Offline-First Waivers
Collect waivers without an internet connection. Devices keep working and sync automatically once they are back online.
What offline-first means in FieldWaiver
FieldWaiver is built so a signed-in staff device does not depend on the network to collect waivers. Forms, collections and submissions are stored in a local database in the browser, and each new submission is saved there first. Photos and signatures are stored on the device too. When a connection is available, everything uploads in the background; when it is not, the device keeps working and uploads later.
The app itself is cached on the device by a service worker, so an installed FieldWaiver can open without a signal once it has been loaded while online.
What you get with Offline-First Waivers
- ✓Keep collecting when the network drops
- ✓Submissions, photos and signatures stored on the device until they sync
- ✓An Online or Offline indicator and a count of submissions waiting to upload
- ✓Automatic background sync when connectivity returns
- ✓Conditional logic and validation that run on the device
Preparing a device for an offline day
- Sign in while connected and let the app finish loading your forms and collections.
- Install FieldWaiver to the home screen so it opens like an app.
- Open each form you will use and complete a test submission.
- Switch to airplane mode, complete another test, then reconnect and confirm it uploads.
- On the day, reconnect whenever you can and check the waiting count before you finish.
When it matters
Outdoor activity centres, forests, lakes, festival fields and basement venues all have the same problem: the signal disappears just as the queue builds. Offline-first collection means a dropped connection is a delay in uploading, not a stop in signing. Our offline event checklist covers the preparation in more detail.
What does not work offline
Signing in needs a connection, so sign in before you go. Public share links and kiosk links load and submit over the internet, so they are for places with a signal. Emails, receipts, webhooks and automations are sent by the server after a submission syncs. Until then a submission exists only on that device, so do not clear browser data while anything is waiting.
Common questions
How long can a device stay offline?
We do not promise a fixed period. Devices keep collecting while disconnected; reconnect as often as you can so records reach the server and sign-ins stay current.
Can participants sign on their own phones without signal?
No. Public share links need a connection. Use a signed-in staff device where there is no signal.
Do I need a native app from an app store?
No. FieldWaiver runs in the browser and can be installed to the home screen as a Progressive Web App.