Overview: If your Account Administrator has turned on Offline Mode, you can keep punching in the Buddy Punch mobile app even when your device has no internet connection. Your punches are stored on your device and sent to Buddy Punch automatically as soon as you're back online.
Important! You must already be signed in to the Buddy Punch app before you lose your connection; you cannot sign in while offline, and signing out while offline will discard any time that hasn't synced yet. If offline punching isn't working for you, reach out to your Account Administrator, as Offline Mode has to be enabled on the account first.
Instructions:
What You Can Do Offline
While your device is offline, the Time Entry screen keeps working and lets you:
Punch in and punch out
Start and end a break
Switch shifts
Choose your location, department, or position
Punch and enter a specific time
The rest of the app needs a connection. If you open another screen while offline, you'll see an error instead of your information; that's expected, and everything comes back once you reconnect.
Note: Closing the app while offline is safe. Your session is kept, so you can reopen the app and carry on punching. Signing out is what you need to avoid.
How to Punch In and Out Offline
1. Sign in to the Buddy Punch mobile app while you still have a connection, and leave yourself signed in. (Left image below)
2. When your device loses its connection, the app shows that you're working offline and keeps the Time Entry screen available. (Middle image below)
3. Punch as you normally would. If needed, choose your location, department, or position, and tap Punch In or Punch Out. The app confirms the action on screen. (Right image below)
Note: If you tap sign out while offline, the app warns you: "You're offline. If you log out now, you won't be able to sign back in until your device reconnects." Choose to stay signed in unless you're certain your time has already synced.
What Happens When You Reconnect
1. As soon as your device is back online, the app uploads everything you did offline and confirms that your data has synced. (Left image below)
2. Visit your Time Card to check your punches. Your offline punches appear with the times you made them, along with any location, department, or position you selected. (Middle image below)
3. If something you did offline isn't allowed on your account, for example, a punch that breaks a rule your Administrator has set, Buddy Punch tells you that action couldn't sync and explains why. Everything else still syncs normally. (Right image below)
Note: If your Administrator has GPS tracking during shifts enabled, tracking begins when your offline punch syncs rather than when you tapped it. A shift that was already being tracked before you went offline keeps recording and uploads your full route on reconnect.
FAQs
Q: Can I sign in to the app while I'm offline?
A: No. Signing in has to reach Buddy Punch to check your credentials, so it needs a connection. While offline, the sign-in screen tells you that you have no internet connection. Sign in before you lose service and stay signed in.
Q: What if I close the app while I'm offline?
A: That's fine. Your session is kept, so reopening the app puts you back where you were with your unsynced punches intact.
Q: Can I use a kiosk or QR code to punch while offline?
A: You can punch that way once, but you won't be able to use the kiosk or QR code again until your device is back online.
Q: Why can't I see my schedule or time off while offline?
A: Only the Time Entry screen works without a connection. Everything else is loaded from your account and needs internet, so those screens show an error until you reconnect.
Q: I don't have offline punching. How do I get it?
A: Offline Mode has to be enabled on your company's account, and it's only available on certain plans. Please reach out to your Account Administrator for further assistance.