Remote Alcohol Test in Under 10 Minutes: A Non-Technical Walkthrough
Written by BACtrack Editorial Team
Updated June 05, 2026
Your first remote alcohol test through BACtrack View takes under 10 minutes once the app is installed. The part that takes longer is knowing what to expect before you begin.
Whether you are setting up under a custody arrangement, a probation requirement, or a personal accountability plan, the steps are the same. Four things need to be in place before you start: the included breathalyzer, a compatible phone, an active internet connection, and a BACtrack View account. Once they are, the hands-on portion is short.
None of the steps require technical experience. What follows is the complete sequence, in order.
What You Need Before You Start
There are four things you need before you complete your first test with BACtrack View. Before downloading anything, confirm you have each one.
The included BACtrack Mobile breathalyzer. This device is included with your subscription. BACtrack View requires a specialized version of the BACtrack Mobile breathalyzer. A personal breathalyzer you already own will not work. If you try to connect a different device, the app will not recognize it.
A compatible phone or tablet. BACtrack View works on Apple devices running iOS 13.0 or later and Android devices running Android 11 or later. If you are unsure whether your device qualifies, a full compatibility list is available through the BACtrack View support center.
An active, stable internet connection. Both Wi-Fi and cellular data work. You need a connection during setup and during every test. Readings taken without a stable connection may not save properly.
An active BACtrack View account. BACtrack View offers three plans: Basic at $79.99 per month, Plus at $99.99 per month, and Pro at $129.99 per month. All three include a free two-week trial with no activation fees and no contracts.
Who's Who: Testers, Monitors, and Accountability Partners
When you open BACtrack View for the first time, the app refers to account roles that may be unfamiliar. Knowing what each role means before you begin prevents confusion when connection prompts appear during setup.
BACtrack View uses four roles:
|
Role |
What they do |
|---|---|
|
Tester |
Takes BAC tests on a schedule set by a Monitor |
|
Self-Tester |
Takes tests and reviews their own results, no Monitor attached |
|
Monitor |
Sets the schedule, views all results, holds admin rights |
|
Accountability Partner |
Views results and receives SMS or email notifications only |
A Monitor has full admin control over the Tester's account. An Accountability Partner has view-only access and cannot set a schedule or manage billing.
Most individual first-time users set up as Self-Testers. Custody arrangements, probation conditions, and family law situations typically involve a Monitor.
Setting Up Your Account and App
Once your account is created and your breathalyzer is on hand, the software setup follows a short sequence.
Start your free trial and create an account. Go to monitoring.bactrack.com and begin the two-week free trial. Fill in the signup form and payment details (you won’t be charged until the end of your 14-day free trial).
Download the correct app. Use the download button or QR code on the BACtrack View website to download the correct app. Searching "BACtrack" in the app store will return multiple results; go directly from the site to avoid downloading the wrong app.
Log in. Open the BACtrack View app and sign in with the email address and password you created at signup.
Grant camera and location access. The first time you open the app, it will request access to your camera and your location. Camera access is required for facial verification; location access is required to include a location stamp if enabled (both may prompt for 'While Using the App' permission).
Add a Monitor or Accountability Partner, if applicable. If you did not invite someone during signup, tap the Contacts icon in the bottom-left corner of the app, enter their email address, and send the invitation. They receive instructions for setting up their side of the account.
One clarification: you can install the app before your account is active, but you cannot log in or use the service until your trial or subscription is live. If you need a step-by-step reference for any of the above, BACtrack publishes a Self-Tester quick start guide you can download as a PDF.
Taking Your First Test, Step by Step
Now that you have everything, it’s time for your first test. Whether a test is scheduled or on-demand, the steps are the same each time.
- Start the test. For a scheduled test, BACtrack View sends a text message to your phone when it is time. Tap the link in that message to open the app and begin. For an on-demand test taken outside a set schedule, tap the Test icon at the bottom center of the app screen. If you don’t receive or cannot open the text link, open the app and tap Test to begin manually.
- Enable Bluetooth. Before connecting the breathalyzer, confirm Bluetooth is on in your phone settings.
- Turn on the breathalyzer. Press the silver button on the BACtrack device for 1 to 2 seconds until the blue lights appear (LED color/behavior may vary by device firmware; follow on-screen prompts).
- Let the app connect. The app connects to the breathalyzer automatically over Bluetooth. You will see a "preparing the device" screen, followed by a "take a deep breath" prompt.
- Blow into the device. Once prompted, exhale firmly and steadily for 6 seconds. Hold your phone at eye level and look directly into the front-facing camera in a well-lit area. You do not need to exhale as hard as possible. The test requires a consistent, unbroken breath for the full 6 seconds, ending with a click in the device. If the blow is too short or interrupted, the app will show an error and prompt a re-test; follow on-screen guidance.
