Offline and grace behavior
SideSense is built to keep working when your connection does not. Here is what runs offline, why it checks in now and then, and how the grace window protects you.
What runs offline
The local lane runs fully on your machine. With a model installed through Ollama, you can capture audio, transcribe, and draft answers with no internet at all. The parts that need a connection are the hosted lane (coming soon), any bring-your-own-key provider, and the occasional license check.
Why it checks your license
SideSense confirms your plan is active by checking in with our licensing service from time to time. This is a quick, lightweight check that keeps your plan and device slots in sync. It does not send anything about your sessions; what is said on a call never leaves your machine.
The grace window
If SideSense cannot reach the licensing service, it does not lock you out. It keeps working for a grace window, so a flaky connection, a flight, or a weekend offline never interrupts you. As soon as you are back online it refreshes quietly in the background.
Questions, answered.
Can I use SideSense on a plane or with no internet?
Yes. The local lane with Ollama runs entirely offline, so you can practice and work with no connection. The app checks your license from time to time, but a grace window keeps you going through offline stretches.
What happens when the grace window ends?
SideSense asks you to reconnect so it can refresh your license, then you are back to normal. Your local data is never at risk during this: it stays on your machine the whole time.
Does the hosted lane work offline?
No. The hosted transcription and AI lane (coming soon), and any bring-your-own-key provider, need internet to reach the model. For fully offline use, run a local model with Ollama.
Works when your connection doesn't.
Run fully offline with a local model, and let the grace window handle the rest.