Power cuts, weak signal, a router that picks the busiest hour to restart: connectivity problems are a fact of life for many shops. When the register depends on the internet, every outage means a stalled queue and lost sales.
That is why we built Xduka POS so it can be installed as a progressive web app (PWA) with an offline-ready register. When the network drops, you keep selling. When it comes back, queued work syncs.
What is a PWA?
A progressive web app is a web application you can install on your device, much like a regular app. Once installed, Xduka POS opens from its own icon on your home screen or desktop, runs in its own window and can keep working without a connection for key tasks.
You can install Xduka POS on phones, tablets and computers, and the app icon can carry your own brand.
How offline selling works
- You are selling as usual on the register.
- The connection drops.
- The register stays usable, and the sales you make are queued.
- When the connection returns, queued work syncs.
From the customer's point of view, nothing changes for cash sales. The queue keeps moving.
What waits until you are back online
To keep payments safe and accurate, we keep live payment rails blocked while you are offline. That includes STK push and hosted checkout, which need a live connection to confirm the payment. Once you reconnect, they are available again.
During an outage, it is wise to:
- Accept cash, or
- Ask customers to wait briefly for the connection to return for mobile payments, or
- Follow your shop's procedure for recording payments made by other means, with references checked once you are back online.
Why this matters
- No lost sales. Customers do not walk out because the system is down.
- Accurate records. Offline sales are not written on paper and forgotten; they sync into your records.
- Less stress for staff. Cashiers know exactly what to do when the network drops.
Tips for running offline smoothly
- Install the app on every till device before you need it.
- Keep a cash float ready for outages.
- Train staff on which payment methods work offline.
- Reconnect regularly so queued work does not build up for too long.
- Check the sync after a long outage to make sure everything has come through.
Works on the devices you already have
Because Xduka POS runs as a web app, you are not tied to special hardware. We have tightened dashboard spacing, quick actions, barcode scanning, invoicing and receipt workflows for phones and small tablets, so a smartphone can serve as a capable counter device for a small shop, while larger shops can use a computer with a barcode scanner and thermal printer.
Quick checklist
- Install Xduka POS on every till device.
- Turn on offline sales in Settings → Store if you want tills to complete recorded sales offline.
- Keep a cash float for outages.
- Tell staff which payment methods work offline.
- Reconnect promptly and check that queued sales have synced.
A quick example
For example, say a minimart in Kitale has an evening power cut that also knocks out the shop's internet. The cashier keeps selling on the installed app, taking cash, while a customer who wanted to pay by M-Pesa waits a few minutes for the connection to return. When the router comes back on, the queued sales sync and the STK prompt goes through.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the app?
When your browser shows the Install Xduka POS prompt ("Add to your home screen for quick access"), choose Install. Your browser may also offer an install option in its menu.
Is there a setting for offline sales?
Yes. The Store tab in Settings includes an option to allow tills to complete recorded sales while offline.
Can I take M-Pesa STK payments offline?
No. Live payment rails such as STK push wait until you are back online.
Will my offline sales be lost if I close the app?
We designed queued work to sync when you reconnect. Reconnect as soon as you can after an outage and check that sales have come through.
Keep the queue moving
Connectivity should not decide whether you can make a sale. With Xduka POS installed as an app, the register keeps working offline and your records catch up when you reconnect.
Learn more about offline selling on our features page, or get started at www.xduka.com.
