Google Docs and Drive have an offline mode that allows you to create and edit documents without an internet connection. Anything 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 Drive offline mode to work on your computer, you will need a Google account,Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge(other Chromium-based browsers might work), and the Google Docs Offline extension. You also need an internet connection to enable offline mode and download any recent files you need locally.

How to Use Google Docs Offline on Desktop

You can turn on offline access for your recent files or enable it for specific files. You’ll have to do this on every one of your computers to use Google Docs offline.

Install the Google Docs Offline Chrome Extension

The Google Docs Offline extension is available on theChrome Web Store. Navigate to it in your browser and clickAdd to Chrome.

In the pop-up, clickAdd Extensionto download and install it on your computer.

The Google Docs Offline extension in the Chrome Web Store.

Once downloaded, ensure the Google Docs Offline extension is enabled. In Chrome, click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, and head toExtensions > Manage Extensions. Find theGoogle Docs Offlineextension and click the toggle in the bottom-left corner of the card (it will turn blue when turned on).

In Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner and selectExtensions > Manage Extensionsin the menu. Find theGoogle Docs Offlineextension in the list and click the toggle next to it to turn it on.

The Google Offline Extension in the Manage Extensions page in Chrome.

Enable Offline Mode for Recent Files

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

To do that, openGoogle Docsin your web browser and sign in to your account. Click thehamburger menu—three-line icon—in the top-left corner of the screen and selectSettings.

The menu that appears when you click the three-line icon in the top-left corner in Google Docs.

Then, turn on the toggle next toOfflinein the pop-up to enable offline mode for Google Docs on that computer.

Make a File Available Offline

you’re able to also make specific files in Google Docs available offline. This helps if you want to make older files available for offline editing.

To do that, click the three-dot icon next to the file on the Google Docs home page and toggle onAvailable offline.

The Google Docs settings pop-up in Chrome.

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

How to Use Google Docs Offline on Mobile

On mobile, all you need is Google Docs for Android or iOS, which you may download onGoogle PlayorApp Store, respectively. The steps to enable offline mode are the same on both operating systems.

Make Recent Files Available Offline

In the Google Docs app, tap thehamburger menu—three-line icon—in the top-left corner and selectSettingsin the menu. Then, toggle onMake recent files available offline.

Make Files Available Offline

You can make files available offline on the Home screen by tapping thethree-dot iconnext to the file and selectingMake available offlinein the menu. You can also open the file, tap thethree-dot iconin the top-right corner, and toggle onAvailable offlinein 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.

you may create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files without an internet connection in Google Drive and edit them once you enable offline mode for recent files.

Making a document available offline in Google Docs.

To do that, go to theGoogle Drive websiteand sign in to your account. Then, clickSettings—the gear icon—in the top-right corner and selectSettingsin the menu. In theOfflinesection, tick the checkbox to enable offline mode for your recently opened files.

Enable Offline Mode for Specific Files

You can also download a non-recent file to local storage to make it available for offline editing. To do that, click thethree-dot iconnext to it and selectMake 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’re able to only make individual files available offline. To do that, you must first install the Google Drive mobile app for Android and iOS fromGoogle PlayandApp Store, respectively.

Once you open the app and sign in to your account, tap thethree-dot iconnext to a file and selectMake available offlinein the menu. When viewing a file offline in Google Drive, you won’t be able to edit it. To do that, you will need its corresponding mobile app installed (e.g., Google Docs for documents or Google Sheets for spreadsheets) with offline mode enabled.

Troubleshooting Google Docs and Drive Offline Issues

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

Offline Access Not Working

If you can’t access or edit documents in Google Docs offline, check if offline mode is enabled in your settings. Also, ensure you’renot in Incognito mode in Google Chromeor using private browsing in Edge—the Google Docs Offline extension might not work properly if you aren’t using standard browsing.

Files Not Syncing

If you don’t see the changes you made offline appear in the online version, ensure you’re connected to the internet. Wait for 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 arise. Google won’t resolve a conflict automatically, requiring you to manually review and choose which edits to keep. Ask anyone editing the document to use the Suggest Edits feature instead of making changes directly to make the process easier.

Out of Storage Space

If there is not enough space on your computer to store offline files, try clearing your browser cache. you may alsomake Chrome take less storage spaceby selectively choosing which files to make available offline instead of enabling offline access for all recent files.

Enabling offline mode in Google Docs or Drive is a great way tostay productive when your internet is down, you’re off-grid, or just taking a break from being online. Your work does not need to stop just because you are offline.