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Download Problems

Resolve file download issues

File downloads can fail due to storage limitations, network issues, or file corruption. This guide helps you identify and resolve common download problems.

At its simplest, download troubleshooting answers one question: Why won't my file download, and how do I fix it?

Who uses this: Attendees and staff members who need to download event files such as documents, images, or media.

Key capabilities:

  • Identify why a download failed to start, stalled, or produced a corrupt file
  • Free up device storage to allow downloads to complete
  • Understand when to use temporary storage as a quick workaround
  • Know when to contact support and what information to provide

How It Works

At a glance: Most download problems fall into one of three categories: not enough storage space, network connection issues, or file processing delays.

1. Diagnose the problem

Look at what's happening: is the download not starting, stuck partway through, or completing but the file won't open? Each symptom points to a different cause.

2. Apply the appropriate fix

Once you know the category, apply the targeted solution - free up storage, switch networks, wait for processing, or delete and retry.

3. Prevent future issues

Maintain adequate free space, use stable Wi-Fi for large files, and keep the app in the foreground during downloads.

Think of it this way:

  • Storage issues prevent downloads from starting or cause them to fail midway
  • Network issues cause downloads to stall at 0% or get interrupted
  • Processing delays make completed downloads appear stuck at 100%

Common Download Issues

Downloads Won't Start

Symptoms:

  • Tapping download button does nothing
  • "Low Storage" warning appears
  • Download button greyed out
  • No progress indicator appears

Causes:

  • Insufficient device storage
  • File already downloaded
  • Network connection issue
  • Missing permissions

Solutions:

1. Verify Available Storage

iOS: Settings → General → iPhone Storage Android: Settings → Storage → Internal Storage

  • Minimum required: 100MB free space
  • Recommended: 500MB or more free space

2. Free Up Storage Space

  • Delete unused apps
  • Remove old photos/videos
  • Clear Seaty cache: Settings → Data Privacy → Clear Cache
  • Delete old downloaded files in Seaty Downloads screen

3. Check if File Already Downloaded

  1. Open Seaty app
  2. Navigate to Downloads screen
  3. Search for the file name
  4. If found, tap to open instead of re-downloading

4. Verify Network Connection

  1. Confirm Wi-Fi or cellular data is active
  2. Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular
  3. See Connection Issues for detailed troubleshooting

Storage Full Errors

Symptoms:

  • "Low Storage" alert when attempting download
  • "Your device is running low on storage space" message
  • Downloads automatically cancelled

Causes:

  • Less than 20MB free space remaining
  • File size exceeds available space
  • System needs buffer space

Solutions:

1. Use Temporary Storage (Quick Solution) When storage is low, the app offers temporary storage:

  • Files stored in device memory only
  • Expires after 30 minutes of inactivity
  • Suitable for immediate viewing
  • Will not persist after closing the app

Why temporary storage: Allows you to view files immediately without freeing device storage first.

2. Free Up Device Storage

iOS: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → View recommendations Android: Settings → Storage → Tap "Free up space"

Both systems provide suggestions for files and apps to delete.

3. Delete Old Seaty Downloads

  1. Open Seaty app
  2. Navigate to Downloads screen
  3. Swipe left on old files
  4. Tap Delete
  5. Confirm deletion

4. Clear App Cache

  1. Settings → Data Privacy
  2. Tap Clear Cache
  3. Frees temporary files
  4. Does NOT delete your downloaded files

5. Manage Offline Event Data

  1. Navigate to event
  2. Settings → Offline Data
  3. Delete old event data you no longer need
  4. Re-download when needed later

Downloads Stuck at 0%

Symptoms:

  • Progress bar appears but stays at 0%
  • "Downloading..." message but no progress
  • Download eventually times out
  • File never completes

Causes:

  • Network connection dropped
  • Server not responding
  • Invalid download URL
  • File being prepared on server

Solutions:

1. Cancel and Retry

  1. Tap the download progress bar
  2. Tap Cancel Download
  3. Wait 10 seconds
  4. Try downloading again

2. Verify Network Connection

  1. Confirm internet is working (load google.com in browser)
  2. Test if other apps can access internet
  3. Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data
  4. Move closer to Wi-Fi router or to better cellular signal area

3. Try Different Network

  • Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular (or vice versa)
  • Connect to different Wi-Fi network
  • Disable VPN if active

4. Wait for Server Preparation Some files require server-side preparation before download begins:

  • Large files may take 30 to 60 seconds to start
  • Server generates secure download link
  • Progress bar will jump to show actual download once preparation completes

Why this happens: Server converts or prepares files for optimal mobile delivery.

