diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/geoip/geoip.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/geoip/geoip.go
index 4a506a3..21d4ea5 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/geoip/geoip.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/geoip/geoip.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/root"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/output"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 )
 
 func init() {
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ func dogeoip(config dogeoipconfig) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	engine, err := probeCLI.NewProbeEngine(context.Background())
+	engine, err := probeCLI.NewProbeEngine(context.Background(), model.RunTypeManual)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/root/root.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/root/root.go
index df4b387..0d9960a 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/root/root.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/root/root.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func init() {
 
 	softwareName := Cmd.Flag(
 		"software-name", "Override application name",
-	).Default("ooniprobe-cli").String()
+	).Default(ooni.DefaultSoftwareName).String()
 	softwareVersion := Cmd.Flag(
 		"software-version", "Override the application version",
 	).Default(version.Version).String()
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/run/run.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/run/run.go
index e0e827d..2418e4f 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/run/run.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/run/run.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/cli/root"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 )
 
 func init() {
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ func init() {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	functionalRun := func(runType string, pred func(name string, gr nettests.Group) bool) error {
+	functionalRun := func(runType model.RunType, pred func(name string, gr nettests.Group) bool) error {
 		for name, group := range nettests.All {
 			if !pred(name, group) {
 				continue
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ func init() {
 
 	genRunWithGroupName := func(targetName string) func(*kingpin.ParseContext) error {
 		return func(*kingpin.ParseContext) error {
-			return functionalRun("manual", func(groupName string, gr nettests.Group) bool {
+			return functionalRun(model.RunTypeManual, func(groupName string, gr nettests.Group) bool {
 				return groupName == targetName
 			})
 		}
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ func init() {
 			Probe:      probe,
 			InputFiles: *inputFile,
 			Inputs:     *input,
-			RunType:    "manual",
+			RunType:    model.RunTypeManual,
 		})
 	})
 
@@ -80,14 +81,14 @@ func init() {
 
 	unattendedCmd := cmd.Command("unattended", "")
 	unattendedCmd.Action(func(_ *kingpin.ParseContext) error {
-		return functionalRun("timed", func(name string, gr nettests.Group) bool {
+		return functionalRun(model.RunTypeTimed, func(name string, gr nettests.Group) bool {
 			return gr.UnattendedOK
 		})
 	})
 
 	allCmd := cmd.Command("all", "").Default()
 	allCmd.Action(func(_ *kingpin.ParseContext) error {
-		return functionalRun("manual", func(name string, gr nettests.Group) bool {
+		return functionalRun(model.RunTypeManual, func(name string, gr nettests.Group) bool {
 			return true
 		})
 	})
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests.go
index 1756118..3531478 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests.go
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ type Controller struct {
 	Inputs []string
 
 	// RunType contains the run_type hint for the CheckIn API. If
-	// not set, the underlying code defaults to "timed".
-	RunType string
+	// not set, the underlying code defaults to model.RunTypeTimed.
+	RunType model.RunType
 
 	// numInputs is the total number of inputs
 	numInputs int
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func (c *Controller) Run(builder *engine.ExperimentBuilder, inputs []string) err
 	}
 
 	maxRuntime := time.Duration(c.Probe.Config().Nettests.WebsitesMaxRuntime) * time.Second
-	if c.RunType == "timed" && maxRuntime > 0 {
+	if c.RunType == model.RunTypeTimed && maxRuntime > 0 {
 		log.Debug("disabling maxRuntime when running in the background")
 		maxRuntime = 0
 	}
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ func (c *Controller) OnProgress(perc float64, msg string) {
 	maxRuntime := time.Duration(c.Probe.Config().Nettests.WebsitesMaxRuntime) * time.Second
 	_, isWebConnectivity := c.nt.(WebConnectivity)
 	userProvidedInput := len(c.Inputs) > 0 || len(c.InputFiles) > 0
-	if c.RunType == "manual" && maxRuntime > 0 && isWebConnectivity && !userProvidedInput {
+	if c.RunType == model.RunTypeManual && maxRuntime > 0 && isWebConnectivity && !userProvidedInput {
 		elapsed := time.Since(c.ntStartTime)
 		perc = float64(elapsed) / float64(maxRuntime)
 		eta := maxRuntime.Seconds() - elapsed.Seconds()
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests_test.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests_test.go
index 71a026b..5f6ba9c 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests_test.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/nettests_test.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/database"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 )
 
 func copyfile(source, dest string) error {
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ func TestCreateContext(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 	probe := newOONIProbe(t)
-	sess, err := probe.NewSession(context.Background())
+	sess, err := probe.NewSession(context.Background(), model.RunTypeManual)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/run.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/run.go
index 137a6b6..158ef74 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/run.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/nettests/run.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/apex/log"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/database"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
 
