Lovable realtime

Real-Time Database Sync Not Updating in Lovable

Data changes in your Lovable app don't appear in real-time for other users. When one user creates, updates, or deletes a record, other users (or even the same user in another tab) don't see the change until they manually refresh the page.

Real-time functionality is essential for chat apps, collaborative tools, dashboards, and notification systems. When it breaks, your app feels sluggish and outdated compared to modern web applications.

The issue may be subtle — some tables update in real-time while others don't, or real-time works for inserts but not updates or deletes.

Error Messages You Might See

Realtime connection closed Subscription error: not authorized Channel error: timeout Max Realtime connections reached
Realtime connection closedSubscription error: not authorizedChannel error: timeoutMax Realtime connections reached

Common Causes

  • Supabase Realtime not enabled for table — The database table doesn't have Realtime publication enabled in Supabase settings
  • Missing subscription setup — The frontend code doesn't subscribe to real-time changes using Supabase's on() method
  • RLS blocking Realtime — Row Level Security policies prevent the subscription from receiving updates the user should see
  • Channel not cleaned up — Multiple subscriptions accumulate on component re-renders, causing memory leaks and missed events
  • Free tier limits — Supabase free tier limits concurrent Realtime connections, dropping connections when exceeded

How to Fix It

  1. Enable Realtime for the table — In Supabase dashboard → Database → Replication, enable Realtime for the specific table
  2. Set up subscription correctly — Use supabase.channel('table-changes').on('postgres_changes', { event: '*', schema: 'public', table: 'your_table' }, callback).subscribe()
  3. Check RLS policies — Ensure your RLS policies allow SELECT for the subscribed user on the rows they need to see
  4. Clean up subscriptions — In React, return a cleanup function from useEffect that removes the subscription when the component unmounts
  5. Monitor connection status — Subscribe to channel status changes to detect and handle disconnections

Real developers can help you.

legrab legrab I'll fill this later Jared Hasson Jared Hasson Full time lead founding dev at a cyber security saas startup, with 10 yoe and a bachelor's in CS. Building & debugging software products is what I've spent my time on for forever Daniel Vázquez Daniel Vázquez Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience on Startups, Government, big tech industry & consulting. Simon A. Simon A. I'm a backend developer building APIs, emulators, and interactive game systems. Professionally, I've developed Java/Spring reporting solutions, managed relational and NoSQL databases, and implemented CI/CD workflows. PawelPloszaj PawelPloszaj I'm fronted developer with 10+ years of experience with big projects. I have small backend background too Stanislav Prigodich Stanislav Prigodich 15+ years building iOS and web apps at startups and enterprise companies. I want to use that experience to help builders ship real products - when something breaks, I'm here to fix it. prajwalfullstack prajwalfullstack Hi Im a full stack developer, a vibe coded MVP to Market ready product, I'm here to help Basel Issmail Basel Issmail ’m a Senior Full-Stack Developer and Tech Lead with experience designing and building scalable web platforms. I work across the full development lifecycle, from translating business requirements into technical architecture to delivering reliable production systems. My work focuses on modern web technologies, including TypeScript, Angular, Node.js, and cloud-based architectures. I enjoy solving complex technical problems and helping teams turn product ideas and prototypes into working platforms that can grow and scale. In addition to development, I often collaborate closely with product managers, business analysts, designers, and QA teams to ensure that solutions align with both technical and business goals. I enjoy working with startups and product teams where I can contribute both as a hands-on engineer and as a technical partner in designing and delivering impactful software. zipking zipking I am a technologist and product builder dedicated to creating high-impact solutions at the intersection of AI and specialized markets. Currently, I am focused on PropScan (EstateGuard), an AI-driven SaaS platform tailored for the Japanese real estate industry, and exploring the potential of Archify. As an INFJ-T, I approach development with a "systems-thinking" mindset—balancing technical precision with a deep understanding of user needs. I particularly enjoy the challenge of architecting Vertical AI SaaS and optimizing Small Language Models (SLMs) to solve specific, real-world business problems. Whether I'm in a CTO-level leadership role or hands-on with the code, I thrive on building tools that turn complex data into actionable value. Kingsley Omage Kingsley Omage Fullstack software engineer passionate about AI Agents, blockchain, LLMs.

You don't need to be technical. Just describe what's wrong and a verified developer will handle the rest.

Get Help

Frequently Asked Questions

How many real-time connections can I have on the free tier?

Supabase free tier allows up to 200 concurrent Realtime connections. Each browser tab or user session uses at least one connection. If you exceed this, new connections are rejected.

Does Realtime work with Row Level Security?

Yes, but the RLS policies must allow the subscribing user to SELECT the rows they want to receive updates for. If RLS blocks the query, the subscription won't receive events.

Related Lovable Issues

Can't fix it yourself?
Real developers can help.

You don't need to be technical. Just describe what's wrong and a verified developer will handle the rest.

Get Help