Offline Mode
Working Offline with ANVL
Job sites often lack reliable internet. ANVL's offline mode lets you work seamlessly even without connectivity. Changes sync automatically when you reconnect.
How Offline Mode Works
When you lose internet connection, the app automatically switches to offline mode. You can still view your jobs, take photos, send messages, and update job status. All changes are queued locally. When you reconnect to the internet, changes automatically sync to ANVL servers.
What You Can Do Offline
- View jobs, clients, and invoices (previously loaded data). - Take and upload photos (stored locally until sync). - Update job status and add notes. - Compose and send messages (queued until sync). - View client contact info and past messages. - Access your profile and settings. You can't access data you haven't previously loaded, but all your active jobs and recent data are available offline.
Offline Indicators
The app shows when you're offline: a notification at the top of the screen says "Offline" or "Syncing." You'll see a refresh icon next to items with pending changes. This is visual confirmation of your connectivity status.
Taking Photos Offline
One of the best offline features: take photos without internet. Open a job, tap "Add Photos," and take as many as you need. Photos are stored on your phone locally. When you reconnect to the internet, they sync to ANVL automatically. This is crucial for job site documentation.
Updating Job Status Offline
Change a job from "In Progress" to "Completed" offline. The status changes locally immediately. When you reconnect, the status syncs to the server and is visible on the web version and to your team.
Messaging Offline
Compose messages to clients while offline. They're queued and sent when you reconnect. Clients see the sent time as when you reconnected, not when you composed it. For time-sensitive communication, wait to connect before sending critical messages.
Syncing Your Changes
When you reconnect to the internet, syncing happens automatically—no action needed. The app shows "Syncing..." briefly, then "Synced." Any pending photos, messages, status changes, or notes are now in the system and visible everywhere.
Queued Messages
Messages in the queue show a clock icon indicating they're pending send. Once synced, they show a checkmark. You can see the queue in Settings > Pending Changes. If you want to delete a queued message before it sends, do so before the app syncs.
Offline Data Limits
The app stores data for your recent jobs and contacts locally. If you have many jobs or a huge client list, not everything may be available offline. But all your active jobs and recent data are cached for offline access. You can manually download specific jobs for full offline access if needed.
Battery and Data Considerations
Offline mode doesn't drain battery searching for internet. The app works normally. When you reconnect via WiFi or cellular, syncing happens quickly. This saves data and battery, which is important on job sites.
Conflict Resolution
If you change the same job on mobile and desktop while offline, ANVL detects the conflict when you sync. It keeps the most recent change and notifies you. This rarely happens, but it's handled automatically.
Long Offline Periods
If you're offline for hours or days, the app continues working. When you reconnect, all pending changes sync. Messages queue and send, photos upload, status updates sync. Everything catches up when you reconnect.
Cellular vs. WiFi
The app works on both cellular and WiFi. If you're in an area with no signal, switch to airplane mode to stop the app searching for connection. Work offline normally, then turn off airplane mode to sync when you have signal again.