Running a Chute Session in an Area with Spotty Service

How Breedr Handles Offline Sessions:

You do not need a signal to run a chute session. Breedr works completely offline, you can scan EID tags, capture weights, log activities, and record all Quick Actions with no connection at all. Everything is saved on your device and syncs automatically the next time you have a signal.

The key is preparation. The app needs to have the latest animal data downloaded to your device before you leave signal range. See Online vs Offline Mode for how offline sync works.

Before Leaving Signal Range: Pre-Session

Sync the app: Open Breedr on a good signal and give it 1 to 2 minutes to fully sync. This downloads the latest animal records, group assignments, and locations to your device.

Do this while on Wi-Fi or full cellular signal. A partial sync can leave your animal list out of date.

Charge your devices fully:

• Phone or iPad to 100%
• EID reader and weigh head to 100%

When your phone is searching for a cellular signal in a dead zone, the radio works harder and drains the battery significantly faster than normal. A full charge before you go out is essential.

Managing Cellular Data During the Session

In areas with no or intermittent signal, your phone's cellular radio constantly searches for a tower. This drains the battery and can cause Bluetooth interference with your EID reader or weigh head. Turning off cellular data, or switching to airplane mode with Bluetooth back on, reduces both problems.

Option A: Turn off cellular data only (recommended)

This keeps Bluetooth active for your equipment while stopping the phone from searching for a cell tower.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap "Cellular."
3. Toggle "Cellular Data" off.
4. Bluetooth stays on -- your EID reader and weigh head continue to work normally.

On Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap "Network and Internet" (or "Connections" on Samsung).
3. Tap "Mobile network" or "Data usage."
4. Toggle "Mobile data" off.
5. Bluetooth stays on.

Option B: Use Airplane Mode with Bluetooth re-enabled

Airplane mode turns off all radios at once, including Bluetooth. Use this method if you want to extend battery life further, but remember to manually re-enable Bluetooth after activating airplane mode.

On iPhone:

1. Swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode icon (the plane) to turn it on.
3. Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn Bluetooth back on.
4. Your EID reader and weigh head will reconnect.

On Android:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Tap Airplane Mode to turn it on.
3. Tap Bluetooth to turn it back on.
4. Your EID reader and weigh head will reconnect.

During the Session

Run your session normally. The offline indicator in Breedr confirms the app is in offline mode, this is expected and not a problem.

Things to keep in mind:

• Scan animals, capture weights, and log activities exactly as you would online.
• Do not tap "Save and Finish" until you are ready to fully close the session. Saved sessions sync when you reconnect -- paused sessions stay on the device.
• Keep your phone close to the equipment. Bluetooth range is the same as usual -- the absence of cellular data does not affect Bluetooth range.
• If you are using a hotspot from the phone, cellular data being off means the hotspot is also off. This is fine for a fully offline session, but if someone else on your team needs to connect to the account during the session, they will need their own signal.

When you Return to Signal Range: Syncing After the Session

1. Turn cellular data back on: iPhone: Settings > Cellular > toggle Cellular Data on. Android: Settings > Network and Internet > Mobile network > toggle Mobile data on. Or if you used Airplane Mode, tap the Airplane Mode icon again to turn it off. Bluetooth will stay connected.
2. Open Breedr and let it run for 1 to 2 minutes. The app syncs offline data automatically when a connection is restored, you do not need to tap anything.
3. Tap "Save and Finish" on any paused sessions if you have not already. Sessions that have not been saved and finished will not sync to other devices or the browser portal until they are closed properly.
4. Verify the sync:
• Check that the session appears in Finished Sessions.
• Open a couple of animal records and confirm weights and activities saved correctly.
• Log in to app.breedr.tech on a computer and confirm the session is visible on the browser portal.

If the Data is not Appearing After Reconnecting

• Confirm the session was saved and finished (not just paused). Check Sessions > Active Sessions -- if your session is still there, open it and tap "Pause > Save and Finish."
• Give the app more time. On a slow signal, syncing can take several minutes. Stay in the app and keep the screen active.
• Tap "Refresh and sync animal data" in Menu > Settings > General Settings to force a full sync.
• If data is still missing after all the above, contact our Customer Success team before deleting anything. Session data stored on the device can often be recovered.

See Troubleshooting Chute Sessions for more detail.

Quick Reference: