Using FieldPulse Offline

Overview

FieldPulse Mobile is designed to function in areas with limited or no cellular connectivity. This article describes what features remain available offline, how data is stored locally, and what actions require reconnection.

What Works Offline

The following core capabilities remain accessible when your device lacks network access:

Viewing assigned work orders and their full detail
Updating work order status (e.g., In Transit, On Site, Complete)
Completing checklists and forms
Capturing photos and signatures (stored locally)
Adding notes and time entries
Viewing customer and location information

What Requires Connectivity

These functions are unavailable until your device reconnects:

Receiving new work order assignments
Route optimization and live map updates
Push notifications
Real-time technician tracking
Inventory reservations and lookups
Syncing completed data to the server

Local Data Storage

Data captured offline is encrypted and stored in your device's local database. Storage capacity varies by device but typically accommodates 2–4 weeks of active field work. The app will display a warning when local storage approaches 80% capacity.

Note: Photos consume significant storage. Configure Photo Compression in Settings > Mobile Data to reduce local storage requirements.

Sync Behavior on Reconnection

When connectivity is restored, FieldPulse automatically initiates sync. This process:

Uploads locally stored changes (status updates, photos, forms)
Downloads new assignments and updates made by dispatchers
Resolves any conflicts between local and server states

For detailed sync behavior, see Syncing Data When You Reconnect.

Enabling Offline Mode

Offline mode activates automatically when the app detects no network. To verify status:

Open the main menu (three lines, upper left)
Observe the connectivity indicator at the bottom
Offline appears in amber when operating without connectivity

Limitations and Considerations

Extended offline operation requires attention to the following:

Scenario	Behavior
Work order reassigned while offline	Original assignment remains visible; conflict resolved on sync
Two technicians edit same order offline	Last-write-wins for most fields; checklists merge if possible
Device battery dies before sync	Data persists locally; sync resumes on next launch
App uninstalled before sync	Local data lost; not recoverable

Troubleshooting Offline Issues

If expected data does not appear while offline:

Verify the work order was assigned before connectivity was lost
Check that Auto-Download Assignments is enabled in Settings
Force a manual sync before entering known dead zones: Settings > Sync Now

For sync failure issues, refer to Mobile App Not Syncing Work Orders After Update.