- Your result is recorded. The result saves automatically with the date, time, location (if enabled), and a video of the test. A notification goes out to any Monitor or Accountability Partner connected to your account.
Self-Testers can also build a recurring or randomized schedule by tapping the plus icon on the home screen. Either way, the test itself takes well under a minute once the breathalyzer is connected. BACtrack's how it works page walks through the scheduling options in more detail.
Before You Test: Getting an Accurate Reading
A clean first reading comes down to a few conditions. None of them are complicated, and knowing them in advance prevents a result that looks unexpected.
Wait after eating, drinking, or smoking. Give yourself at least 15 to 20 minutes before testing. Testing too soon can produce an inaccurate reading and may damage the device's fuel-cell sensor.
Keep a stable connection. The test requires an active internet connection from start to finish. A dropped connection during testing may prevent the reading from saving.
Position yourself correctly. Remove anything covering your face, including hats and sunglasses. Hold your phone at eye level, look into the front-facing camera, and stand in a well-lit space.
Keep the device away from certain substances. The breathalyzer sensor is sensitive enough to detect trace amounts of methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or acetone from nearby sources. These can trigger a positive result even without alcohol consumption. If that happens, move to a clear area, wait 15 to 30 minutes, and re-test.
Stay within the temperature range. Use and store the device between 32 degrees F and 104 degrees F. Temperatures outside that range affect accuracy.
If an error message appears. Turn the breathalyzer off, turn it back on, and restart the testing process. Most errors clear on their own with a restart.
Understanding these conditions matters most for a first test. Once you have one clean reading on record, the sequence becomes routine.
Viewing Your Results and Reports
Results are available in the app as soon as a test is complete.
Tap any date in the Calendar to see the details: date, time, location if enabled, and the video of the test. Any Monitor or Accountability Partner on your account sees the same information on their end.
For downloadable records, PDF reports are available on the Plus and Pro plans. To request one, tap the Activity icon, then tap the Download icon in the upper right corner. The report arrives by email.
|
Plan |
PDF reports |
|---|---|
|
Basic |
Not included |
|
Plus |
One per month |
|
Pro |
Unlimited |
The attached video and metadata help corroborate who performed the test and when. When a result needs to stand on its own in a formal context, a watchable recording of the actual test closes the question of whether the right person took it. This is court-acceptable verification, not a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.
Why BACtrack View Fits Your First Test
Remote alcohol monitoring setup does not require a technical background. BACtrack View is built around a short, repeatable loop: receive a notification, turn on the device, connect over Bluetooth, exhale for 6 seconds, and the result is recorded. The four prerequisites, the included breathalyzer, a compatible phone, a stable internet connection, and an active account, are all in place before your first test begins.
BACtrack View gives families and attorneys remote, court-acceptable BAC verification. See plans and start a free trial today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to use BACtrack View?
You need four things: the BACtrack Mobile smartphone breathalyzer included free with every plan, a compatible phone or tablet running iOS 13.0 or later or Android 11 or later, an active and stable internet connection, and a BACtrack View account. The included breathalyzer is a specialized version. No other BACtrack device and no third-party breathalyzer is compatible with the service.
Can I use my own breathalyzer?
No. BACtrack View requires the specialized BACtrack Mobile breathalyzer provided at signup, which is included at no additional charge. Connecting any other breathalyzer, including other BACtrack models, will not work with the service.
How long does a test take?
The breath sample itself requires 6 seconds of firm, steady exhalation until you hear a click. From turning on the device to a recorded result, the full test takes well under a minute.
Is there a contract or activation fee?
No. BACtrack View operates month to month with no contracts and no activation fees. You can stop the service at any time by submitting the cancellation form on the BACtrack View website.
Do I need an internet connection?
Yes. BACtrack View requires an active and stable internet connection, either Wi-Fi or cellular data, for every test. Readings taken without a connection may not save properly.
How do I get the free trial?
The two-week free trial starts when you sign up at monitoring.bactrack.com. You can download and install the app before signing up, but you cannot log in or use the service until your trial is active.
References
- BACtrack View. "How It Works." monitoring.bactrack.com. Accessed 2026-06-01.
- BACtrack View. "Self-Tester Quick Start Guide." monitoring.bactrack.com. Accessed 2026-06-01.
- BACtrack View. "Tester Quick Start Guide." monitoring.bactrack.com. Accessed 2026-06-01.
- BACtrack View. "Pricing." monitoring.bactrack.com. Accessed 2026-06-01.
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