Downloads Stuck at 100%

Symptoms:

  • Progress bar shows 100% but never completes
  • "Processing..." message appears
  • File not available to open
  • Download appears to hang

Causes:

  • File being converted (e.g., Word to PDF)
  • Metadata being written
  • Storage write delay
  • Verification in progress

Solutions:

1. Wait for Post-Download Processing Some files require processing after download completes:

  • Word documents: Converting to PDF format (10 to 30 seconds)
  • Large files: Writing to device storage (5 to 15 seconds)
  • Media files: Extracting metadata for playback (5 to 10 seconds)

Why this happens: Ensures files are properly formatted and playable on your device.

2. If Stuck Over 2 Minutes

  1. Cancel the download
  2. Clear cache: Settings → Data Privacy → Clear Cache
  3. Restart the app
  4. Try downloading again

3. Check Conversion Progress For Word documents:

  • Progress bar shows conversion percentage
  • "Converting document..." message appears
  • Usually completes within 30 seconds

Interrupted Downloads

Symptoms:

  • Download stops mid-way
  • "Download failed" message
  • Progress bar disappears
  • File not in Downloads screen

Causes:

  • Network connection lost
  • App was closed or backgrounded
  • Device locked during download
  • Storage filled up mid-download

Solutions:

1. Resume Download The app does NOT support resuming:

  • Must restart download from beginning
  • Ensure stable connection before retrying
  • Keep app open during download

2. Prevent Interruptions

  • Keep app in foreground
  • Don't lock device during download
  • Ensure stable network connection
  • Check sufficient storage before starting

3. Download on Wi-Fi

  • Wi-Fi more stable than cellular
  • Faster download speeds
  • Less likely to disconnect
  • Recommended for large files

4. Retry Failed Downloads

  1. Navigate to file location
  2. Tap download button again
  3. Download starts fresh
  4. Previous partial download is cleaned up automatically

Corrupt or Unreadable Files

Symptoms:

  • File downloads but won't open
  • "Cannot open file" error
  • Blank screen when opened
  • Garbled content

Causes:

  • Download interrupted
  • Network error during transfer
  • Source file corrupted
  • Incompatible file format

Solutions:

1. Delete and Re-download

  1. Navigate to Downloads screen
  2. Find the corrupt file
  3. Swipe left and tap Delete
  4. Download the file again
  5. Ensure stable connection during download

2. Verify File on Web

  • Open Seaty web dashboard
  • Navigate to same file
  • Try opening in browser
  • If it works there, app issue; if not, source file corrupted

3. Contact Organiser If file consistently corrupts:

  • Source file may be damaged
  • Contact event organiser
  • They can replace the file
  • Try downloading replacement

Download Queue Issues

Symptoms:

  • Multiple downloads queued but not starting
  • "Queued" status persists
  • Downloads not progressing in order
  • Queue appears stuck

Causes:

  • Too many simultaneous downloads
  • Previous download blocking queue
  • Network connection issue
  • App paused downloads

Solutions:

1. Check Active Downloads

  • Only 1 download can run at a time
  • Wait for current download to finish
  • Queued items start automatically

2. Cancel Blocking Download If one download is stuck:

  1. Tap the active download
  2. Tap Cancel
  3. Queue will resume with next item

3. Clear Download Queue

  1. Navigate to Downloads screen
  2. Cancel all queued downloads
  3. Restart downloads individually
  4. Monitor each completion

4. Restart App If queue completely stuck:

  1. Force close Seaty app
  2. Wait 10 seconds
  3. Reopen app
  4. Queue state should be cleared
  5. Restart needed downloads

Storage Management

Understanding Storage Types

Permanent Storage (Downloaded Files):

  • Saved to device storage
  • Persist after app closes
  • Available offline indefinitely
  • Require sufficient device space

Temporary Storage (In-Memory Files):

  • Used when storage full
  • Stored in device memory only
  • Expire after 30 minutes
  • Deleted when app closes
  • Max file size: 50MB

Cache Storage:

  • Temporary app data
  • Can be cleared safely
  • Does NOT delete downloaded files
  • Frees 10-100MB typically

Checking Storage Usage

Device Storage:

  • iOS: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Seaty
  • Android: Settings → Apps → Seaty → Storage

Seaty Downloads:

  1. Open Seaty app
  2. Navigate to Downloads screen
  3. See all downloaded files
  4. Sort by size or date

Clearing Storage

Safe to Delete:

  • Cache (Settings → Data Privacy → Clear Cache)
  • Old downloaded files (swipe to delete)
  • Expired offline event data

