> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ofatoura.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Switching Branches on the ePOS App

> How to pick a branch on first login and switch between branches mid-session on the oFatoura waiter app, including what gets cleared and re-synced.

If your restaurant has more than one branch and your account has been assigned to multiple locations, the ePOS waiter app lets you choose which branch you are working in — either when you first sign in or at any point during your shift.

<Note>
  If your account is assigned to only one branch, the app loads that branch automatically and no picker is shown.
</Note>

## How the branch picker works

There are two ways the branch picker appears:

* **On first login (initial mode):** when you sign in and no branch session is cached, the app shows a full-screen branch list. You cannot go back or access any other part of the app until you pick a branch.
* **Mid-session (switch mode):** you can open the picker at any time from **Settings → Switch branch**. A back arrow is shown so you can cancel and return to what you were doing.

The picker lists every branch your account is assigned to, showing the branch name, address, and a "Primary" label on your default location. A checkmark highlights the branch you are currently working in.

## Picking a branch on first login

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in to the app">
    Enter your email and password on the login screen. After a successful login, if you are assigned to more than one branch and no branch is cached, the branch picker opens automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap the branch you want to work in">
    A loading indicator appears next to the branch name while the app connects. The app loads your permissions, settings, menu, and printer configuration for that branch.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start taking orders">
    Once the branch is confirmed, the app navigates to the home screen for that branch. You do not need to sign in again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Switching branches mid-session

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Tap the menu or settings icon in the app bar to open the **Settings** screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap Switch branch">
    Select **Switch branch** from the settings list. The branch picker opens with a back arrow so you can cancel if needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check for an open shift">
    If you have an open shift on your current branch, the app shows a warning. Leaving without closing the shift does not close it on the server — shift-restricted actions on the new branch will be unavailable until you return and close it properly. Tap **Switch branch** to proceed anyway, or tap **Cancel** to go back and close the shift first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap the new branch">
    The app wipes all data from the previous branch and loads fresh data for the new one. This takes a few seconds.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  If you switch branches while a shift is still open, that shift remains open on the original branch. You will need to switch back and close it before those shift-gated actions become available again.
</Warning>

## What happens when you switch

Switching branches does not sign you out. Your login session stays active. However, the app fully clears everything tied to the previous branch before loading the new one:

**Cleared from the device:**

* Open orders and KOT tickets
* Menu categories and items
* Tables and their live status
* Active cart and any items in progress
* Print job queue (both cloud and locally queued jobs)
* Printer configuration and reach settings
* Shift state, reservations, attendance session, notifications, and app settings cache

**Re-synced for the new branch:**

* Your role permissions for that branch
* Branch settings (including printer configuration and whether QSR mode is on)
* Realtime connections — order, table, and KOT channels reconnect to the new branch, and the print job stream re-binds to the new branch's printer setup

The resync runs in the background immediately after you pick the branch, so fresh data is usually available within a few seconds of arriving at the home screen.

<Tip>
  If the branch list looks out of date (for example, a newly added branch is missing), the app refreshes it automatically in the background each time the picker opens. Pull down on the list or simply wait a moment for the updated list to appear.
</Tip>

## Permissions

Any staff member assigned to more than one branch can switch between their assigned branches. You can only pick branches your account has been explicitly assigned to by an administrator — branches outside your assignment are not shown.

## Related

* [Logging In, Quick PIN, and Switching Users](/epos-app/login-and-pin)
* [ePOS App Settings and Manager Overrides](/epos-app/settings-and-overrides)
* [Print Jobs and Printer Setup on the ePOS App](/epos-app/print-jobs-and-printers)
* [Opening and Closing Shifts on the ePOS App](/epos-app/shifts-and-cash)
* [Switching Active Branch in the Web Admin](/getting-started/switching-branches-web)