Background Sync

Balance automatically syncs your transactions in the background, keeping your data up-to-date without you having to do anything. This guide explains how it works.

What is Background Sync?

Background sync means Balance updates your transactions even when:

• ❌ The app is closed
• ❌ Your phone is locked
• ❌ You’re using other apps
• ❌ You haven’t opened Balance recently

Your transactions stay current automatically!

How It Works

Automatic Syncing Schedule

Balance syncs automatically:

• 1-2 times per day - Scheduled background updates
• When you open the app - Fresh data on launch
• When you pull to refresh - Manual sync anytime
• Throughout the day - If Background App Refresh enabled

You don’t need to do anything - it happens automatically!

Sync Process

1. Balance requests transaction data from your banks (via Plaid)
2. Plaid fetches latest transactions from each bank
3. Data is processed and standardized
4. Balance receives the new transactions
5. Your device syncs from Balance servers
6. You see the updates next time you open the app

All encrypted and secure at every step.

Platform Differences

iOS Background Sync

How it works on iPhone/iPad:

• Uses iOS Background App Refresh
• Syncs when device idle
• When connected to Wi-Fi (preferred)
• When charging (preferred)
• Or on cellular data (if configured)

iOS decides when to sync:

• Based on your usage patterns
• When battery and network conditions good
• Learns when you typically open Balance
• Pre-syncs before you need it

You can’t force exact timing - iOS manages background tasks for battery efficiency.

Android Background Sync

How it works on Android:

• Uses Android WorkManager
• Syncs periodically
• When device idle
• On Wi-Fi or mobile data
• Respects battery optimization settings

Android flexibility:

• More user control than iOS
• Can be more aggressive with syncing
• Or more battery-conserving
• Depends on your settings

Enabling Background Sync

iOS Setup

Enable Background App Refresh:

1. Open iOS Settings
2. General > Background App Refresh
3. Ensure toggle is ON at top
4. Scroll to Balance
5. Set to “On” or “Wi-Fi & Cellular Data”

What each option means:

• Off - No background sync (must manually refresh)
• Wi-Fi - Only syncs on Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi & Cellular Data - Syncs anytime (recommended)

Cellular data:

1. Settings > Cellular
2. Scroll to Balance
3. Toggle ON
4. Allows syncing on cellular (uses minimal data)

Low Power Mode:

• Disables background sync
• Turn off Low Power Mode for automatic syncing
• Or manually refresh when needed

Android Setup

Allow background data:

1. Settings > Apps > Balance
2. Mobile data & Wi-Fi
3. Enable “Background data”
4. Enable “Unrestricted data usage” (optional, but recommended)

Battery optimization:

1. Settings > Apps > Balance
2. Battery
3. Select “Unrestricted” or “Not optimized”
4. Allows Balance to sync in background

Data Saver exception:

1. Settings > Network & Internet > Data Saver
2. Unrestricted data access
3. Toggle Balance ON
4. Allows sync even when Data Saver enabled

Manufacturer-specific settings:

Some Android manufacturers have additional restrictions:

Xiaomi (MIUI):

• Settings > Apps > Manage apps > Balance
• Autostart > Enable
• Battery saver > No restrictions

Huawei (EMUI):

• Settings > Battery > App launch > Balance
• Manage manually
• Enable all options

OnePlus (OxygenOS), Oppo, Realme:

• Settings > Battery > Battery optimization > Balance
• Don’t optimize

Samsung (One UI):

• Settings > Apps > Balance > Battery
• Allow background activity

Sync Frequency

How Often Does Balance Sync?

Automatic background sync:

• 1-2 times per day - Typical frequency
• Not user-controlled - Managed by Balance and OS
• May vary - Based on usage patterns and conditions

Factors affecting frequency:

• Your phone usage patterns
• Battery level
• Network connection
• Time since last sync
• iOS/Android system decisions

You can always:

• Manual refresh - Pull to refresh anytime
• Open app - Triggers immediate sync
• Check last sync time - See when data last updated

Bank Sync Timing

Remember: Balance syncs faster than banks update!

