> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.getmobly.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.getmobly.com/help-center/the-mobly-app/capture-and-enrichment/do-offline-scans-survive-an-update.md).

# Do offline scans survive an app update?

Yes. Leads you scan offline are stored on your device and survive both app updates and phone restarts.

This article covers what happens to a lead between "scanned at the booth, no signal" and "synced to the Hub."

## Where offline scans live

When you capture a lead without an internet connection, Mobly:

1. **Runs OCR locally** on the photo — extracts First Name, Last Name, Email, and Phone right on the device. See [How does Mobly's OCR work?](/help-center/the-mobly-app/capture-and-enrichment/how-does-ocr-work.md).
2. **Saves the lead in local storage on the phone.** This is durable storage — it survives app backgrounding, app restarts, phone restarts, and app updates.
3. **Queues a sync** for the next time the device gets back online.

The lead is yours from the moment of the scan. It doesn't depend on a server to exist.

## What survives, what doesn't

| Thing                              | Survives app update?           | Survives phone restart? |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ----------------------- |
| Captured leads (offline)           | Yes                            | Yes                     |
| Lead photos                        | Yes                            | Yes                     |
| Qualifier values applied offline   | Yes                            | Yes                     |
| Notes / descriptions added offline | Yes                            | Yes                     |
| Enriched fields not yet pulled     | N/A — those fill in after sync | N/A                     |

The one thing that doesn't survive: **uninstalling the app.** If you delete the Mobly app entirely (not just update it), local data goes with it. Sync before uninstalling.

## What happens when you come back online

The next time the app has signal and is opened (or runs its 15-minute background sync), pending offline scans are uploaded to Mobly's servers and enter the enrichment pipeline. See [How long does enrichment take?](/help-center/the-mobly-app/capture-and-enrichment/how-long-does-enrichment-take.md) for what happens next.

You can also force a sync at any time once you have signal — pull-to-refresh on the lead list, or use the sync screen to push everything through.

## Practical advice for venues with bad signal

* Don't worry about syncing during the event. Scan continuously, let the app store everything locally, and sync when you're back at the hotel or anywhere with stable WiFi.
* Don't uninstall the app between events.
* It's fine to update the app between events — your captured leads will still be there.

## Related articles

* [How to capture a lead](/help-center/the-mobly-app/capture-and-enrichment/how-to-capture-a-lead.md)
* [How does Mobly's OCR work?](/help-center/the-mobly-app/capture-and-enrichment/how-does-ocr-work.md)
* [How long does enrichment take?](/help-center/the-mobly-app/capture-and-enrichment/how-long-does-enrichment-take.md)