Work offline and sync mobile changes
When the device has no internet connection, the mobile app shows: You're offline. Changes will sync once you're online. With internet access, refresh the Visits screen before going offline so the app has the latest visit data. Continue only with work the app allows while offline.
If the device is online but its connection to Essential is slow or unreliable, the app shows: Your connection is unstable. Some actions may be slow. Changes continue to queue until the connection settles.
The app keeps the permissions and enabled features it last loaded for your account, including when you close and reopen it offline. Open the app while connected at least once before working offline. When the connection recovers while the app is open, it checks for access changes automatically.
Quote and invoice edits stay on the device while you work offline. Drafts you explicitly save appear in the job's quote or invoice list as Saved on device or Pending sync. A draft labeled Pending sync can still be edited.
You can save either kind of draft, and you can finalize an invoice for later syncing unless Essential still needs an online payment provider to calculate its sales tax. A finalized offline invoice is locked while it waits to sync. Turning a signed quote already stored on the device into a new invoice draft also works offline.
Reconnect before generating with AI, previewing a PDF, sending a document, using Mark Quote Signed, or collecting payment.
Cached visit details open immediately while the app checks for a newer version in the background. If a visit is not cached but the slow connection is still reachable, the app continues loading its details and saves them to the device. If the device has no connection, reconnect once before opening an uncached visit.
If you tap On My Way before the connection is stable, the app saves the attempt and shows Customer not notified. It tries the customer notification again after the connection stabilizes; an old en-route notification is not sent later.
You can publish an inspection report while offline. The report is saved on the device and publishes automatically when you reconnect, and its PDF appears in the job files at that point. Two things still need a connection: previewing the PDF before you publish, and emailing the report. A report published offline is not emailed to anyone, so publish while online when you need contacts to receive it. Some actions may be disabled until the device reconnects. When the app reconnects, it shows Syncing offline changes while queued changes are being sent.
Offline changes, including photos and files, are saved on the device for the signed-in user and business. You can close and reopen the app and continue with the same account. Another account on the device cannot see or send those changes.
After reconnecting, wait for syncing to finish before uninstalling the app, clearing app data, or switching devices. Offline work does not move automatically to another device.
Where to find it: Mobile app connection banner
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