Choose the workflows that must work offline
Field teams may lose connectivity while recording a visit, collecting delivery details, or capturing a photograph. Start by identifying the actions that must remain available without a connection. Some tasks can be saved locally, while actions such as confirming a live balance may need a server response.
Separate local work from confirmed server state
A locally saved record is not yet a server-confirmed record. Show understandable statuses such as saved on device, waiting to sync, synchronized, or needs attention. Keep the original local record until the server acknowledges receipt.
Assign a stable client-generated identifier to each queued operation so a retry does not create another visit or delivery record. Keep uploads and record creation coordinated, particularly when photographs are part of the evidence.
Plan for conflicting edits
Two devices can update the same record while disconnected. Define a policy for each workflow. A draft note may allow a simple merge, while changing an approved order may require the user to review the current server version. Silently replacing business-critical data can hide mistakes.
- Handle expired sessions without discarding unsynchronized work.
- Protect locally stored information appropriate to its sensitivity.
- Let users retry failed synchronization and understand the reason for failure.
- Test reconnecting, repeated taps, application restarts, and partial uploads.
Make recovery part of the design
An offline feature is complete when users can recover from interruptions. Clear status and safe retries often matter more than making every screen available without internet access.