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ type RunGroupConfig struct {
 	InputFiles []string
 	Inputs     []string
 	Probe      *ooni.Probe
-	RunType    string // hint for check-in API
+	RunType    model.RunType // hint for check-in API
 }
 
 const websitesURLLimitRemoved = `WARNING: CONFIGURATION CHANGE REQUIRED:
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ func RunGroup(config RunGroupConfig) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	sess, err := config.Probe.NewSession(context.Background())
+	sess, err := config.Probe.NewSession(context.Background(), config.RunType)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithError(err).Error("Failed to create a measurement session")
 		return err
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni/ooni.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni/ooni.go
index 6dd978d..c79d8aa 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni/ooni.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni/ooni.go
@@ -17,10 +17,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/engine"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/engine/legacy/assetsdir"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/kvstore"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"upper.io/db.v3/lib/sqlbuilder"
 )
 
+// DefaultSoftwareName is the default software name.
+const DefaultSoftwareName = "ooniprobe-cli"
+
 // ProbeCLI is the OONI Probe CLI context.
 type ProbeCLI interface {
 	Config() *config.Config
@@ -28,7 +32,7 @@ type ProbeCLI interface {
 	IsBatch() bool
 	Home() string
 	TempDir() string
-	NewProbeEngine(ctx context.Context) (ProbeEngine, error)
+	NewProbeEngine(ctx context.Context, runType model.RunType) (ProbeEngine, error)
 }
 
 // ProbeEngine is an instance of the OONI Probe engine.
@@ -199,7 +203,7 @@ func (p *Probe) Init(softwareName, softwareVersion string) error {
 // NewSession creates a new ooni/probe-engine session using the
 // current configuration inside the context. The caller must close
 // the session when done using it, by calling sess.Close().
-func (p *Probe) NewSession(ctx context.Context) (*engine.Session, error) {
+func (p *Probe) NewSession(ctx context.Context, runType model.RunType) (*engine.Session, error) {
 	kvstore, err := kvstore.NewFS(
 		utils.EngineDir(p.home),
 	)
@@ -209,10 +213,18 @@ func (p *Probe) NewSession(ctx context.Context) (*engine.Session, error) {
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(p.tunnelDir, 0700); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "creating tunnel dir")
 	}
+	// When the software name is the default software name and we're running
+	// in unattended mode, adjust the software name accordingly.
+	//
+	// See https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/2081.
+	softwareName := p.softwareName
+	if runType == model.RunTypeTimed && softwareName == DefaultSoftwareName {
+		softwareName = DefaultSoftwareName + "-unattended"
+	}
 	return engine.NewSession(ctx, engine.SessionConfig{
 		KVStore:         kvstore,
 		Logger:          enginex.Logger,
-		SoftwareName:    p.softwareName,
+		SoftwareName:    softwareName,
 		SoftwareVersion: p.softwareVersion,
 		TempDir:         p.tempDir,
 		TunnelDir:       p.tunnelDir,
@@ -220,8 +232,8 @@ func (p *Probe) NewSession(ctx context.Context) (*engine.Session, error) {
 }
 
 // NewProbeEngine creates a new ProbeEngine instance.
-func (p *Probe) NewProbeEngine(ctx context.Context) (ProbeEngine, error) {
-	sess, err := p.NewSession(ctx)
+func (p *Probe) NewProbeEngine(ctx context.Context, runType model.RunType) (ProbeEngine, error) {
+	sess, err := p.NewSession(ctx, runType)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/oonitest/oonitest.go b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/oonitest/oonitest.go
index 555b620..78a43e8 100644
--- a/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/oonitest/oonitest.go
+++ b/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/oonitest/oonitest.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/apex/log"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/config"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/cmd/ooniprobe/internal/ooni"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 	"upper.io/db.v3/lib/sqlbuilder"
 )
 
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ func (cli *FakeProbeCLI) TempDir() string {
 }
 
