Offline Mode helps you use key Fussy Vegan features when your internet connection is unavailable or unreliable, such as when you are shopping in a store with weak mobile reception.
What does Offline Mode do?
When Offline Mode is enabled, Fussy Vegan first checks whether a reliable internet connection is available.
- If the connection is reliable, the app uses the latest live information.
- If the connection is unavailable or unreliable, the app automatically switches to the information downloaded to your device.
You do not need to manually switch between online and offline data.
What can I do offline?
Offline Mode allows you to:
- Scan product barcodes.
- Search for products.
- Browse product guides and food-chain product lists.
- View product details, ingredients and allergen information.
- Check additives and ingredients.
- Search and view recipes included in the offline catalogue.
- Add products to your in-app lists.
- Save items to Apple Reminders on supported Apple devices.
Search results, sorting and filters are designed to work the same way as they do while online.
What is not available offline?
Some features still require an internet connection, including:
- Product and recipe images.
- Videos and other online media.
- Ratings and rating submissions.
- Similar-product recommendations that rely on images or live information.
- Live Chat.
- Information or actions that must be retrieved from or saved to the Fussy Vegan servers.
When an image cannot be displayed, the app shows an Offline Mode image in its place.
How do I enable Offline Mode?
Offline Mode is available to VIP Access subscribers.
- Open Settings.
- Turn on Offline Mode.
- Tap Download to download the offline catalogue.
- Keep the app open and connected to the internet until the initial download is complete.
A progress indicator shows the download status. You can cancel the download by turning Offline Mode off before it finishes.
If you do not have an active VIP Access subscription, turning on Offline Mode will open the VIP Access subscription page.
How large is the download?
The settings page shows an estimate of:
- The internet data required for the initial download.
- The storage the downloaded catalogue will use on your device.
The installed catalogue uses more storage than the compressed download because the information must be unpacked and organised for fast offline searching.
The displayed sizes are estimates and may change as more products, ingredients and recipes are added.
Are updates downloaded automatically?
Yes. After the initial download is completed, the app automatically checks for updates when a reliable internet connection is available.
Only the required changes are downloaded, so you do not normally need to download the entire catalogue again.
The Offline Mode settings also show when your downloaded information was last updated.
What happens with a weak or unreliable connection?
A phone may show Wi-Fi or mobile reception even when the connection is too weak to use reliably.
Fussy Vegan checks whether the connection is actually working. If live information cannot be loaded within a reasonable time, the app uses your downloaded information instead.
This helps Offline Mode continue working in places such as supermarkets, shopping centres and buildings with poor reception.
Can I remove the download?
Yes.
Open Settings, find Offline Mode, and tap Remove Download. This removes the downloaded catalogue and frees the storage it was using.
You can download the catalogue again later while you have an active VIP Access subscription and a reliable internet connection.
What happens if I turn Offline Mode off?
When Offline Mode is turned off, the app will no longer use downloaded information if your connection becomes unavailable or unreliable.
You can keep or remove the downloaded catalogue. If you keep it, you can turn Offline Mode back on without repeating the initial download, provided the downloaded information is still available and compatible.
Why am I seeing older information?
Offline information reflects the most recent update successfully downloaded to your device. If your device has not had a reliable connection recently, newer changes may not yet be included.
Check the Last updated date in the Offline Mode settings. Connect to reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data and keep the app open briefly so it can check for updates.
Troubleshooting Offline Mode
If Offline Mode is not working:
- Confirm that Offline Mode is turned on.
- Confirm that the initial download completed successfully.
- Check that your VIP Access subscription is active.
- Check the Last updated information in Settings.
- Ensure your device has enough available storage.
- Connect to a reliable internet connection and allow the app to check for updates.
- If necessary, remove the download and download the catalogue again.