DO NOT Delete (Unless Necessary):

  • Active offline event data (needed for scanning)
  • Files you still need to access
  • Files for upcoming events

Storage Recommendations

Minimum Free Space:

  • 100MB for basic operations
  • 500MB for smooth experience
  • 1GB+ for large file downloads

Regular Maintenance:

  • Clear cache weekly
  • Delete old downloads monthly
  • Remove expired offline data

Download Monitoring

Progress Indicators

Progress Bar:

  • Shows percentage downloaded
  • Updates every second
  • Smooth animation from 0% to 100%

Status Messages:

  • "Downloading..." - Active download
  • "Converting..." - Processing Word documents
  • "Queued" - Waiting for active download to finish
  • "Completed" - Ready to open

Download Speed

Download times vary based on your connection. Wi-Fi is typically fastest, followed by 5G, then 4G.

Estimated Times:

  • Small file (1MB): A few seconds
  • Medium file (10MB): Under a minute on Wi-Fi
  • Large file (50MB): 1 to 8 minutes depending on connection
  • Very large file (100MB): 2 to 15 minutes depending on connection

Platform-Specific Issues

iOS

Downloads App Integration:

  • Seaty uses internal storage, not iOS Downloads folder
  • Files appear in Seaty Downloads screen only
  • Share files using Share button within Seaty

Background Downloads:

  • Downloads may pause if app backgrounded
  • Keep app in foreground for large downloads
  • iOS limits background network activity

Storage Optimisation:

  • iOS may offload unused apps
  • Seaty won't offload during active downloads
  • Check Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Offload Unused Apps

Android

Download Notifications:

  • Android shows download progress in notification tray
  • Tap notification to return to app
  • Swipe to dismiss notification (doesn't cancel download)

File System Access:

  • Seaty stores files in app-specific storage
  • Not accessible via Android file browsers
  • Use Seaty's Share function to export files

Battery Optimisation:

  • Disable for Seaty: Settings → Apps → Seaty → Battery → Unrestricted
  • Prevents download interruption when screen off

Advanced Troubleshooting

Clear Download Cache

  1. Settings → Data Privacy
  2. Tap Clear Download Cache
  3. Clears temporary download files
  4. Does NOT delete completed downloads
  5. Restart app

Verify File Integrity

If downloads consistently fail for specific files:

  1. Try on different device
  2. Try on web dashboard
  3. Contact support with:
    • File name and path
    • Event name
    • Error messages
    • Device and OS version

Reset Downloads Folder

Warning: Deletes all downloaded files

  1. Navigate to Downloads screen
  2. Delete all files individually
  3. Or reinstall the app as a last resort
  4. Re-download needed files

Prevention Tips

Before Downloading:

  • Check available storage
  • Connect to stable Wi-Fi
  • Ensure battery over 20%
  • Close unnecessary apps

During Download:

  • Keep app open
  • Don't lock device
  • Stay on same network
  • Monitor progress

After Download:

  • Verify file opens correctly
  • Test playback for media
  • Keep until no longer needed

Common Questions

Storage

How much free space do I need for downloads? At minimum, 100MB for basic operations. For a smooth experience, keep 500MB free. For large file downloads, 1GB or more is recommended.

What is temporary storage? When your device is low on space, the app can store files in device memory rather than permanent storage. These files expire after 30 minutes of inactivity and are deleted when the app closes. This lets you view files immediately without freeing up storage first.

Will clearing cache delete my downloaded files? No. Clearing cache only removes temporary app data. Your downloaded files remain safe.

Downloads

Can I resume an interrupted download? No. Downloads must restart from the beginning. Ensure you have a stable connection before retrying, and keep the app in the foreground during large downloads.

Why is my download stuck at 100%? The file is being processed after download. Word documents are converted to PDF format, and media files have their details extracted for playback. This typically takes 10 to 30 seconds.

How many files can download at once? Only one download runs at a time. Additional downloads are queued and start automatically when the current one finishes.

Troubleshooting

What if the same file keeps failing? Try downloading on a different device or through the web dashboard. If it fails everywhere, the source file may be corrupted - contact the event organiser to replace it.

Where can I find my downloaded files? All downloads appear in the Seaty app's Downloads screen. Files are stored within the app and cannot be accessed through your device's standard file browser.

Still Having Issues?

If download problems persist, contact support at support@seaty.co.uk

Include in your request:

  • App version (Settings → General Settings)
  • Device model and operating system version
  • File name and size
  • Available storage space
  • Network type (Wi-Fi or cellular)
  • Screenshots of any error messages
  • When the problem started
  • What troubleshooting steps you have already tried