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Offline Mode

The ContentsPal mobile app includes Offline Mode that allows you to continue documenting inventory even without internet. All photos and data are saved on your device and automatically upload to the cloud when you reconnect.

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Written by David Shapiro
Updated over a week ago

How Offline Mode Works

What happens when you go offline?

  1. Automatic Detection: The app detects when you're offline and switches to offline mode

  2. Local Storage: Photos and inventory data are saved on your device

  3. Automatic Upload: When you reconnect, everything uploads automatically in the background

  4. Visual Indicators: You'll see cloud-off icons indicating offline status

What can I do offline?

✅ You CAN:

  • Take photos of items

  • Scan QR codes and assign items to boxes/tags

  • View room details

  • Add job site and room photos

  • Set item properties (salvage category, cleaning category, quantity)

  • View and edit items you've photographed offline

  • Continue working on multiple jobs (if previously downloaded)

❌ You CANNOT:

  • View items that were created online

  • Invite organization members

  • Delete your account

  • Update profile settings

  • Access reports

  • Switch to jobs that weren't downloaded beforehand

Offline Camera Screen

The camera works the same way offline as it does online. You can:

  • Take photos with flash, zoom, and focus

  • Scan QR codes to assign items to boxes/tags

  • Use multi-item mode and box mode

  • Set salvage category, cleaning category, and quantity

  • Use the orientation guide

Offline Inventory Screen

When offline, go to the Job Report tab to see your offline inventory:

Job Information:

  • Current job name and status

  • Number of offline items

  • Number of rooms

What You Can Do:

  1. View Offline Items - See all items photographed while offline with thumbnail previews

  2. Edit Items - Tap any item to:

    • View full details

    • Add more photos

    • Change room, tag, or box

    • Update salvage/cleaning categories

    • Adjust quantity

  3. Add Job/Room Photos - Use the "Jobsite Photo" or "Manage Rooms" buttons

  4. Clear All Items - Delete all offline items if needed (requires confirmation)

"Offline" Tab in My Account

Switch from the Profile tab to the Offline tab to access these features:

Upload Status

See real-time progress when items are uploading:

  • Progress bar and upload counts

  • "View Queue" button to see what's uploading

  • Reminder to keep app open during uploads

Upload Progress Bar

Storage Information

  • See total storage used and number of files

  • "View Files" button to browse saved images

  • "Refresh" button to update statistics

Settings

Force Offline Mode

  • Prevent glitches when phone is switching between online and offline

  • Gives you control over if ContentsPal is in offline mode

  • No automatic uploads while enabled

Pause Autosync

  • Temporarily stop automatic uploads to save data or battery

  • Useful when you have slow cell service

  • Your photos and data stay safely stored on your device

  • Resume uploads anytime by turning this off

Offline Settings

Making Jobs Available Offline

To work on a job without internet, you need to download it to your device first:

  1. Go to the Jobs list while online

  2. Find the job you want to make available offline

  3. Tap the download icon on the right side (across from the timestamp)

  4. Wait for the download to complete

  5. The icon will change to show the job is now available offline

Make Job Available Offline

What Gets Saved to Your Device:

  • Job details (name, status, rooms)

  • All QR codes

  • Room information

Limits:

  • Keep it to 5 jobs or fewer for best performance

  • Remove jobs you're no longer working on

How Uploads Work

When you reconnect to the internet and open the app:

  1. Items automatically start uploading

  2. Boxes upload first, then individual items, then photos

  3. Failed uploads retry automatically

  4. Keep the app open until uploads complete

  5. Check the Offline tab under My Account to monitor progress

Note that files will not upload unless app is open

Important Dos and Don'ts

✅ DO:

  1. Stay Logged In - Logging out while online clears offline data

  2. Keep the App Open During Uploads - Uploads work best when the app is in the foreground

  3. Download Jobs Before Going Offline - Tap the download icon for each job you'll need offline

  4. Monitor Storage - Check the Offline tab regularly

  5. Enable Location Services - Location data helps with organization

❌ DON'T:

  1. Don't Delete the App - You'll lose all offline data forever

  2. Don't Force Close the App - Let uploads complete naturally

  3. Don't Ignore Storage Warnings - Full storage prevents taking new photos

Troubleshooting

Items Not Uploading?

Check:

  1. Internet connection is working

  2. Autosync is not paused (Profile → Offline)

  3. App is open

  4. Device storage isn't full

If issues persist, view the upload queue in the Offline tab or contact support.

Running Out of Storage?

  1. Let current uploads complete

  2. Check Offline tab → View Files

  3. Delete unnecessary files

  4. Remove cached jobs you're not using

App Running Slow?

  • Remove unused offline jobs (keep 5 or fewer)

  • Let the upload queue finish

  • Restart the app

  • Update to the latest version

Common Questions

Q: How long does offline data last?

A: Until it's uploaded or you delete the app. Data survives app restarts and device reboots.

Q: Can I work on multiple jobs offline?

A: Yes, if you downloaded them to your device beforehand.

Q: What if I run out of storage?

A: New photos won't save. Free up space immediately.

Q: Can I edit items after they upload?

A: Yes, uploaded items work exactly like online items.

Q: Are offline photos lower quality?

A: No, quality is the same online or offline.

Q: How do I know uploads are complete?

A: Check the Offline tab - when counters show 0, you're done.

Q: Can I pause uploads?

A: Yes, use "Pause Autosync" in Profile → Offline.

Need Help?

If you're having issues:

  1. Check this FAQ

  2. Go to Profile → Help and Support

  3. Visit our support portal: https://support.contentspal.com

When contacting support, include your device model, app version, and screenshots of any errors.

Last Updated: January 2026

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