Bank reporting:

• Banks update Plaid 1-2 times per day
• Some banks faster (Capital One, Ally: 2-6 hours)
• Most banks slower (12-24 hours)
• Credit cards often slowest

What this means:

• Background sync gets data as fast as available
• But banks control when transactions appear
• Balance syncing more often doesn’t make banks faster

Learn more about sync timing →

Data Usage

How Much Data Does Syncing Use?

Very minimal:

• 5-10 MB per month - Typical usage
• ~0.5 MB per sync - Each background sync
• Transactions are small data - Just text information
• No images or videos - Lightweight data

Safe for mobile data:

• Won’t significantly impact data plan
• Even with frequent syncing
• Less than loading one web page

If on limited data plan:

• Can restrict to Wi-Fi only
• Background sync uses even less than manual

Battery Impact

How Much Battery Does Syncing Use?

Very efficient:

• <1% per day - Typical battery usage
• Optimized for efficiency - Uses native OS features
• Quick sync operations - Only takes seconds
• Not in top battery users - Check Settings > Battery

Battery best practices:

• Background sync is already optimized
• No need to disable for battery savings
• OS manages when to sync for efficiency
• Syncing uses less battery than you checking constantly!

Manual Refresh

You can always manually sync:

Pull to Refresh

On any platform:

1. Open Balance app
2. Go to Transactions tab
3. Pull down on the list
4. Release when “Checking for new transactions…”
5. Wait 10-30 seconds
6. New transactions appear

When to manually refresh:

• Just made a purchase and want to see it
• Checking if paycheck deposited
• Before making budget decisions
• After connecting new bank account
• When you want real-time data

How often: Anytime! No limit on manual refreshes.

Checking Sync Status

Last Sync Time

In Balance app:

• Look for “Last updated” timestamp
• Usually shown near top of Transactions
• Or in Accounts section

What it means:

• Time when Balance last checked for updates
• May have received new transactions
• Or confirmed no new transactions

Sync Indicators

Loading indicator:

• Spinner or loading animation
• Means sync is in progress
• Wait for it to complete

Success indicator:

• “Updated” message
• Or count of new transactions
• “15 new transactions synced”

Error indicator:

• Red warning or error message
• “Unable to sync”
• Check internet connection or bank status

Troubleshooting Sync Issues

Background Sync Not Working

iOS troubleshooting:

1. Check Background App Refresh

   • Settings > General > Background App Refresh
   • Ensure ON for Balance

2. Check Low Power Mode

   • Settings > Battery
   • Disable Low Power Mode

3. Check Cellular Data

   • Settings > Cellular
   • Enable for Balance

4. Check iPhone Storage

   • Settings > General > iPhone Storage
   • Need sufficient free space

5. Restart iPhone

   • Sometimes fixes background task issues

Android troubleshooting:

1. Check Background Data

   • Settings > Apps > Balance
   • Enable background data

2. Check Battery Optimization

   • Settings > Apps > Balance > Battery
   • Set to Unrestricted

3. Check Manufacturer Settings

   • See manufacturer-specific section above
   • Enable autostart/background activity

4. Check Data Saver

   • Add Balance to exceptions

5. Restart Phone

   • Fixes many background issues

Sync Errors

Common error messages:

“Unable to connect to server”

• Check internet connection
• Try different network
• Wait and try again

“Bank connection error”

• Reconnect bank account
• Check bank isn’t having issues
• See bank connection troubleshooting

“Sync failed”

• Usually temporary
• Try manual refresh
• Wait 30 minutes and check again
• Contact support if persists

Slow Syncing

If syncing seems slow:

1. Check internet speed - Slow connection = slow sync
2. Many accounts - More accounts = longer sync
3. Large transaction history - First sync takes longest
4. Bank responsiveness - Some banks slower than others
5. Peak times - Banks may be slower at busy times

