Offline Mode Overview
Overview
Offline mode enables event staff to validate tickets and manage attendees without requiring an internet connection. Essential for venues with unreliable connectivity or areas without mobile coverage, offline mode downloads ticket data in advance and performs local validation.
At its simplest, offline mode answers one question: How do I scan tickets when there's no internet?
Who uses this: Event organisers and staff with scanning permissions on the Seaty mobile app.
Key capabilities:
- Offline ticket scanning: Validate tickets using locally stored data
- Date and time validation: Verify tickets match the correct event date/time
- Multi-event support: Download data for multiple events
- Data expiry tracking: Downloaded data expires 24 hours after event, manual cleanup available
- Manual sync: Sync offline scan results when reconnected
How It Works
At a glance: Download ticket data before your event, scan tickets without internet, then sync your scans when you reconnect.
1. Download Ticket Data
Before your event, download ticket data from the scan settings:
- Choose specific event dates or all dates for an event
- Download only required seating sections to save space
- Progress indicator shows download status
- Data includes ticket details, attendee names, and seat information
2. Scan Tickets Offline
When scanning tickets offline:
- The app checks tickets against the downloaded data
- Verifies the ticket is valid, not cancelled, and matches the event date
- Shows instant validation feedback
- Records scan attempts locally for later synchronisation
3. Sync When Reconnected
When your internet connection returns, sync your offline scan results:
- Pull down on the scan list to trigger sync
- If the same ticket was scanned on multiple devices, the first scan is kept
- Re-download ticket data to see any new sales or cancellations
- Progress indicators show sync status
Think of it this way:
- Downloading saves a snapshot of your tickets to your device
- Scanning offline checks tickets against this snapshot and records your scans
- Syncing uploads your recorded scans and resolves any conflicts
What Works Offline
Works Without Internet
- Ticket scanning: Scan QR codes and validate tickets
- Ticket search: Find tickets by name, order number, or seat
- Ticket details: View complete ticket information
- Scan history: Review all scans performed while offline
- Attendee lists: Browse downloaded attendee information
Requires Internet
- Downloading data: Initial download requires a connection
- Refreshing data: Re-downloading to see new sales or cancellations
- Syncing scans: Uploading offline scans to the server
- Real-time duplicate detection: Checking if a ticket was scanned on another device
Storage and Performance
Storage Requirements
- Typical event (500 tickets): approximately 250 KB
- Large event (2,000 tickets): approximately 1 MB
- Multi-date shows (10 dates): approximately 2.5 MB per 500 tickets
Performance
- Fast validation: Ticket lookups happen instantly on your device
- Manual cleanup: Remove expired data from the data management screen
- Battery efficient: Minimal battery impact
Use Cases
Theatre Productions
Scenario: Multi-performance show with backstage scanning areas Solution: Download all event dates at start of run, scan tickets backstage where Wi-Fi is weak
School Events
Scenario: School fete with outdoor ticketed areas Solution: Download day's events each morning, validate tickets throughout grounds without connectivity concerns
Outdoor Venues
Scenario: Festival with multiple entry points across large site Solution: Each entry point downloads complete event data, validates tickets independently
Touring Shows
Scenario: Travelling production visiting multiple venues Solution: Download venue-specific data before each performance, sync results when connectivity allows
Offline Mode Limitations
Date Validation
- Tickets are validated against their specific event date/time
- Scanning for wrong date shows clear error message
- Day mode allows any performance on selected date
- Date/time mode requires exact event date match
Data Freshness
Downloaded data is a snapshot from the download time. To see new sales or cancellations, re-download the ticket data.
Multiple Devices Scanning
Multiple devices can scan offline independently. If the same ticket is scanned on two devices, the first scan is kept when the devices sync.
Enabling Offline Mode
Quick Start
- Open the Seaty app and go to Settings then Scan
- Enable Offline scanning
- Tap Download ticket data
- Select the event dates you want to download
- Wait for the download to complete
- Scan tickets as normal - they will work without internet
Managing Downloads
Open Offline Data Management from the scan settings to:
- View downloaded events and ticket counts
- Check storage usage
- Clear individual event data
- Remove expired data
- Reset the offline database
Best Practices
Before Events
- Download data within 24 hours of event start
- Test offline scanning with sample tickets
- Verify all required dates are downloaded
- Check storage space is sufficient
During Events
- Monitor sync status indicator
- Re-download if major changes occur online
- Note any validation errors for follow-up
- Periodically connect to sync scan results
After Events
- Allow devices to sync before powering down
- Review scan history for any issues
- Clear offline data to free storage
- Download data for upcoming events
Mobile vs Web
Mobile App Advantages
- True offline capability: Full functionality without internet
- Portable: Scan anywhere regardless of connectivity
- Battery powered: No mains power required
- Fast validation: Tickets are checked instantly on your device
Web Dashboard
- No offline mode: Requires continuous internet connection
- Real-time data: Always shows current ticket status
- Bulk operations: Better for processing multiple orders
- Reports: Generate attendance reports and analytics
Explore Offline Mode
Browse the topics below to learn more about offline mode in the Seaty mobile app.
Data Management
Manage offline data storage
Offline Tickets
Access tickets offline
Sync Strategy
How data syncs when online
Common Questions
Downloading Data
How often should I download ticket data? Download within 24 hours of your event to ensure you have the latest ticket information. Re-download if you know there have been significant sales or cancellations.
Can I download data for multiple events? Yes, you can download data for as many events as you need. Each event's data is stored separately and can be managed independently.
What happens if I download data twice for the same event? The new download replaces the previous data. This ensures you always have the most up-to-date ticket information.
Scanning Offline
How do I know if I'm scanning offline? The app shows an offline indicator when you're not connected to the internet. Your scans are recorded locally and will sync when you reconnect.
What if I scan the same ticket on two devices? When both devices sync, the system keeps the first scan and ignores the duplicate. The attendee is only checked in once.
Can I see who has already been scanned while offline? Yes, you can view your scan history to see all tickets you've scanned during the current offline session.
Data Management
When does downloaded data expire? Downloaded ticket data expires 24 hours after the event date. You can also manually clear data at any time.
How do I free up storage space? Open the Offline Data Management screen to clear data for specific events or remove all expired data at once.
Need help? Contact support@seaty.co.uk for assistance with offline mode.