What is offline messaging?

Helpful in areas with unreliable or intermittent connectivity, this feature allows users to access existing messages, compose new messages, and, once connectivity is restored, automatically deliver all messages written while out of service. Offline messaging helps to drive engagement by allowing users to continue chatting, even though they may pass in and out of connectivity.

Benefits of offline messaging

• Uninterrupted communication: Messages sent while offline are stored and automatically delivered once the user regains internet connectivity, allowing users to continue conversations while not actively connected to the internet.

• Instant delivery: Messages written while offline are sent automatically once connectivity is restored, offering a seamless experience that requires no manual effort.

• Improved user engagement: Users are more likely to engage with an app that lets them send and receive messages even while offline, as it’s more convenient and effective than apps without an offline chat mode.

• Greater convenience: Users appreciate the option to compose and draft messages while offline, allowing them to prepare responses in advance.

• Better user satisfaction: Being unable to communicate due to network problems is frustrating to users. Knowing that messages composed while out of service will be delivered automatically helps to reduce that frustration.

• Enhanced productivity: Offline messaging allows users in areas with poor connectivity to continue communication, collaborate, and stay productive with minimal disruptions.

Use cases for offline messaging

• Marketplaces: Losing out on a sale or a purchase due to poor internet connectivity is frustrating. Offline messaging assures buyers and sellers that once they hit send, their message will be delivered as soon as connectivity allows. This way, buyers and sellers can connect and transact with confidence.

• Social apps and online communities: Offline messaging drives engagement even while users are offline, allowing them to access old messages for context and queue up new messages that get delivered once they reconnect to the internet.

• Telehealth: Offline messaging allows for asynchronous telehealth communications, an increasingly popular option with users who want the flexibility to respond when they’re available or in need.

• Education: For students living with unreliable internet, offline messaging allows them to continue learning during outages, refer to previously shared materials, and post new queries to teachers that will be sent once connectivity is back up.

As users come to expect more from in-app chat, offline messaging has become a desirable feature of in-app communications. This feature is included in the chat APIs from Sendbird and other leading in-app communications platforms.