This article explains how to enable Offline Mode in the Tractian mobile app, run field activities without a connection, and sync your actions once you're back in an area with internet. Use this guide whenever you need to work in locations with weak or unstable signal, such as industrial plants, basements, and remote areas.
Before you start
To use Offline Mode safely, make sure of the following:
You're logged into the Tractian app on your mobile device.
The app is updated to the latest version available in your app store.
You have a stable internet connection before entering the area without signal — this is when the data is downloaded to your device.
You have permission to execute Work Orders and create Requests in your account. Without those permissions, Offline Mode won't enable those actions.
Important: Offline Mode only works with the data downloaded during the initial sync with internet. If you enable the mode without completing the initial sync, you won't be able to perform actions in the field.
What Offline Mode is and when to use it
Offline Mode lets you continue executing Work Orders, creating requests, and filling out procedures even without an internet connection. Your actions are saved locally on the device and automatically sent to the server once you're back online.
Use Offline Mode in the following situations:
You're about to enter an area with no signal (basement, shielded area, remote plant).
You're about to work in an area where internet fluctuates between good and bad. In these cases, Offline Mode prevents freezes caused by partial syncs.
You need to perform several actions in sequence and don't want to depend on the connection at every step.
When not to use it:
You're in an area with stable internet. Working online avoids the risk of sync conflicts.
You'll need to use the app for more than 2.5 hours straight without a connection.
Step 1: Download data before going to the field
Before entering the area without signal, open the app on stable internet and wait for the initial sync to finish.
Open the Tractian app on your device.
On the Overview screen, look for the "Updating data" notice just below the title.
Wait for the notice to disappear completely before proceeding. This means all the necessary information (assets, work orders, procedures, requests) has been saved on the device.
💡 Tip: if you usually work on the same assets, open the app in the parking lot or in a Wi-Fi area before heading down to the plant floor. This ensures the data is fresh.
Step 2: Enable Offline Mode
Once the data has been downloaded, manually enable offline mode.
On the bottom menu of the app, tap Menu.
From the list of options, tap Settings.
Scroll down to the Connectivity block.
Turn on the switch next to Offline Mode.
Result: a blue banner with the text "You are offline" will appear at the top of the screen. This banner stays visible while the mode is active and confirms that the app is using local data only.
Step 3: Run your field activities
With Offline Mode active, you can work normally. The following actions are available:
Execute Work Orders (change status, fill out procedure fields, log time).
Create new Requests.
Fill out procedures and checklists in existing Work Orders.
As you perform these actions, they are saved in a local queue on the device until you're back online.
Warning: do not close the app while in Offline Mode. You can minimize it to use other apps, but if Tractian is fully closed (via the task switcher or after a phone restart), pending actions that haven't been sent yet will be lost and won't be available when you reopen the app.
Step 4: Track your pending actions
You can check at any time which actions have been recorded during offline use and what their status is.
Tap Menu on the bottom menu.
Tap Settings.
In the Connectivity block, tap Offline Actions.
On the Offline Actions screen, actions are organized into tabs:
Tab | What it shows |
All | All actions recorded during the offline period, regardless of status. |
Pending | Actions already recorded on the device but not yet sent to the server. |
Conflicts | Actions that conflicted with changes made by another user or by the server itself. They need manual review. |
Errors | Actions that failed during upload. They usually require a retry or correction. |
Sent | Actions already successfully synced with the server. |
Step 5: Sync once you're back in an area with internet
When you return to a location with stable connection, send the accumulated data to the server.
Tap Menu on the bottom menu.
Tap Settings.
In the Connectivity block, turn off the Offline Mode switch.
The upload starts automatically. The message "Saving updates made offline" will appear on the Offline Actions screen.
Wait without closing the app. Keep it open until the message disappears.
Go to Menu > Settings > Offline Actions and confirm:
a) All actions are now in the Sent tab.
b) The Conflicts and Errors tabs are empty.
Result: after syncing, all your actions will be recorded on the server and visible to the rest of your team on the web platform and in the app.
Important: if you have actions in the Conflicts or Errors tabs, resolve them before starting a new offline session. Unresolved actions may be lost if you accumulate new pending items on top of them.
Usage limits and recommendations
To ensure a smooth sync, follow these practical limits:
Recommendation | Why |
Use Offline Mode for no more than 2.5 hours per session. | Beyond that, the volume of pending data increases the risk of conflicts and upload failures. |
Sync every time you're back online, even if you're about to go offline again shortly after. | Clearing the queue frequently reduces the impact of any failure. |
Don't close the app during the entire offline period. | Data that hasn't been sent yet stays in temporary memory and can be lost. |
Keep enough battery or carry a portable charger. | If the phone shuts down before syncing, actions can be lost. |
Frequently asked questions
Why is the "Offline Mode" button grayed out or not responding when I tap it?
This usually happens because the initial data sync hasn't finished yet, or there was a connection failure during the sync.
To fix it:
Check that you have an internet connection.
Go back to the Overview screen.
Pull the screen down to force a refresh.
Wait for the "Updating data" notice to disappear.
Try enabling Offline Mode again.
I enabled Offline Mode, but the blue "You are offline" banner doesn't appear. What should I do?
The app didn't confirm the state change, usually because of a momentary glitch.
To fix it:
Go back to the Settings screen.
Turn the Offline Mode switch off and on again.
If that doesn't work, minimize the app, reopen it, and try again.
I have actions in the "Conflicts" tab. What does that mean and how do I resolve them?
A conflict happens when someone modified the same Work Order or Request while you were offline, or when the server already had a more recent version of that record.
To resolve it:
Open the Conflicts tab in Offline Actions.
Tap each action to see the conflict details.
Decide whether to keep your version or the server's version.
Confirm the resolution so the action leaves the tab.
I accidentally closed the app during offline use. Did I lose everything?
Not necessarily. Actions already shown in the Pending or Sent tabs are preserved, because they had already been saved locally. Actions in progress at the time of closing (for example, a procedure opened but not finished) will need to be redone, because they were still in temporary memory.
Before starting a new session, go to Menu > Settings > Offline Actions to check exactly what was preserved.
The sync is stuck on "Saving updates made offline". What should I do?
Your current connection is probably unstable and the batch upload failed midway.
To fix it:
Check your connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
Keep the app open in the foreground for a few more minutes.
If the issue persists after 10 minutes, close and reopen the app. Actions already transferred will be in the Sent tab, and the rest will go back to Pending for a retry.