Offline mode

The Forerunner mobile app is built for field work where internet connectivity is unreliable or unavailable. Offline mode lets you download map data before heading out, then create properties, submit records, and complete tasks without a connection. Your work automatically syncs when you’re back online.

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How offline mode works

Offline mode uses a download-first approach:

1. Download offline packs - While connected, download map packs containing properties, parcels, and map layers for your work area
2. Work offline - In the field, create and edit data without connectivity. Everything saves locally to your device.
3. Automatic sync - When you reconnect, the app automatically uploads your changes to Forerunner

The app continuously monitors your connection status and shows a banner on the map when you’re offline. You can work normally—the only difference is that data syncs later instead of immediately.

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Download offline map packs

Offline packs contain everything you need to work in a specific area:

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What’s included in offline packs

Each offline pack contains:

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Enabling custom basemap imagery for offline mode

By default, offline packs include Forerunner’s standard satellite and streets base maps. If your account has custom aerial imagery or other custom base maps configured, a manager can turn them on for offline use so field teams see the same imagery offline as they do online. Offline imagery has to be configured at the account level before custom aerial layers can show up in the field. Only manager-level users can enable it from base map settings. Once it’s turned on for a base map, the imagery is included in every offline pack downloaded after that point.

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Turning on offline use for a base map

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Keeping imagery current

Offline base map tilesets refresh automatically once per quarter (on the first of January, April, July, and October). Each refresh re-pulls the latest tiles from the source and replaces the previous offline copy — the next offline pack a user downloads picks up the new tiles. If you need an update sooner, trigger a manual refresh from the actions menu on the base map’s row in Settings → Data → Base Maps. You can monitor refresh and enable jobs in the Recent imports section at the bottom of the Base Maps settings page, which shows status (Processing, Success, or Error), timestamps, and any error message. A manual refresh often resolves transient errors; for repeated failures, reach out to your Customer Success Manager.

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Manage offline packs

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View pack status

In Settings > Offline Maps, each pack shows:

• Ready - Downloaded and available for offline use
• Processing - Server is preparing the pack
• Expired - Pack is older than 15 days and needs refresh
• Download available - Pack hasn’t been downloaded yet

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Update a pack

Offline packs expire after 15 days to ensure you have current data. To update:

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Switch active packs

If you have multiple packs downloaded, only one can be active at a time:

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Delete a pack

To free up device storage:

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Create data offline

When offline, you can create:

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Properties

Create new properties from your current GPS location or by entering coordinates:

1. Tap on the map where you want to create a property
2. Select Create property
3. Fill in the property details
4. Tap Save

The property saves locally with a “Pending sync” indicator. When you reconnect, it uploads to Forerunner and receives a permanent ID.

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Records

Submit records using any record type included in your offline pack:

1. Open a property’s detail panel
2. Tap Records and select Add record
3. Choose the record type
4. Fill out the form fields
5. Attach photos or documents
6. Tap Submit

The record saves locally and syncs when you’re back online.

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Tasks

Create and update tasks while offline:

1. Navigate to a property or custom object
2. Tap Tasks and select Add task
3. Fill in task details
4. Tap Save

Task status changes (To do → In progress → Complete) also save offline and sync later.

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Capture photos offline

Photos captured while offline are stored on your device until sync:

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Sync your work

Syncing is fully automatic—there’s no sync button to remember. When your device is back on a stable connection, the app uploads everything you created or edited while offline. Syncing can also run in the background, so your work uploads even if the app isn’t open.

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The sync banner

A banner at the top of the map keeps you oriented:

• “You’re offline” - Your device has no usable connection. If you have work waiting to upload, the banner also shows a pending count, like “3 pending sync”.
• “Syncing 3 items” - You’re back online and the app is uploading your offline work.
• Reconnect - If you switched to offline mode yourself and a connection is available, the banner shows a Reconnect button to get back online.

The banner only appears while you’re offline or a sync is running. When everything is synced and you’re online, it goes away.

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The Data syncing screen

Go to Settings > Data syncing to see the status of everything you create or edit while offline. Each item shows what it is—a record, photo, file, task, or property—along with where it belongs and a status icon: While a sync is running, a header shows overall progress, like “Syncing 12 items” with a progress bar. If you leave the app mid-sync, the header shows syncing as paused and it picks back up automatically the next time the app is open and online. Successfully synced items stay on the list for 24 hours before they’re cleared, so you can confirm your work made it in.

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Sync badges

When you have offline work waiting to upload, a red badge with the pending count appears on the Settings tab. While a sync is running, it changes to a green syncing badge. The badge clears once everything has synced.

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Sync status on your items

Records, files, and tasks created offline also show their status right where they’re listed—for example, on a property’s records list:

• Pending sync - Saved on your device, waiting for a connection
• Upload in progress… - Currently uploading
• Failed to save, try again - The upload hit an error

If an item fails to sync, open the menu on its row and select Retry. You can also select Delete to discard it—deleting is permanent.

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Handle sync conflicts

The mobile app uses a last-write-wins approach for sync:

• Your offline changes overwrite any changes made to the same data on the web while you were offline
• If you and another user both edit the same property offline, the last person to sync “wins”
• The app doesn’t merge changes—it replaces server data with your offline version

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Offline limitations

Some features require an internet connection:

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Monitor connectivity

The app monitors your connection for you. When you lose it, the “You’re offline” banner appears on the map and the app switches to working locally. If your connection is present but too slow to work reliably, the app suggests going offline with a “Slow internet connection” message. Choosing Go offline lets you keep working without interruptions—everything syncs once you’re back on a stable connection, and you can return early with the Reconnect button on the banner.

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Offline best practices

Download packs on Wi-Fi - Downloading on Wi-Fi avoids cellular data charges and is faster. Update packs before they expire - Packs expire after 15 days. Set a reminder to refresh your packs weekly if you work in the field regularly. Check pack coverage before leaving - Verify your offline pack covers your entire work area. Areas outside the pack boundary won’t have offline data. Sync before starting new work - When you arrive at a site with connectivity, let the app sync first. This uploads pending data and downloads any recent changes from the web. Monitor storage - Offline packs and pending uploads consume device storage. Keep at least 500 MB free for smooth operation. Charge your device - GPS and offline operations can drain battery faster. Bring a charger or battery pack for full-day field work. Test offline before relying on it - Before critical field work, test offline mode while still near connectivity. Create a test record offline, then verify it syncs correctly.

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Storage management

Offline data uses device storage:

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Check storage usage

Go to your device’s Settings > Storage to see how much space Forerunner uses.

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Clear offline data

If storage is low:

1. Delete unnecessary offline packs in Settings > Offline Maps
2. Ensure all pending data has synced before clearing
3. Re-download only the packs you currently need

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Failed uploads

If a sync fails repeatedly, the app stores failed data as a backup file. This prevents data loss but consumes storage. Contact support if you see persistent sync failures.

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Troubleshooting offline mode

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Related documentation

• Getting started with mobile - Initial app setup and configuration
• Managing records in the field - Creating records and capturing photos
• Using tasks on mobile - Task management in the field
• Troubleshooting - Resolve common mobile app issues