What happens if my internet goes down mid-payment?

OrangeTill is a web-based app — it needs an internet connection to load live crypto rates and generate QR codes. But not everything stops working when your connection drops. Understanding what requires internet and what doesn't is the key to handling outages without panic.

What actually needs internet — and what doesn't

Requires internet:

• Loading live crypto exchange rates (BTC, ETH, SOL, etc.)
• Syncing payment history across devices
• Sending email receipts
• The initial app load if it's not cached on your device

Does NOT require internet (once the app is loaded):

• Viewing your previously loaded settings and wallet addresses
• Accessing your local payment history
• Generating a QR code — if you already have rates loaded

Scenario 1: Internet drops before you open OrangeTill

If you haven't opened OrangeTill yet and your internet is down, the app may not load at all (or may load from cache without current rates). In this case:

• Take payment another way — cash or card — and log it normally in your POS
• If the customer is willing to wait, restore internet and process the Bitcoin payment then
• A mobile hotspot from your phone is a fast backup if your WiFi router is the problem

Scenario 2: Internet drops after you've already loaded OrangeTill

This is the most common scenario. You've been running the app, rates have loaded, and then your connection drops mid-transaction. In this case:

• The app is still running in your browser — don't close it
• If rates loaded recently (within the last 10–15 minutes), you can still generate a QR code
• The customer scans and sends from their wallet — their wallet app handles the blockchain transaction independently of your internet connection
• Once internet restores, OrangeTill will sync the confirmed payment

Scenario 3: Internet is slow or intermittent

Weak WiFi or a spotty cellular signal is actually the trickiest scenario because the app may partially load or rates may fail to refresh silently. Watch for the rate refresh timestamp in the app — if it's been more than a few minutes, tap refresh manually or switch to your phone's mobile data.

Best practices for connectivity resilience

• Install OrangeTill as a PWA — adding it to your home screen allows the browser to cache the app, meaning it can load faster and sometimes function with no internet at all for basic operations.
• Keep a mobile hotspot option ready — your smartphone's cellular data is your backup. Know how to enable the hotspot before you need it.
• Know your router reset procedure — a 30-second full power drain (modem first, then router) resolves most connectivity issues. Practice it once so it's automatic under pressure.
• Have a non-crypto backup — cash and card will always work. Never be in a situation where you literally cannot take payment because of a technical issue.