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Offline mode

Field work does not stop when your signal does. With offline mode, technicians can continue viewing jobs, updating statuses, adding notes, and capturing photos — even in basements, rural areas, or buildings with no connectivity. Your data syncs automatically when you reconnect.

Pro feature

Offline mode is available on the Pro plan (and Enterprise, which includes all Pro features). On the Free plan, an active internet connection is required to use the mobile app.

How offline mode works

When the app detects that your device has lost internet connectivity, it switches to offline mode automatically. You do not need to toggle anything — it just works.

State What happens
Online All changes sync to the server in real time.
Offline Changes are saved to your device and queued for sync.
Reconnecting Queued changes are sent to the server automatically. 
flowchart LR
    A[Online] -- Connection lost --> B[Offline]
    B -- Changes saved locally --> B
    B -- Connection restored --> C[Syncing]
    C -- All changes sent --> A

What you can do offline

Most day-to-day technician actions work without an internet connection.

Action Available offline
View assigned jobs
View job details and description
Update job status
Add notes to a job
Capture and attach photos
Log parts used on a job
Record asset meter readings
Navigate to job sites (cached maps)
View van stock
Receive new job assignments
Send or receive chat messages
Scan barcodes (lookup)
View real-time notifications

Download your schedule before you leave

Open the Jobs tab while you still have connectivity. The app caches your assigned jobs so they are available if you go offline later.

Sync status indicators

The app shows clear visual indicators so you always know your sync status.

Indicator Meaning
Green cloud All data is synced and up to date.
Gray cloud with line You are offline. Changes are being saved locally.
Spinning cloud Sync is in progress — your queued changes are being sent.
Orange cloud One or more changes could not sync. Tap for details.

You can also view a detailed sync log by opening Account → Sync Status, which shows each queued change and whether it has been sent.

How syncing works when you reconnect

When your device regains connectivity:

  1. The app detects the connection and begins syncing automatically.
  2. Queued changes are sent in the order they were made.
  3. New data from the server (such as newly assigned jobs or dispatcher notes) is downloaded.
  4. The sync status indicator updates to confirm completion.

You do not need to tap a button or take any action — the process is fully automatic.

Sync over Wi-Fi and mobile data

The app syncs over both Wi-Fi and cellular connections. If you want to limit syncing to Wi-Fi only (for example, to conserve data), you can adjust this in Account → Preferences → Sync settings.

Conflict resolution

In rare cases, two people may edit the same job while one or both are offline. FSM Navigator handles conflicts automatically.

Scenario Resolution
You and a dispatcher both update the same job The most recent change wins, and the earlier change is preserved in the job history.
You change a status offline and the dispatcher changes it on the web The server applies both changes in sequence based on timestamps.
A job is cancelled while you are offline When you sync, the app notifies you that the job was cancelled and your offline changes are archived.

Conflicts are rare

In practice, conflicts almost never happen because technicians and dispatchers typically work on different fields of a job. The system preserves a full history of every change, so nothing is lost.

Best practices for offline work

  1. Open your schedule before leaving the office. This ensures your assigned jobs are cached on your device.
  2. Sync before starting your day. Verify the green cloud icon appears so you have the latest assignments.
  3. Take photos while offline. Photos are stored on your device and uploaded when you reconnect — no special steps needed.
  4. Don't worry about battery life. Offline mode uses less battery than constantly searching for a connection.
  5. Check sync status at the end of the day. Make sure all changes have been sent before closing the app.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I work offline?

There is no time limit. You can work offline for hours or even days. All changes are queued and sent when you reconnect. However, your cached job data does not update until you sync, so very long offline periods may mean working with slightly outdated information.

Are photos saved if I close the app while offline?

Yes. Photos and all other offline changes are saved to persistent storage on your device. They survive app restarts and device reboots.

What happens if my device runs out of storage?

If your device storage is critically low, the app warns you and may limit photo capture. Free up space by removing unused apps or media to ensure offline mode works reliably.

Can I force a sync?

Yes. Pull down on any list screen to manually trigger a sync attempt. You can also go to Account → Sync Status and tap Sync Now.

Will I lose my changes if I uninstall the app?

Yes — uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data, including any changes that have not yet synced. Always verify that the sync status shows the green cloud icon before uninstalling.