Hi there! Sorry to hear you're having trouble signing into the Merlin Bird ID app on your Android device. To help you better, can you tell me if the app crashes immediately after you tap "sign in," or does it first refresh and then crash? Also, have you tried any fixes so far, like restarting the app or your phone?

In the meantime, here are some steps we can try to fix the sign-in issue:

1. Force Close and Restart the App
- Go to your phone's Settings > Apps > Merlin Bird ID > Force Stop.
- Then reopen the app and try signing in again.

2. Clear App Cache and Data
- In Settings > Apps > Merlin Bird ID, select Storage, then tap Clear Cache.
- If that doesn’t help, Clear Data (this will reset app preferences but won't delete your account).

3. Check Your Internet Connection
- Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi or mobile network connection since the app needs it to sign in.

4. Update the App
- Open Google Play Store, search for Merlin Bird ID, and if an update is available, install it.

5. Reinstall the App
- Uninstall Merlin Bird ID, then reinstall it fresh from the Play Store.

6. Check Device Compatibility and OS Updates
- You mentioned Android 10; that should be compatible, but ensure your device software and WebKit browser engine are updated.

If after these you still see the app crashing or refreshing repeatedly on sign-in, it might be related to a temporary issue with the app or your account. Sometimes, clearing the cache/data or reinstalling helps resolve such glitches.

Lastly, verifying your account details via the eBird website can help confirm your credentials work. You can also check the Merlin FAQs for account-related help here: https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48000961587-merlin-bird-id-faqs[1].

Let me know what you’ve tried or if you need guidance on any of these steps!

Hi there, have tried to do all these and the same thing happens, either it just returns to the sign in page and doesnt do anything or just a white blank page

Thanks for letting me know you've already tried the basic steps and are still seeing either the sign-in page refreshing or a white blank page. That definitely narrows things down.

From what I’ve seen, some users have had similar issues with Merlin Bird ID app sign-in on Android devices. A few additional suggestions based on recent user reports and fixes might help here:

1. Reset Your Password
Sometimes, resetting your Cornell eBird account password can help clear up sign-in glitches.
- Go to the eBird website (https://ebird.org/) from your browser.
- Use the "Forgot Password?" option to reset your password.
- After resetting, try signing in again in Merlin with the new password.

2. Clear Default Browser Data Used by the App
The Merlin app uses WebKit-based components to manage login screens on Android. If the underlying system browser data is corrupted, it can cause blank screens.
- Go to your Android Settings > Apps > find your default browser (likely Chrome or "Android System WebView").
- Clear the cache and data for that browser component.
- Restart your phone, then try signing in again.

3. Try Signing In Using a Different Network
At times, network restrictions or firewalls can interfere with authentication services.
- If possible, switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa and try signing in.

4. Check for Background Apps or VPNs
VPN apps or security/firewall apps sometimes block the app’s ability to connect properly.
- Temporarily disable VPNs or security apps and retry the sign-in.

5. Use Merlin Without Signing In Temporarily
The Merlin app allows bird identification without signing in. You can test the app's other functions this way to isolate if the problem is strictly login-related.

If none of these steps help after trying them, please reach out directly to Merlin’s support team at [email protected] with details about your device (Android 10, WebKit browser), app version, and the specific behavior you're seeing. They sometimes have backend fixes for account linking issues or pending updates1.

Would you like me to walk you through resetting your password or clearing the WebView browser data on your device?