How to fill in an EICR on your phone, step by step
To fill in an EICR on your phone, use a certificate app built to the current model form (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026) and fill it in the order you work on site. Start with who ordered the report and why, then the extent and limitations, the supply and earthing, each board and its circuits, and the test results as you take them. Next, go through the inspection schedule item by item, write and code your observations, and finish with the overall assessment, the next inspection date and your signature. Do it at the board, not on paper that you type up at night. In ZipCert, it all works with no signal once the app is open, and you tap Issue for a branded PDF.
What you need before you start
- The app on your home screen. ZipCert runs in your phone's browser, so there's nothing to download from the App Store or Play Store. On an iPhone, open zipcert.uk in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. On Android, use your browser's menu to install it or add it to the home screen.
- ZipCert open before you lose signal. Once it's open, you can fill in the whole report with no signal and it syncs when you're back in signal. It can't start from cold with no signal, so open it before you go into the loft, the basement or a block's meter cupboard.
- The agreed extent and limitations. Agree what you're inspecting, and what you're not, with the person ordering the report before you start.
- Your tester. Readings are typed in by you. The app doesn't read them off your instrument.
How to fill in an EICR on your phone (12 steps)
1. Start a new EICR, or copy a previous one
Tap to start a new EICR. If you've done this property before, copy from the previous cert instead. It brings across the client and installation address, the supply and earthing (with Ze and Ipf marked for you to re-check), and the boards and circuit list without readings. Inspection answers and observations aren't copied, and test readings, signatures and dates are never copied.
2. Who ordered it, and why
Fill in the person ordering the report, the reason for it (for example, a change of tenancy or a sale), the date of the inspection and the installation details. Talk to text works in these text boxes if you'd rather not type.
3. Extent and limitations
Write down what the report covers, and the agreed and operational limitations with the reasons. Examples are floor coverings not lifted, a loft not entered, or a room you couldn't get into. Do this before you test, so the report is clear about what you did and didn't check.
4. Supply characteristics and earthing
Record the earthing arrangement, the number and type of live conductors, the nominal voltage, Ze and Ipf, and the supply protective device. Then add the means of earthing, the main protective conductors and bonding, and the main switch. These are all typed in by you. Board photo fill doesn't fill the supply or the main switch.
5. Add each board
Add every distribution board in the report. In ZipCert, "Add a board" gives each board its own schedule, so a consumer unit and a garage sub-board each get their own circuit list.
6. Circuit details, from a photo of the board
On a single-phase board, tap Photo board and take a photo while you have signal. ZipCert reads each device and fills in the circuit number, description, device BS, type, rating, kA and the RCD fields. Anything it isn't sure of is marked "check" for you to confirm. Then go down each row and correct what you need to. It doesn't do 3-phase boards, and it needs signal. With no signal, fill in the rows by hand or take the photo later.
7. Test results, as you take them
Type each reading in as you measure it, circuit by circuit:
- Ring final circuits only: end-to-end ring continuity, r1 (line), rn (neutral) and r2 (cpc). Leave the ring columns empty on radial and lighting circuits.
- Every circuit: (R1 + R2) or R2, the insulation resistance test voltage with the live–live and live–earth results, polarity, and the maximum measured Zs.
- Where fitted: the RCD disconnection time and test button operation, and the AFDD manual test button.
Calculations fill in for you, but they're never locked, so you can change anything. There's no mic on reading boxes, on purpose, so readings are always typed.
8. The inspection schedule, item by item
Every item on the schedule of inspection starts blank. Go through it and give each item an outcome yourself: ✓ (acceptable), C1 or C2 (unacceptable), C3, FI, N/V (not verified), LIM (limitation) or N/A. Nothing is ticked for you, because the outcome is your judgement on what you saw.
9. Observations, with a code for each
For each problem, write what you found and where, with the schedule reference, then give it a code. On the A4:2026 form, C1 and C2 observations go in one part of Section K, and C3 and FI observations go in another. Long observations are where talk to text saves the most typing. Not sure which code to use? See EICR codes C1, C2, C3 and FI explained.
10. Overall assessment and next inspection
If there's any C1 or C2, the overall assessment is unsatisfactory. C3 and FI observations are advisory and don't affect the overall assessment on their own. Add the general condition of the installation, the date you recommend for the next inspection and the reason for it.
11. Declaration and signatures
Sign as the person who did the inspection and testing, and as the person who authorised the report for issue, if that's someone else. Both can be the same person on a one-person firm.
12. Point 5 checks, then Issue
Tap Issue. Point 5 checks catch incomplete items before you issue, so you fix them while you're still at the property. Then ZipCert builds the branded PDF on your phone, with your logo. With no signal, Issue queues and retries, and shows a "waiting" note until you're back in signal. Trial accounts can issue certs with no signal, numbered straight away.
Tips for doing EICRs on a phone
- Take the board photo first, while you have signal, then do the readings with or without signal.
- One board at a time. Finish a board's schedule before you start the next, so readings don't end up on the wrong line.
- Talk, don't type, for words. Use the mic for limitations, observations and remarks. Type the numbers.
- Write the limitations before the readings. It's harder to remember what you couldn't get to at the end of the day.
- Check every "check". Board photo fill marks what it isn't sure of, but you're the one who signs.
What the app does, and what stays with you
ZipCert helps you capture the report and build the PDF. It doesn't tick inspection items, choose codes or set the overall outcome. The codes, the outcome and the sign-off stay with you, the competent person. The EICR is built to the A4:2026 model form layout. ZipCert isn't approved or endorsed by NICEIC or NAPIT: schemes assess the certificate's content, not the software brand.
Also in ZipCert: the EIC and Minor Works. EV charge point, solar PV, fire alarm, emergency lighting and PAT records are also included.
See it working: the EICR app for no-signal jobs · Board photo fill · Talk to text · a sample EICR
FAQ
Can you do a full EICR on a phone?
Yes. Use a certificate app built to the BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 model form and fill it in at the board as you go: supply, boards, test results, the inspection schedule, observations and codes, then the overall assessment and your signature. ZipCert runs in your phone's browser from the home screen, and you tap Issue for a branded PDF.
Does ZipCert work with no signal?
Yes, once ZipCert is open. You can fill in your EICR with no signal and it syncs when you're back in signal. If you tap Issue with no signal, it queues, retries and shows a "waiting" note until you're back in signal. Board photo fill needs signal.
Does the app tick the inspection schedule for me?
No. Every item on the schedule of inspection starts blank. You give each item an outcome yourself: a tick, C1, C2, C3, FI, N/V, LIM or N/A. ZipCert doesn't choose codes or set the overall outcome.
Do I fill in rn for every circuit?
No. r1, rn and r2 are the ring final circuit continuity readings, so they only apply to ring finals. On radial and lighting circuits, leave the ring columns empty and record (R1 + R2) or R2.
Can I copy last time's EICR for the same property?
Yes. Copy from a previous cert to bring across the client and installation address, the supply and earthing (with Ze and Ipf marked to re-check), and the boards and circuit list without readings. Inspection answers and observations aren't copied, and test readings, signatures and dates are never copied. ZipCert can't import certificates from other apps.
How much does it cost to try?
Nothing. ZipCert has a 14-day free trial, no card. After that, Solo is £15 a month or £150 a year, with no VAT added.
Try it on your next EICR. 14-day free trial, no card.
Written by ZipCert, which makes an electrical certificate app. Check BS 7671 and your scheme's guidance for anything you're unsure of.