Offline use of the GESTIS-ILV on mobile devices: Instructions for Android

The application "GESTIS-ILV" is a progressive web app and can therefore also be used offline.

A high-performance, browser-based database is used for data storage. Smart synchronisation allows efficient access to the required information on mobile devices, even in flight or with weak or no internet connection.

Offline access requires a one-time synchronisation of all application content via an Internet connection. When returning to online access, only the data that has changed since the last online access is downloaded. This ensures that the database content is up to date in offline mode, while minimising the amount of data transferred in online mode.

Two screenshots of a mobile phone using the Android operating system. The first screenshot shows the start page of the application. In the top right corner there are three dots for menu selection. The second screenshot shows the menu bar. The 'Add to home screen' option is in the centre of the menu bar

Figure 1: Add application to home screen
 Source: IFA

To fully use GESTIS-ILV in offline mode, the application should first be added as a 'short cut' on the mobile device.

  • To do this, open the application in Firefox or Google.
  • Then tap the 'three dots' in the top right corner and tap 'add to home screen' (see Figure 1).
  • A window will open with 'Install' and 'Create shortcut' options. Tap 'Install' (see Figure 2). In the window that opens, tap 'Install' again.

The application will now appear on the home screen.


Screenshot of a mobile phone with Android as the operating system, showing the options for adding the application to the home screen.

Figure 2: Intermediate screen 'Install application'
 Source: IFA

As mentioned earlier, the application must be synchronised with the GESTIS-ILV once via an internet connection before the first offline use. Ensure a good internet connection and start the app you have just installed. After that, the application can be used at any time in offline mode.

Important: When using the app offline, you should always ensure that

  • there is no connection to the internet (whether via Wi-Fi or mobile data) or
  • flight mode is activated on the mobile device.

Reason: If the internet connection is unstable or slow, the web app will try to access the online version, which can lead to loading issues.


Contact

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA)
Chemical and biological hazards department

Alte Heerstrasse 111
53757 Sankt Augustin
Germany

Birgit Heinrich
Tel: +49 30 13001-3250

Ronja Schneck
Tel: +49 30 13001-3265

Katrin Pitzke
Tel: +49 30 13001-3200

We welcome your questions and suggestions: