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Welcome to Super Dispatch Help Center

How Sync Works in the Driver App

Table of Contents

    Introduction

    The Super Dispatch Driver App works both offline and online by storing data locally on your device and syncing it with our servers once an internet connection is available. Syncing ensures that everything—from load updates to inspection photos—stays accurate and consistent between your phone and your dispatcher.

    What Is Sync?

    Synchronization (or sync) is the process of keeping data up to date between the Driver App on your phone and Super Dispatch's servers.

    Sync involves:

    • Uploading: Sends any new changes made on the device to the backend (e.g., photos, activity logs, updated vehicle info).
    • Downloading: Retrieves updates made by dispatchers or the backend (e.g., new loads, updated instructions).

    When Does Sync Happen?

    iOS

    • After Logging In: Downloads everything related to your account.
    • Every 10 Seconds: The app checks for updates in the background.
    • When You Go Online: If offline previously, sync resumes automatically.
    • When You Reopen the App: Sync picks up where it left off.

    Android

    • App Launch: Sync starts automatically when the app is opened.
    • In Background: Periodically syncs in the background to keep data fresh.
    • User Actions: Triggered when switching tabs (New, PickedUp, Delivered) or opening order details.
    • Every 4 Hours: Automatically checks for backend updates every 4 hours.

    When Does Sync Pause?

    Sync temporarily pauses in the following scenarios:

    • User logs out of the app
    • No internet connection is available
    • The app is force-closed or backgrounded for a long period
    • The device's operating system suspends the app to free up memory

    Note: Sync will resume automatically once you're back in the app and online.

    How Sync Works (Behind the Scenes)

    Initial Sync

    • Triggered right after first login
    • Downloads everything from the server (may take time based on your data size)
    • If interrupted, it will retry the next time you log in

    Continuous Syncing

    • The app checks for changes on a scheduled basis (e.g., every 10 seconds on iOS)
    • Only updated or changed data is synced to save bandwidth
    • Local updates (photos, edits, etc.) are uploaded
    • Backend updates (new loads, dispatcher instructions) are downloaded

    Android-Specific Sync Flow

    1. Check Internet Connection – Sync will only begin if the device is online.
    2. Update Driver & Carrier Info – Ensures correct configuration for syncing.
    3. Download New Loads – Includes active, archived, or reassigned orders.
    4. Upload Local Changes – Sends anything the driver has updated while offline.
    5. Download Signatures – Grabs any missing pickup/delivery signatures.
    6. Finish Sync – Marks sync as complete once all data is aligned.

    What Data Gets Synced?

    • Trips
    • Loads
    • Vehicles
    • Inspections (including AIAG format)
    • Inspection Photos
    • Inspection Videos
    • Signatures (pickup and delivery)
    • Activity Logs
    • Expenses
    • Attachments
    • Delivery Receipts
    • BOLs & Invoices

    Conflict Handling (Android Only)

    Different Fields Updated

    If the mobile app and the backend both change different parts of a load, both changes are saved.

    • Example: Driver updates Pickup Info, while dispatcher updates Broker Info – both are kept.

    Same Field Updated

    If both update the same field, the mobile update will overwrite the backend version. This ensures the driver’s updates are never lost.

    What Happens if Sync Fails?

    • If the internet connection is lost or the app crashes, sync will resume automatically once conditions are normal.
    • All unsynced data is safely stored locally on the device.
    • Important: Data will only be lost if the app is manually uninstalled before syncing completes.

    Need Help?

    Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to contact our support team at any time. You can reach us via email at support@superdispatch.com, or simply click on the chat icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen to start a conversation with us. We're here to help and look forward to assisting you!