Google Docs and Drive can work without internet: Here’s how

Google Docs and Drive have an offline mode that allows you to create and edit documents without an internet connection. Whatever you do will sync with the online version when you’re back online. You can enable this mode quite easily.

What you need to enable offline mode in Google Docs and Drive

For Google Docs and Google Drive offline mode to work on your computer, you’ll need a Google Account, Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (other Chromium-based browsers may work), and the Google Docs Offline extension. You also need an internet connection to enable offline mode and download all the latest files you need locally.

How to use Google Docs offline on your desktop

You can turn on offline access for your recent files or enable it for specific files. To use Google Docs offline, you’ll need to do this on each of your computers.

Install the Google Docs Offline Chrome extension

The Google Docs Offline extension is available in the Chrome Web Store. Go to it in your browser and click Add to Chrome.

In the pop-up window, click on Add extension download and install on your computer.

After downloading, make sure the Google Docs Offline extension is enabled. In Chrome, click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner and go to Extensions > Manage Extensions. Find it Google Docs Offline extension and click the switch in the lower left corner of the tab (blue when turned on).

In Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner and select Extensions > Manage Extensions in the menu. Find it Google Docs Offline extension in the list and click the switch next to it to turn it on.

Enable offline mode for recent files

You can enable offline access for your latest files. Google doesn’t provide information on what counts as recent, but we can assume it’s anything you’ve created in the last 30 days.

To do this, open Google Docs in a web browser and sign in to your account. Click on hamburger menu—three lines icon — in the upper left corner of the screen and select Settings.

Then turn on the switch next to it Offline in the pop-up window to enable offline mode for Google Docs on that computer.

Make the file available offline

You can also make specific files in Google Docs available offline. This helps if you want to make older files available for offline editing.

To do this, click the three dots icon next to the file on the Google Docs home page and turn it on Available offline.

You can also open the file and click File > Make available offline.

How to use Google Docs offline on mobile

On your mobile, all you need is Google Docs for Android or iOS, which you can download from Google Play or the App Store. The steps to enable offline mode are the same in both operating systems.

Access recent files offline

In the Google Docs app, tap hamburger menu—three lines icon — in the upper left corner and select Settings in the menu. Then turn it on Access recent files offline.

Make files available offline

You can access files offline on the home screen by tapping icon with three dots next to the file and selecting Make available offline in the menu. You can also tap to open the file icon with three dots in the upper right corner and turn on Available offline in the menu.

How to use Google Drive offline on desktop

Google Drive also has an offline mode that allows you to access documents, spreadsheets, and Slides files without an internet connection.

Enable offline mode for recent files

You can create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files in Google Drive offline and edit them once you enable offline mode for recent files.

To do this, go to the Google Drive website and sign in to your account. Then click Settings—gear icon—in the upper right corner and select Settings in the menu. IN Offline check the box to enable offline mode for your recently opened files.

Enable offline mode for specific files

You can also download an out-of-date file to your local storage and make it available for offline editing. To do this, tap on icon with three dots next to it and select Make available offline.

How to use Google Drive offline on mobile

The Google Drive mobile app doesn’t have an option to turn on offline mode for recent files – you can only make individual files available offline. To do this, you must first install the Google Drive mobile app for Android and iOS from Google Play and the App Store.

Once you open the app and sign in to your account, tap on icon with three dots next to the file and select Make available offline in the menu. When viewing a file offline in Google Drive, you won’t be able to edit it. To do this, you will need the corresponding mobile application installed (eg Google Docs for documents or Google Sheets for spreadsheets) with offline mode enabled.

app on iPhone.” src=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/view-file-google-drive-offline-iphone.PNG” style=”display:block;height:auto;max-width:100%;”/>

Troubleshoot issues with Google Docs and Drive offline

Here are some common issues you may encounter when using Google Docs and Drive offline:

Offline access does not work

If you can’t access or edit documents in Google Docs offline, check that offline mode is enabled in your settings. Also, make sure you’re not in incognito mode in Google Chrome or using Private Browsing in Edge – the Google Docs Offline extension may not work properly if you’re not using Standard Browsing.

Files are not syncing

If you don’t see the changes you made offline in the online version, make sure you’re connected to the Internet. Wait a few minutes, and if the changes still don’t appear, refresh the page or reopen the document.

Conflicting edits

When multiple people edit the same document offline, conflicts can occur. Google won’t resolve the conflict automatically, so you’ll need to manually review and select which edits you want to keep. Ask anyone editing the document to use the Suggest Edits feature instead of making changes directly to make the process easier.

Lack of storage space

If there is not enough space on your computer to store offline files, try clearing your browser’s cache. You can also make Chrome take up less storage space by selectively choosing which files to make available offline instead of allowing offline access for all recent files.

Enabling offline mode in Google Docs or Drive is a great way to stay productive when you’re down, offline, or just taking a break from being online. Your work doesn’t have to stop just because you’re offline.