Offline Mode Data Management on the Seaty App
Overview
The offline data management screen provides centralised control over downloaded ticket data. View storage statistics, manage event-specific downloads, and clean up expired data to optimise device storage.
At its simplest, offline data management answers one question: How do I control what ticket data is stored on my device?
Who uses this: Event staff with scanning permissions.
Key capabilities:
- View storage statistics (total tickets, events, storage used)
- Download tickets for specific events, dates, or seating sections
- View and manage downloaded event data
- Clean up expired data to free storage space
- Completely reset the offline database when needed
How It Works
At a glance: Access the management screen, review your storage usage, download what you need, and clean up what you don't.
1. Access the management screen
Open Settings, then Scan, scroll to Offline Mode, and tap "Manage offline data". Alternatively, go to Settings, then Data & Privacy, scroll to Offline Data, and tap "Clear offline tickets".
2. Review storage statistics
The screen displays three key numbers: total tickets downloaded, number of events, and storage used. This helps you understand how much data is on your device.
3. Download or manage data
Download new ticket data for upcoming events, view tickets you've already downloaded, or remove data you no longer need.
4. Clean up when finished
After events conclude, remove old data to free storage space and keep your device running smoothly.
Think of it this way:
- Storage statistics show you what's on your device
- The event list lets you view and manage each event's data
- Cleanup options help you remove old data and free space
Storage Statistics
The management screen displays three key statistics at the top:
Total Tickets
The complete count of downloaded tickets across all events. This includes valid, cancelled, and merchandise tickets. The count updates immediately when you download or clear data.
Events
The number of unique events with downloaded data. Multi-date shows count as a single event, not per performance.
Storage Used
The total device storage consumed by offline data, displayed in KB or MB. Each ticket uses approximately 500 bytes of storage, including ticket details and related information.
Downloading Ticket Data
Download Options
Single Event Date
Downloads tickets for one specific performance. Ideal for one-off events or when you're only scanning at a particular date. Uses the smallest amount of storage.
All Event Dates
Downloads tickets for all performances of an event. Best for multi-date shows or when you need access to the full run.
Specific Sections (Seated Events Only)
Downloads only selected seating sections. Useful for large venues where different staff scan different areas.
Download Process
- Select your download option from scan settings
- Choose event dates or sections as needed
- Tap "Download" to begin
- A progress bar shows download status
- Download typically completes in 5-30 seconds
- Success message confirms completion
Why downloads might be limited: To keep the system running smoothly for all users, there's a limit on how frequently you can download. If you reach the limit, wait about 5 minutes before trying again.
Managing Downloaded Events
Event List Display
Each downloaded event shows:
- Event name
- Organisation name and tag
- Number of tickets downloaded
- Number of event dates included
- Time since data was downloaded
Download Times
Download timestamps show relative times:
- "Just now": Less than 1 minute ago
- "5 minutes ago": Recent downloads
- "2 hours ago": Same-day downloads
- "3 days ago": Older downloads that may need refreshing
Viewing Event Tickets
Tap any event to view its complete ticket list. You can search by attendee name, order number, or seat, and filter by event date if you've downloaded multiple dates.
Data Expiry and Cleanup
Understanding Expiry
Downloaded offline data expires 24 hours after the event date and time passes. The app tracks these expiry dates to help you identify old data for removal.
Note: Expired data remains on your device until you manually remove it. This prevents accidental deletion of data you may still need, such as for post-event queries.
Cleaning Up Expired Data
To remove expired event data:
- Tap "Clean up expired data"
- Review the events to be removed
- Confirm the cleanup
- Statistics update immediately
Clearing Event Data
Remove Single Event
- Locate the event in the list
- Tap to view event details
- Use the clear option if available
- Confirm deletion
Clear All Data
- Tap "Clear all data"
- Review the warning message carefully
- Confirm complete deletion
- The offline database resets entirely
Why "Clear all data" exists: If you encounter persistent errors or the offline system behaves unexpectedly, clearing all data and downloading fresh is the most reliable fix.
When to Clear Data
- After events conclude: Free storage for upcoming events
- Before major downloads: Ensure sufficient space
- Storage warnings: When device storage is low
- Troubleshooting: Reset the offline database if issues occur
Storage Space Requirements
Estimating Storage Needs
Approximate storage requirements:
| Event Size | Tickets | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Up to 100 | ~50 KB |
| Medium | 100-500 | ~250 KB |
| Large | 500-2,000 | ~1 MB |
| Very large | 2,000+ | ~1 MB per 2,000 tickets |
Download times vary based on your internet connection speed.
Before Downloading
- Check device storage in system settings
- Ensure at least 100 MB free for safety
- Consider clearing expired data first
- Remove unused app data if storage is tight
Offline Mode Status
The management screen shows whether offline scanning is enabled:
Enabled
- Green indicator
- "Offline scanning enabled"
- Downloads and validation active
Disabled
- Grey indicator
- "Offline scanning disabled"
- Link to scan settings for activation
Note: Enable offline mode via Settings, then Scan, not from the management screen. This ensures you understand offline capabilities before downloading data.
Best Practices
Before Events
- Download within 24 hours of the event for the most recent data
- Test after downloading by scanning a sample ticket
- Check storage before major events to prevent download failures
- Clear old data regularly to maintain optimal performance
During Events
- Monitor storage indicators for low space warnings
- Don't clear data mid-event to avoid losing scan history
- Ensure scans upload before clearing any data
- Keep devices charged as low battery can affect performance
After Events
- Allow any pending uploads to complete before clearing
- Review scan statistics for any issues
- Clean up within a week to free storage promptly
- Keep only upcoming events and remove concluded shows
Mobile App Only
Offline data management exists only in the mobile app:
- Data is stored locally on your physical device
- Each device manages its own data independently
- The web dashboard has no offline capability and requires a continuous internet connection
Common Questions
Downloads
Why did my download fail?
Check your internet connection first. If the event has no tickets sold yet, there's nothing to download. If you see "Download limit reached", wait about 5 minutes and try again.
Can I download tickets for multiple events?
Yes. Each event's data is stored separately, and you can download as many events as your device storage allows.
Why are some tickets missing from my download?
Last-minute sales after your download won't appear offline. Re-download to get the latest data. The same applies to cancellations and other online changes.
Storage
How do I know if I need to clear data?
The storage statistics at the top of the screen show your current usage. If you're running low on device storage or see performance issues, consider clearing expired data.
What happens if I clear all data by mistake?
You'll need to download the ticket data again for any events you need to scan. No ticket information is lost from the server; only your local copy is removed.
Expiry
Why doesn't data delete automatically?
Manual cleanup prevents accidental deletion of data you might still need for post-event queries or late arrivals. You control when data is removed.
How long does data stay on my device?
Until you manually remove it. The app marks data as expired 24 hours after the event, but removal is always your choice.
Need help? Contact support@seaty.co.uk