Handling Android Data Sync on Unstable Networks

In an Android App, how do you handle data syncing when the network isn’t stable?

A frequently asked interview question, especially in Android System Design Rounds.

We can implement the following to handle data syncing when the network isn’t stable:

Offline-First Approach

• Design your app to work offline by default.

• Store data locally (SQLite)

• Sync with the server whenever the network is available.

Retry with Exponential Backoff

• If a sync fails due to a network, retry after increasing intervals (2s → 4s → 8s).

• Stops flooding the server while making sure data gets synced in the end.

WorkManager

• Use WorkManager to schedule background sync tasks.

• It automatically retries when the network is back.

• You can set constraints (“only sync on Wi-Fi” or “only when charging”).

Network State Monitoring

• Use ConnectivityManager to detect when the device goes online.

Conflict Resolution

• Conflicts can occur if the same user updates the same data from another device while offline.

• Implement conflict resolution strategies (last-write-wins, merge, or ask user).

• Server-side logic plays a major role.

Delta Sync

• Only sync changes rather than overall data.

That’s it for now.

Check out our complete guide: Android System Design Interviews

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Thanks

Amit Shekhar

Founder, Outcome School