A method and apparatus for transferring information in synchronizing a server and a handheld device are disclosed. The information is binary information that is then compressed using a suitable compression algorithm. The compressed binary data is then text encoded using a suitable text encoding algorithm. The text encoded information is then encoded according to a protocol associated with the connection between the server and the handheld device. For example, the server can perform the compression and encoding operations on database data to be downloaded to the handheld device to reduce the time needed to transfer the information between the server and the handheld device.