to troubleshoot issues in real time or wanting more information about the nitty-gritty details of mobile interview studies. Here are some frequently asked questions and tips about this feature.
## Setup
What file types are supported in mobile studies?
Mobile stimuli boards can house media files (JPG, PNG, and MP4) as well as URLs (including websites and InVision and Figma prototypes). They *cannot* house PDF, MOV, or PPT files.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Avoid uploading Drive or Dropbox folder links as stim, or using long prototype flows with fields that must be manually entered by the participant. Instead, upload each file directly to a stim board and break longer prototype flows into multiple links in multiple stim boards.
{% endhint %}
Am I able to over-recruit for a mobile study?
Yes, though we recommend providing enough time slots for all invited *participants*. You can read more about this in our [Scout Experience Standards](https://dscout.com/legal/scout-experience-standards). It’s good to note as well that over-recruiting from the start isn’t always necessary; if you have one or a few unresponsive *participants*, you can always [close them out](/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/close-a-participant-in-an-interview-study.md) of the study and invite new *participants* in their place—even after you’ve launched your study.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Be sure to include a line in your study’s instructions stating that time slots are on a first-come, first-served basis so participants should be sure to schedule themselves ASAP.
{% endhint %}
Can I have observers in a mobile session?
Yes! Anyone who is added as a collaborator on your project can observe any of your mobile sessions.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If possible, connect your computer to ethernet during mobile sessions and instruct your observers to do the same. If you’re sharing longer prototypes or larger stim files, reduce the number of observers you have on the call, if possible, to preserve bandwidth.
{% endhint %}
Can I share my screen with a participant in a mobile session?
No, mobile sessions do not support this capability.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If you need to share your screen with a participant, consider running a desktop interview session.
{% endhint %}
Can I test a long, complex prototype flow during a mobile session?
Consider splitting your longer prototype flow into shorter steps in separate links in separate stimuli boards to preserve bandwidth.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If that’s not an option, send the link to your longer flow to the participant before your session via chat in the Manage page and instruct them to open it in their browser.
{% endhint %}
Can I message participants during my mobile session?
No, mobile sessions do not support this capability.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Communicate with participants before and/or after your session via the chat function on the Manage page.
{% endhint %}
Why can I see my participant's face in only some of my screenshare exports?
The participant camera will only export alongside the screenshare when a participant is prompted to share their screen via a stimuli board that you’ve shared. If the participant is recording their screen and leaves the Dscout app to open another app that you send them, externally or via study messages, you will only see the participant’s screen and not their face in your export.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Reach out to your research advisor or one of your teammates to test these two options to find the best fit for your stimuli and project.
{% endhint %}
Can participants toggle between forward-facing and back-facing cameras during a mobile session?
Yes, they can!
Can a mobile session have multiple moderators?
No, only desktop sessions can have multiple moderators. Additionally, this feature is only available on Dscout **Plus**, **Select**, and **Enterprise** plans.
## Troubleshooting
My participant has told me that the screenshare button is grayed out. What should I do?
This is likely due to poor connectivity. Instruct the participant to move to an area with a stronger Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Before your session, ensure that both you and the participant, and any observers, can be in an area with a strong Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
{% endhint %}
Something funky is going on while I’m sharing a stimuli board with a participant. What can I do?
Click the “End Stimshare” button on your screen and then reshare the stim.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If possible, break longer prototype flows into shorter steps in separate links in separate stim boards so that they’re easier to pop back into in situations like these.
{% endhint %}
The participant and I are experiencing technical difficulties in our mobile session. Help!
If the participant is sharing their screen or interacting with stim, instruct them to stop doing so. Next, instruct the participant to tap the red “End” button and rejoin. Then, refresh your page and rejoin the session as well. Do **NOT** end the session on your end or close the participant.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** The participant **MUST** end sharing their screen before leaving and rejoining the call.
{% endhint %}
I’m in a mobile session and I need technical support. Who can I reach out to?
If you’ve followed the above troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing issues, click the “?” in the top right corner of your screen during standard business operation (9am - 5pm CT, Monday - Friday) to chat with a member of our Support team.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Before creating your mobile study, reach out to your research advisor, account manager, or sales rep to schedule a demo to make sure you’re prepared when the time comes to run your sessions.
{% endhint %}
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