What’s normal:

• First sync: 2-5 minutes
• Daily sync: 10-30 seconds
• Manual refresh: 10-30 seconds

Web vs Mobile Syncing

Web Syncing

How web syncing works:

• Only when browser tab open - No background sync
• Auto-refreshes - When viewing
• Manual refresh - Refresh button available
• No background updates - Must have site open

For best web experience:

• Open Balance when checking budget
• Refresh before making decisions
• Leave tab open if you want continuous updates

Mobile Syncing

Advantages of mobile:

• ✅ Background sync - Updates when closed
• ✅ Always current - Data ready when you open
• ✅ Less manual work - Automatic updates
• ✅ Better for daily use - Check anytime with fresh data

Recommendation:

• Use mobile app for daily checking
• Benefit from automatic background sync

Best Practices

For Best Sync Experience

Do:

• ✅ Enable Background App Refresh (iOS)
• ✅ Set unrestricted battery (Android)
• ✅ Allow cellular data for Balance
• ✅ Keep Balance app updated
• ✅ Keep phone OS updated
• ✅ Have stable internet connection
• ✅ Open app occasionally (helps iOS learn patterns)

Don’t:

• ❌ Force close Balance constantly
• ❌ Use aggressive battery savers
• ❌ Disable background data
• ❌ Keep phone in airplane mode
• ❌ Clear app data/cache (unless troubleshooting)

Understanding Sync Limitations

What background sync does:

• ✅ Gets latest transactions from banks
• ✅ Updates your Balance account
• ✅ Keeps data current automatically

What it doesn’t do:

• ❌ Make banks report faster
• ❌ Show transactions before bank reports them
• ❌ Sync instantly (managed by OS)
• ❌ Work without internet

Realistic expectations:

• Background sync works within bank reporting times
• Not truly “real-time” - but close!
• Usually new transactions within 2-24 hours of purchase
• Depends on bank speed, not Balance syncing

Privacy & Security

Is Background Sync Secure?

Yes! Background syncing is secure:

Encrypted communication:

• All data encrypted in transit (TLS)
• Encrypted at rest on servers
• Secure tokens used (not passwords)

No password transmission:

• Balance never syncs your bank password
• Uses secure Plaid tokens
• Read-only access to transactions

Battery efficient:

• Uses minimal power
• Native OS features
• Optimized sync operations

Privacy preserved:

• No data shared with third parties
• Only syncs your financial data
• Stays within Balance ecosystem

Common Questions

Q: How often does Balance sync in the background?
A: Typically 1-2 times per day, managed by your device’s operating system for efficiency.

Q: Can I make Balance sync more frequently?
A: The OS controls background timing. You can always manually refresh anytime for immediate updates.

Q: Does background sync drain my battery?
A: No, it uses less than 1% battery per day. It’s highly optimized.

Q: Why aren’t my transactions syncing?
A: Check Background App Refresh (iOS) or battery optimization (Android) settings. Also verify internet connection.

Q: Do I need to open Balance for it to sync?
A: No, background sync works when app is closed. But opening the app triggers an immediate sync.

Q: Will background sync work on airplane mode?
A: No, background sync requires an internet connection.

Q: How much data does background sync use?
A: Very little - about 5-10 MB per month. Safe for limited data plans.

Q: Does Balance sync work on Wi-Fi only?
A: It works on both Wi-Fi and cellular data (if you enable cellular for Balance).

Q: Why does iOS sometimes not sync in background?
A: iOS manages background tasks based on battery, network, and usage patterns. It’s normal for timing to vary.

Next Steps

Learn more about Balance mobile features:

• iOS App Guide - iPhone and iPad tips
• Android App Guide - Android optimization
• Mobile vs Web - Platform comparison
• Transaction Sync Timing - Bank sync schedules

Questions about syncing? Contact our team - we’re here to help!