 // NewProbeEngine implements ProbeCLI.NewProbeEngine
-func (cli *FakeProbeCLI) NewProbeEngine(ctx context.Context) (ooni.ProbeEngine, error) {
+func (cli *FakeProbeCLI) NewProbeEngine(ctx context.Context, runType model.RunType) (ooni.ProbeEngine, error) {
 	return cli.FakeProbeEnginePtr, cli.FakeProbeEngineErr
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/miniooni/libminiooni.go b/internal/cmd/miniooni/libminiooni.go
index 5e39bf4..0c78bc8 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/miniooni/libminiooni.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/miniooni/libminiooni.go
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ func MainWithConfiguration(experimentName string, currentOptions Options) {
 
 	inputLoader := &engine.InputLoader{
 		CheckInConfig: &model.OOAPICheckInConfig{
-			RunType:  "manual",
+			RunType:  model.RunTypeManual,
 			OnWiFi:   true, // meaning: not on 4G
 			Charging: true,
 		},
diff --git a/internal/engine/probeservices/checkin_test.go b/internal/engine/probeservices/checkin_test.go
index b61214f..63c9450 100644
--- a/internal/engine/probeservices/checkin_test.go
+++ b/internal/engine/probeservices/checkin_test.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func TestCheckInSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 		Platform:        "android",
 		ProbeASN:        "AS12353",
 		ProbeCC:         "PT",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: model.OOAPICheckInConfigWebConnectivity{
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestCheckInFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		Platform:        "android",
 		ProbeASN:        "AS12353",
 		ProbeCC:         "PT",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: model.OOAPICheckInConfigWebConnectivity{
diff --git a/internal/engine/session.go b/internal/engine/session.go
index c5dd155..b0e3bdb 100644
--- a/internal/engine/session.go
+++ b/internal/engine/session.go
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ func (s *Session) KibiBytesSent() float64 {
 //
 // - ProbeCC: if empty, set to Session.ProbeCC();
 //
-// - RunType: if empty, set to "timed";
+// - RunType: if empty, set to model.RunTypeTimed;
 //
 // - SoftwareName: if empty, set to Session.SoftwareName();
 //
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ func (s *Session) CheckIn(
 		config.ProbeCC = s.ProbeCC()
 	}
 	if config.RunType == "" {
-		config.RunType = "timed" // most conservative choice
+		config.RunType = model.RunTypeTimed // most conservative choice
 	}
 	if config.SoftwareName == "" {
 		config.SoftwareName = s.SoftwareName()
diff --git a/internal/engine/session_internal_test.go b/internal/engine/session_internal_test.go
index 19e102a..04fc63d 100644
--- a/internal/engine/session_internal_test.go
+++ b/internal/engine/session_internal_test.go
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ func TestSessionCheckInSuccessful(t *testing.T) {
 	if mockedClnt.Config.ProbeCC != "IT" {
 		t.Fatal("invalid Config.ProbeCC")
 	}
-	if mockedClnt.Config.RunType != "timed" {
+	if mockedClnt.Config.RunType != model.RunTypeTimed {
 		t.Fatal("invalid Config.RunType")
 	}
 	if mockedClnt.Config.SoftwareName != "miniooni" {
diff --git a/internal/model/ooapi.go b/internal/model/ooapi.go
index 6d43433..5ee2f79 100644
--- a/internal/model/ooapi.go
+++ b/internal/model/ooapi.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ type OOAPICheckInConfig struct {
 	Platform        string                            `json:"platform"`         // Platform of the probe
 	ProbeASN        string                            `json:"probe_asn"`        // ProbeASN is the probe country code
 	ProbeCC         string                            `json:"probe_cc"`         // ProbeCC is the probe country code
-	RunType         string                            `json:"run_type"`         // RunType
+	RunType         RunType                           `json:"run_type"`         // RunType
 	SoftwareName    string                            `json:"software_name"`    // SoftwareName of the probe
 	SoftwareVersion string                            `json:"software_version"` // SoftwareVersion of the probe
 	WebConnectivity OOAPICheckInConfigWebConnectivity `json:"web_connectivity"` // WebConnectivity class contain an array of categories
diff --git a/internal/model/runtype.go b/internal/model/runtype.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35af5b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/model/runtype.go
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+package model
+
+// RunType describes the type of a ooniprobe run.
+type RunType string
+
+const (
+	// RunTypeManual indicates that the user manually run `ooniprobe run`. Command
+	// line tools such as miniooni should always use this run type.
+	RunTypeManual = RunType("manual")
+
+	// RunTypeTimed indicates that the user run `ooniprobe run unattended`, which
+	// is the correct way to run ooniprobe from scripts and cronjobs.
+	RunTypeTimed = RunType("timed")
+)
diff --git a/internal/ooapi/apimodel/checkin.go b/internal/ooapi/apimodel/checkin.go
index 8df8085..d6cd16e 100644
--- a/internal/ooapi/apimodel/checkin.go
+++ b/internal/ooapi/apimodel/checkin.go
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package apimodel
 
