Collect responses offline and upload later
Prepare a field device online, collect interviews without a connection, and check that queued answers upload.
Before you start
Use the phone or tablet and browser you will take into the field. Sign in while online, publish the survey, and finish editing it before downloading. Offline collection supports a limited set of question types and does not support branching, display logic, piping, carry-forward, quotas, incentives, or sections that require the server.
Steps
Download on each device
Open the survey and choose Share → Collect offline → Download to this device. Resolve any eligibility messages. A download prepares this browser; repeat on every device you will use.Check Field collection
Open Field collection and confirm the survey appears under On this device. Check the download date. Before leaving, test the workflow on your intended browser and device, including an offline interview and its upload.Collect interviews
Start the downloaded survey from Field collection. Completed interviews wait on this device until they can upload. If an interview was interrupted, use Continue interview when offered.Reconnect and confirm uploads
Return to Field collection online. Uploads run automatically; use Upload now to request an upload. Wait for Everything collected on this device is uploaded, then check the survey’s Results.Resolve queued interviews
For an expired session, use Sign in and return on the same device and browser. For an interview that needs attention, read the error before using Try again. Use Download a backup of queued interviews before troubleshooting persistent problems.
Details and limitations
Offline answers are stored in the browser on that device. Upload frequently; a browser may clear local data when storage is under pressure. Keep backups secure because they contain interview data.
Downloading a survey is a snapshot. Do not assume later survey edits reach field devices. Review changes and download again before the next collection session.
Check the result
Every completed field interview should be uploaded, with no interviews waiting or needing attention, and visible in Results.
If something goes wrong
If download is refused, the message identifies unsupported settings or questions. If upload fails after the survey was edited, keep the queued interviews and contact support with the error. Do not clear browser data or switch browser profiles before confirming upload. Removing a downloaded survey keeps queued interviews, but clearing browser storage can remove them.