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2Timer Help

Practical guides for humans, with structure that is easy for AI systems to parse.

Offline Access and PWA

Purpose

Explain how 2Timer works offline, what a PWA is in plain language, how to install 2Timer like an app, and which features still need an internet connection.

Prerequisites

  • 2Timer opened in a modern browser at /app.
  • Chrome or Edge is recommended for the best install and local-file experience.

What a PWA Means

PWA stands for Progressive Web App.

In practical terms, for 2Timer that means:

  • You open 2Timer in a browser, but you can also install it so it feels more like an app.
  • After the app has loaded on a device, 2Timer can keep core screens and meet data available even when the internet is unavailable.
  • Updates are delivered through the web version, so you do not manage a separate desktop installer.

A PWA is still running in the browser engine on that device. It is not the same as a cloud-only website, and it is not the same as a traditional desktop program.

How Offline Access Works in 2Timer

2Timer stores meet data locally in your browser on that device.

That means:

  • your meets stay on the machine and browser profile you used
  • core meet work can continue without internet after the app has been loaded
  • another browser or another computer does not automatically share the same local meets

2Timer also caches the app shell for offline use. When the app is ready, you may see a message that it is Ready to work offline.

What Is Available Offline

Once 2Timer has loaded successfully on a device, these kinds of work are generally available offline:

  • open existing local meets on that device
  • create or edit meet data
  • work with athletes, entries, events, teams, groups, sessions, and rounds
  • review and edit results already stored in the meet
  • use seeding, scheduling, scoring, and report generation features that use local meet data
  • import or export local files
  • use local folder-based workflows when the needed folder access has already been granted

For many race-day operations, this is the main point: 2Timer does not require a server connection just to keep timing and meet management moving.

What Still Requires Internet

Some features depend on online services and will not work offline.

These include:

  • the AI assistant
  • RunSignUp sync
  • FTP or S3/R2 publishing
  • any other feature that needs a remote API or remote server

If you lose internet, 2Timer should still let you work with the meet itself, but those connected services will need to wait until you are back online.

Local Hardware and Local Folder Workflows

Offline does not necessarily mean “nothing connected works.”

If your workflow uses local folders or local machine access, it may still be usable without internet. Examples include:

  • FinishLynx exchange folders
  • MyLaps result files written to a local folder
  • IPICO result files written to a local folder
  • exporting reports to a folder on the same machine

The important distinction is:

  • internet-based services need internet
  • local file and local device workflows may still work without internet

How to Install 2Timer

On supported browsers, 2Timer can show an Install 2Timer button in the app header.

If you see it:

  1. Open 2Timer.
  2. Click Install 2Timer.
  3. Accept the browser’s install prompt.

If your browser does not show that button, you can usually install from the browser menu:

  • In Chrome or Edge, look for Install app or Add to desktop.
  • On some mobile browsers, look for Add to Home Screen.

After installation, 2Timer can open in its own window instead of a normal browser tab.

How to Tell Whether You Are Offline

2Timer shows an Online or Offline indicator in the app header.

  • Online means the browser believes internet access is available.
  • Offline means the browser believes internet access is unavailable, so features that depend on remote services may not work.

Offline status does not remove your local meet data.

Good Offline Habits

  • Open 2Timer and the meet before race-day internet becomes unreliable.
  • Wait for the app to finish loading fully.
  • Keep a current .2t backup for important meets.
  • Test any local folder permissions before race day.
  • Do not assume online integrations will retry automatically later; re-run them when the connection returns.

Important Limits

  • Offline access is per device and per browser profile.
  • Clearing browser/site storage can remove local meet data and cached app files.
  • Installing the PWA does not automatically sync meets between machines.
  • A first visit still needs network access so the app can load.

Troubleshooting

Problem Likely Cause Fix
The app does not open offline The app was not loaded successfully on this device before going offline Open 2Timer while online first, then reopen it later if the connection drops
I do not see an install button The browser did not offer a native install prompt Try Chrome or Edge, or use the browser menu install option
My meet is missing on another computer Meet data is local to the original device/browser Export the .2t file from the original machine and import it on the other one
AI assistant says connection required The assistant depends on an online model provider Reconnect to the internet, then try again
RunSignUp, FTP, or S3 publish does not work offline Those features require remote services Continue local meet work and retry the sync or publish later

Related Pages

Metadata

  • Last Updated: 2026-03-29
  • Version: 0.1
  • Status: Active