Offline Usage FAQ

Note: This FAQ addresses common questions about using Lio Price Browser without an internet connection.

Can I use Lio Price Browser offline?

Yes, Lio Price Browser can be used offline, but with some limitations. Here's what you can and cannot do without an internet connection:

Available offline:

  • View your tracked items list
  • See previously loaded price history
  • View your bookmarks
  • Access app settings
  • View cached website data (if previously visited)

Requires internet:

  • Browse new websites
  • Check for price updates
  • Add new products to track
  • Access the "From Safari" section

When you reconnect to the internet, any scheduled price checks that couldn't complete while offline will run automatically.

Can I view price history charts while offline?

Yes, you can view previously loaded price history charts while offline. The app stores all historical price data locally on your device, so you can access this information anytime without an internet connection.

However, there are a few limitations to be aware of:

  • No new price data will be added while offline
  • Charts will display "Last updated" times from before you went offline
  • If you haven't previously viewed an item's details, some chart data might need to be calculated when first viewed

All charts and historical data will automatically update once you reconnect to the internet and the app refreshes prices.

Will I still get price drop notifications while offline?

No, price drop notifications cannot be generated while offline because the app needs to check current prices from websites to determine if they've dropped.

When your device reconnects to the internet:

  • Scheduled price checks will resume
  • Any price drops that occurred while you were offline will be detected
  • Notifications will be generated for eligible price drops based on your settings

The notification will show the current price compared to the last known price before you went offline, so you won't miss any significant drops that occurred during your offline period.

Can I add new items to track while offline?

No, you cannot add new items to track while offline. Adding items requires:

  1. Accessing the product's website (requires internet)
  2. Detecting or selecting the current price (requires website access)
  3. Establishing an initial price point for tracking (requires current data)

If you attempt to add a new item while offline, you'll see a message indicating that an internet connection is required. Once you're connected again, you can resume adding new items to track.

Planning tip: If you know you'll be offline for a while, make sure to add all the items you want to track before losing your connection. This way, you can still view their details and history while offline.

Can I manually refresh prices while offline?

No, manually refreshing prices requires an internet connection. When offline:

  • Individual refresh buttons will be disabled
  • Pull-to-refresh will show an "Offline" message
  • Group refresh options will be disabled

If you attempt to refresh prices while offline, the app will display a notification reminding you that an internet connection is required. Once you're back online, all refresh functionality will automatically be re-enabled.

How does offline mode affect cached website data?

When you browse websites in Lio Price Browser, some data is cached locally. While offline:

  • You can access previously visited pages that are in the cache
  • Cached pages will appear as they did when last loaded, not with current content
  • Interactive elements on cached pages likely won't function
  • Images and resources not previously loaded won't be displayed

The browser cache is primarily designed for performance improvement, not for offline browsing, so the offline experience with cached pages will be limited. For reliable offline access to specific pages, we recommend using Safari's Reading List feature, then sharing to Lio Price Browser when you're back online.

Can I modify settings while offline?

Yes, most app settings can be modified while offline. This includes:

  • Changing update intervals
  • Modifying price drop notification settings
  • Adjusting price drop thresholds
  • Configuring auto-delete options
  • Changing display preferences

All settings changes made while offline will take effect immediately for the app's interface and behavior. However, features that require internet connectivity (like applying a new update interval) won't actually operate until you're back online.

Note: A few settings that directly interact with network features (like Network Traffic Capture options) might show as disabled while offline.

Will data be lost if I use the app offline for an extended period?

No, your data is safe even when using the app offline for extended periods. All tracked items, price history, bookmarks, and settings are stored locally on your device and do not require an internet connection to maintain.

A few important details to keep in mind:

  • If auto-delete is enabled, items may be removed based on age even while offline
  • Extended periods without price updates might result in outdated information when you do reconnect
  • Some websites may change their structure during your offline period, potentially affecting tracking when you return online

When you reconnect to the internet after an extended offline period, it's a good idea to manually refresh all your tracked items to ensure you have the most current price data.

Important: While Lio Price Browser supports many offline features, it's primarily designed to work with an internet connection for full functionality. For the best experience, connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data when possible.

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