+import "github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
+
 // CheckInRequestWebConnectivity contains WebConnectivity
 // specific parameters to include into CheckInRequest
 type CheckInRequestWebConnectivity struct {
@@ -13,7 +15,7 @@ type CheckInRequest struct {
 	Platform        string                        `json:"platform"`
 	ProbeASN        string                        `json:"probe_asn"`
 	ProbeCC         string                        `json:"probe_cc"`
-	RunType         string                        `json:"run_type"`
+	RunType         model.RunType                 `json:"run_type"`
 	SoftwareName    string                        `json:"software_name"`
 	SoftwareVersion string                        `json:"software_version"`
 	WebConnectivity CheckInRequestWebConnectivity `json:"web_connectivity"`
diff --git a/internal/ooapi/example_test.go b/internal/ooapi/example_test.go
index 4cb6eb2..0b9c194 100644
--- a/internal/ooapi/example_test.go
+++ b/internal/ooapi/example_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"log"
 
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/kvstore"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/ooapi"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/ooapi/apimodel"
 )
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ func ExampleClient() {
 		Platform:        "linux",
 		ProbeASN:        "AS30722",
 		ProbeCC:         "IT",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "miniooni",
 		SoftwareVersion: "0.1.0-dev",
 		WebConnectivity: apimodel.CheckInRequestWebConnectivity{
diff --git a/internal/ooapi/integration_test.go b/internal/ooapi/integration_test.go
index 3a7c1a0..0fca2f7 100644
--- a/internal/ooapi/integration_test.go
+++ b/internal/ooapi/integration_test.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/kvstore"
+	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/model"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/ooapi"
 	"github.com/ooni/probe-cli/v3/internal/ooapi/apimodel"
 )
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ func TestWithRealServerDoCheckIn(t *testing.T) {
 		Platform:        "android",
 		ProbeASN:        "AS12353",
 		ProbeCC:         "IT",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: apimodel.CheckInRequestWebConnectivity{
diff --git a/pkg/oonimkall/session.go b/pkg/oonimkall/session.go
index 955ccfb..fdbca43 100644
--- a/pkg/oonimkall/session.go
+++ b/pkg/oonimkall/session.go
@@ -364,9 +364,9 @@ type CheckInConfig struct {
 	// Platform is the mobile platform (e.g. "android")
 	Platform string
 
-	// RunType indicates whether this is an automated ("timed") run
+	// RunType indicates whether this is an automated (model.RunTypeTimed) run
 	// or otherwise a manual run initiated by the user.
-	RunType string
+	RunType model.RunType
 
 	// SoftwareName is the name of the application.
 	SoftwareName string
diff --git a/pkg/oonimkall/session_integration_test.go b/pkg/oonimkall/session_integration_test.go
index 8faf935..70af283 100644
--- a/pkg/oonimkall/session_integration_test.go
+++ b/pkg/oonimkall/session_integration_test.go
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ func TestCheckInSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 		Charging:        true,
 		OnWiFi:          true,
 		Platform:        "android",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: &oonimkall.CheckInConfigWebConnectivity{},
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ func TestCheckInLookupLocationFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		Charging:        true,
 		OnWiFi:          true,
 		Platform:        "android",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: &oonimkall.CheckInConfigWebConnectivity{},
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ func TestCheckInNewProbeServicesFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		Charging:        true,
 		OnWiFi:          true,
 		Platform:        "android",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: &oonimkall.CheckInConfigWebConnectivity{},
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ func TestCheckInCheckInFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		Charging:        true,
 		OnWiFi:          true,
 		Platform:        "android",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 		WebConnectivity: &oonimkall.CheckInConfigWebConnectivity{},
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ func TestCheckInNoParams(t *testing.T) {
 		Charging:        true,
 		OnWiFi:          true,
 		Platform:        "android",
-		RunType:         "timed",
+		RunType:         model.RunTypeTimed,
 		SoftwareName:    "ooniprobe-android",
 		SoftwareVersion: "2.7.1",
 	}