Using and troubleshooting headset buttons to control the app

Pace Control app makes it possible to use headset buttons to control it. Thanks to this using the app becomes more comfortable because for example you can start the workout with your phone in the pocket. To activate this function you must turn it on in the app's Settings and you also need to have a headset button which is compatible with Pace Control. Most headsets that work with music players (play, pause, next/previous track) should work with Pace Control.

Commands invoked by headset buttons

You can use headset buttons to invoke the following commands:

• Pause / resume - single click of multifunction button or pressing dedicated "play" or "pause" button.
• Voice feedback - double-click of multifunction button or pressing dedicated "next track" button. This function results in playing a voice message with current distance, time, pace and additional information from the race assistant (if available). Use this function if you somehow lost concentration when a regular voice feedback message was played or you just want to hear a voice feedback immediately for whatever reason.
• Current pace reset - triple-click of multifunction button or pressing dedicated "previous track" button. Pace Control calculates the current pace as an average from the last two minutes. Because of this, after we change our running pace, we need to wait these two minutes until the current pace readings stabilze on a new level. To improve this behavior, you can reset the current pace when you intentionally change your running pace, so that the current pace reading will not be impacted by parts of your workout run with different pace.

When the Pace Control app receives a request to run a command by pressing headset buttons, it plays a short sound confirming receiving the request. In case you use a multifunction button, be prepared for a slight delay required to detect the number of consecutive clicks.

When do these buttons work? How to start my run when the phone is locked?

Headset buttons do not work, if the workout is not started and the phone does not display the app's screen (e.g. it is locked). However starting the workout with the locked phone is possible. To do it, you need to long press the start button on the Pace Control app's screen - this will start the workout in suspended state (paused even before the time counter starts). Then you can lock the phone and put it in your pocket - pressing the headset button will resume the workout and start the timer.

Additional remarks

• Do not press buttons for too long, because Android might interpret it as a request to launch Google Voice Search.
• Double- or triple-clicks should be done not too fast to avoid mistakes. For sure it is better to practice them during workouts than nervously trying to learn them when running an important race.
• If you use the other app using headset buttons at the same time (e.g. a music player), you should be aware that this app might intercept headset button messages from Pace Control. Most of music players will gain control over headset buttons when a track being played changes or when the music resumes after the voice feedback message ends and it may take a while (a second or two) before Pace Control takes back the control.
• Some phones suffer from the issue with long delays (sometimes even a minute or more) between a headset button press and a moment when this information is passed to applications. This impacts all the applications, not only Pace Control. There is nothing we can do about it and please, do not blame Pace Control for this issue.
• If you use dedicated apps that are supposed to improve headset buttons behavior in the system and Pace Control has issues with communication with your headset, try uninstalling or reconfiguring such an app. There is a chance it will solve the problem.