The Samsara Driver App is built to function regardless of internet connectivity. Before troubleshooting, confirm whether you have cellular coverage in your area. Many connectivity events are simply a result of driving through low-coverage zones (see Cellular Coverage Maps below).
The app manages two separate connections:
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Internet access (cellular or other data to the Samsara cloud) and a direct link to the Vehicle Gateway (VG), typically over the gateway's Wi-Fi hotspot.
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The VG's own independent cellular connection. It continues to record telematics and ELD data even when the phone has no cellular service. The Samsara Driver App stores driver actions locally and sends them to the Samsara cloud when internet returns.
When you are online, it is safe to send the app to the background or sign out, as long as the home screen does not display a Saving your changes banner (see below).
Poor cellular coverage is common in certain regions and routes. Confirming carrier coverage in your area is the first step before troubleshooting connectivity issues in the app.
For coverage maps from major carriers by region, see Cellular Coverage Maps.
If coverage is confirmed and issues persist, review the connectivity states below.
When you are on the standard home screen, a banner may display at the top indicating your current connectivity state. Tapping Learn more in the banner opens a short explanation, tailored to your current state.
|
Banner |
What It Means |
|---|---|
|
Working offline |
The phone has no usable internet. The app continues to function; queued work is stored on the device until a connection returns. |
|
Saving your changes |
Internet is available, but the app is still sending queued work to Samsara. Do not sign out or close the app until the banner clears. |
|
Limited ELD connection |
Internet may be fine, but the ELD is not receiving engine data from the Vehicle Gateway. Compliance-related logging may be incomplete until the issue resolves. |
|
No direct ELD connection (may appear with offline) |
For ELD drivers who are offline without a direct VG link, driving time may not update on the phone until internet returns, even if the gateway is still recording. |
This state indicates the app has no internet and no direct connection to the VG Wi-Fi hotspot.
When in this state:
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The Vehicle Gateway continues to record auto duty transitions and ELD data, but logs on the phone may not update until internet returns. The Samsara dashboard view can lag the gateway.
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Driver actions (messages, documents, DVIRs, duty status changes) are saved on the device and sent when connectivity is restored. Fleet managers do not receive live updates until then.
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Commercial turn-by-turn navigation is not available while offline.
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Closing the app or signing out while work is pending may prevent changes from reaching the fleet. Do not sign out or force-close the app while in this state.
To restore a direct ELD connection over Wi-Fi: If your fleet uses ELD Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and connect to the fleet hotspot. Contact your fleet manager for the hotspot password. If the hotspot is not enabled, your fleet manager will need to activate ELD Wi-Fi.
Note
To prevent technical difficulties, do not sign out from the app while in this connectivity state.
This state indicates the app has no internet but has a direct connection to the VG over the Wi-Fi hotspot.
When in this state:
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The Vehicle Gateway continues to record auto duty transitions and sends updates to the app in real time over Wi-Fi, so driving time continues to be captured on the device even without cellular.
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Cloud sync to the Samsara dashboard is paused; fleet managers will not receive live updates until internet returns.
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Driver actions are stored locally and sent when connectivity is restored.
Note
To prevent technical difficulties, do not sign out from the app while in this connectivity state.
This banner displays when internet is available but the app is still uploading queued work (messages, documents, DVIRs, duty status changes, dispatch routes, and similar actions) to the Samsara cloud. This commonly displays right after connectivity is restored.
When in this state:
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The app has internet, but the fleet manager's dashboard does not yet reflect your latest actions.
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Do not sign out or force-close the app while Saving your changes is visible. Closing during this state can prevent changes from reaching the fleet manager.
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Putting the app in the background is generally safe once the banner clears.
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The banner may persist for a short time after you first reconnect — the app waits roughly 30 seconds before displaying it to avoid unnecessary alerts for brief upload delays.
This banner displays when internet is available but the ELD is not receiving engine data from the Vehicle Gateway. This is separate from an offline state; you can have full cellular coverage and this banner may still display.
Common causes include gateway wiring issues, the vehicle engine being off, or a brief delay after a connection is re-established.
When in this state:
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Some ELD events may be incomplete and hours-of-service compliance may be affected until the gateway is connected and the engine is on.
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The banner can remain for up to about one minute after the underlying issue is resolved.
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Check gateway connections and confirm the vehicle engine is running. For troubleshooting steps, see Samsara Driver App Troubleshooting.
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Do not interpret this as an offline state. Internet is working, and the issue is specifically the device-to-gateway link for ELD data.
Weak or spotty coverage does not always trigger a sustained offline state. The app may flip between Working offline and Saving your changes as the signal drops and returns.
What drivers may notice:
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The connectivity banner flickers or switches between states.
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Messages and other actions take longer to sync; the dashboard may display a Disconnected Duty Status — this does not necessarily mean the driver stopped using the app. For more information, see Disconnected Duty Status.
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Screens that require fresh server data (such as Safety Score) may display an offline-style error rather than partial data.
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Viewing older logs for the current HOS cycle requires internet; a separate HOS warning will display if connectivity is needed.
Best practices in low-coverage areas:
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Stay signed in. Do not sign out during Working offline or Saving your changes.
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Connect to the gateway Wi-Fi hotspot when available to maintain local ELD functionality. For connection steps, see Connect to the Wireless Hotspot.
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Retry actions when coverage improves; the app will send queued work automatically.
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For fleet managers and admins: Vehicle Gateway placement and carrier selection are outside the Samsara Driver App. Use the coverage reference at Cellular Coverage Maps to plan installations and routes.
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