Syncing Your Logbook — Advanced Guide
KnotWise sync is designed around one principle: your logbook is always safe, on every device, regardless of connectivity. This article explains how sync works under the hood and covers everything you need to manage a multi-device setup with confidence.
How sync works — the offline-first model
KnotWise does not depend on a server connection to function. Every device runs a complete local copy of your logbook. Sync is an additional layer — not a dependency.
When you create or edit a log entry, it is written locally first. If your device is online, the change is pushed to the cloud immediately. If you are offline — at sea, in a remote anchorage, or simply without signal — the change is queued and pushed automatically the next time a connection is available. No data is ever lost due to connectivity.
Sync across devices — what happens
| Scenario | What KnotWise does |
|---|---|
| You add a log entry on your phone while offshore | Stored locally. Synced automatically when back online. |
| You open KnotWise on a second device after being at sea | All entries created since last sync are downloaded automatically on first connection. |
| Two devices edit different entries while offline | Both sets of changes are merged on next sync — no data is lost. |
| Two devices edit the same entry while offline | The most recent change (by timestamp) takes precedence. |
| You add a new device to your account | Full logbook downloads automatically on first login. |
Device limit and management
Each account supports a maximum of 5 devices. A device is registered the first time you log in to KnotWise on that device with your account.
To view and manage your connected devices, go to Settings → Devices. From there you can remove devices you no longer use — freeing up a slot for a new one.
If you reach the 5-device limit and cannot remove a device (for example, a device that was lost or no longer accessible), contact support@knotwise.app and we will assist with removing it remotely.
Adding a new device
- On the new device, open app.knotwise.app in your browser or install the desktop app from knotwise.app
- Log in with your existing account credentials
- KnotWise downloads your full logbook automatically — this may take a moment depending on the size of your logbook and your connection speed
- Once complete, the device is fully operational — online and offline
Sync status indicators
KnotWise displays your current sync status in the top right corner of the app:
- Live (green) — connected and synced
- Offline — no connection; changes are queued locally
- Syncing — actively pushing or pulling changes
What syncs — and what does not
| Data | Syncs? |
|---|---|
| Log entries and passages | ✓ Yes |
| Crew details and passport photos | ✓ Yes |
| Maintenance tasks and records | ✓ Yes |
| Inventory | ✓ Yes |
| Vessel settings | ✓ Yes |
| Attachments (photos, PDFs) | ✓ Yes |
| App preferences (language, theme) | Device-local only |
Conflict resolution — the details
KnotWise uses a last-write-wins strategy for conflicts. When the same entry is modified on two devices while both are offline, the version with the most recent save timestamp is kept when both devices come back online.
In practice, conflicts are rare on a sailing vessel — typically only one person is actively logging at a time. But if your crew uses multiple devices simultaneously, be aware that simultaneous edits to the same entry will result in one version being overwritten.
Reactivating sync after a gap
If your Sync or Share subscription lapses and you continue logging on multiple devices independently, reactivating the subscription will trigger a full merge of all device data.
⚠ Duplicate data risk: If the same entries were logged independently on multiple devices during the gap, the merge may produce duplicates. Export your data as CSV from each device before reactivating if you have been logging simultaneously on multiple unsynced devices. See What Happens to My Data if I Cancel My Subscription? for full details.
Common questions
How much storage does my synced logbook use?
Text-based log entries are very small — a logbook of several hundred entries with no attachments typically uses only a few megabytes. Attachments (photos, PDFs) are the primary driver of storage. KnotWise does not impose a storage cap on your logbook data.
Is my synced data encrypted?
All data in transit between your device and our servers is encrypted using TLS. Your data is stored on infrastructure hosted in Switzerland (EU Central). For full details, see Your Data & Privacy — What KnotWise Stores and Where.
What happens if I log in on more than 5 devices?
The sixth device will not sync until an existing device is removed from your account in Settings → Devices. You can still use KnotWise locally on the device — it will function in offline mode until a sync slot is available.
Can I sync between the PWA and the desktop app on the same account?
Yes — the PWA and desktop app are fully interoperable. A log entry created on your phone will appear on your desktop and vice versa, as long as both are logged into the same account and have connectivity.
Compare plans and upgrade at knotwise.app/pricing. Questions? Contact support@knotwise.app.
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