Hi! It sounds like you want to use Merlin Bird ID’s Sound ID feature without having to enter your location every time you use it, is that right? Just to be sure, are you trying to have the app remember your location automatically for sound identification, or do you want to completely avoid sharing location?

Knowing this will help me guide you better. For example, Merlin usually uses location to narrow down which bird sounds are likely in your area, which improves accuracy. If you're open to it, there might be a way to set a default location or enable automatic location detection.

Could you please tell me a bit more about your current experience? For example:
- Are you manually entering a location each time you use Sound ID?
- Have you checked if location permissions are enabled for the app on your Windows device?
- Would you prefer the app to use your device’s GPS or network location automatically?

Once I have this info, I can walk you through the settings to streamline your Sound ID experience!

manually have to enter location everytime using sound

Thanks for clarifying that you have to manually enter your location every time when using Sound ID in Merlin Bird ID on your Windows device.

From what I gathered, Merlin Bird ID typically asks for location to improve sound identification accuracy, but it does not currently have a built-in feature on Windows that automatically remembers or uses your device’s GPS/location services for Sound ID to avoid manual entry every time.

However, here are some steps you can try to make this easier and possibly reduce manual input:

1. Check Location Permissions on Windows:
Make sure your device location is enabled and Merlin Bird ID has permission to access location services. This might allow the app to auto-detect your location, reducing or eliminating manual entry.
- Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
- Ensure Location services is on and Merlin Bird ID (if listed) has permission.

2. Set a Default Location in the App (if available):
Some features in Merlin allow setting a location or “bookmarking” a favorite spot in the Explore Birds section. Although this may not carry over directly to Sound ID, it can speed up manual entry when selecting from saved locations.
- Open Explore Birds, tap the filter or location button, and see if you can save or select previously used locations easily.

3. Use External GPS Device or Apps:
Since your device is Windows-based and may lack GPS, consider using an external GPS device or app that can share your location with other apps, if supported, to help Merlin grab the location automatically.

4. Provide Feedback to Merlin Developers:
I found some past discussions requesting a “location input before using Sound ID” feature especially for places without GPS, but it’s not currently built-in3. You might consider sending feedback to [email protected] suggesting they add an option to save and auto-use location with Sound ID.

If you’ve already checked location permissions and still face manual entry, it could be the app’s current limitation on Windows devices. I recommend enabling location services and saving favorite locations in Explore Birds as a partial workaround.

Would you like me to guide you through enabling location services on Windows, or help you find the location saving option in the app? Let me know!

How to set automatic location detection in Merlin Bird ID?

Thanks for your question about setting up automatic location detection in the Merlin Bird ID app!

Merlin Bird ID aims to auto-detect your location to help narrow down bird identification, but the ability to do this depends on your device and location permissions. Here’s how you can try enabling automatic location detection on your Windows device using the Merlin app:

1. Enable Location Services in Windows:
- Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
- Make sure Location services is turned ON.
- Also, ensure Merlin Bird ID (if listed) or your browser (since you use WebKit) has permission to access your location.

2. Allow Merlin Bird ID to Access Location:
- When you launch the Merlin Bird ID app or use Sound ID, you should get a prompt asking permission to access your location. Make sure to accept this.

3. Using Explore Birds to Auto-Detect Location:
- Open Explore Birds in the Merlin app.
- Tap the filter or location icon in the upper right corner.
- Choose Use My Location or a similar option to let Merlin detect your current place automatically based on your device’s location.

4. Sound ID Feature:
- When using Sound ID, the app should use your current location if permissions and location services are enabled. If it’s still prompting for manual input, the app might not be detecting location automatically on your Windows device, possibly due to limitations in the app version or device GPS availability.

Unfortunately, on Windows devices without built-in GPS, Merlin probably can’t fully auto-detect your location and may require manual entry. Enabling location services and permissions is the best way to help Merlin try to auto-detect location when possible1.

Would you like me to guide you through enabling location services on your Windows 10 system step-by-step? That might help Merlin Bird ID get better access to your location and reduce manual entries.

Updating location settings in Merlin Bird ID

Hi! To update or set your location settings in the Merlin Bird ID app, especially on Windows, here’s a straightforward way to manage your location so the app can better suggest birds and reduce repeated manual entry:

1. Open the Merlin Bird ID app and navigate to Explore Birds:
- Tap the Explore Birds section from the main screen.

2. Access the Location Filter:
- Look for the filter icon (usually in the upper-right corner).
- Tap on it to open location options.

3. Set or Change Your Location:
- You can choose Use My Location if your device location services are enabled and Merlin has permission to access it. This will automatically detect your location.
- Or select a saved or previously used location from the list. This helps reduce the need to enter location manually every session.

4. Enable Location Permissions on Windows:
- Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
- Make sure Location services is turned ON.
- Ensure your browser (WebKit-based) or the Merlin app itself (if standalone) has permission to access location.

5. Restart the App if Changes Don’t Apply:
- Sometimes, restarting Merlin Bird ID or your device helps the new settings stick.

6. Saving Locations for Offline Use:
- You can also download Bird Packs for specific regions to work offline or to make location selection faster.

If you still face issues where the app keeps asking for location manually, it might be due to limited location service support on Windows devices or browser permissions, especially since you’re using a WebKit browser environment.

For a visual walkthrough, this video shows changing regions and location in Merlin Bird ID which might be helpful: YouTube - How Do I Change The Region In The Merlin Bird ID App? 1

Feel free to tell me if you want me to guide you step-by-step through any of these! Are you satisfied with this solution on updating your location settings?