(Credit: Google / René Ramos)
Google Docs makes it easy to create and edit documents right from your web browser. There's no separate program to download, no updates to install, and no lost work—as long as you have an internet connection, Google's servers should back everything up. But what if you don't? When you're reliant on a good Wi-Fi connection, it makes Google Docs limited in usage. Good thing Google has a solution.
No internet? No problem. Offline capabilities on Google Drive let you finish a slideshow on the morning commute, update family finances in a Wi-Fi dead spot, and edit documents from 40,000 feet in the air. Unfortunately, it takes a bit of setup. Here's how to work on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline.
What You Need to Access Google Docs Offline
Google account
Chrome or Edge browser
No private browsing or Incognito Mode.
Google Docs Offline Chrome extension
Internet connection for initial setup
Enough space on your devices to store the docs you want to access offline
How to Enable Offline Access On Desktop
On a computer, open Google Drive and sign into your account. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Under the Offline section, make sure Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline is enabled.
It may be useful to note that once this is enabled on a computer, other Google accounts won't be able to use the feature on the same machine. You'd have to disable it on the other account, switch to another device, or set up Chrome profiles to make it work.
Offline access can also be turned on directly in Docs, Sheets, or Slides. Open any Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation and, at the top, next to the file title, click the cloud icon to see document status. If the content is not ready to edit offline, an explanation will appear. Click Turn on to preserve it for offline use. (Those running Microsoft Edge will be redirected to the Chrome Web Store to download the Google Docs Offline extension.)
You can also click File > Make available offline. From there, simply open Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides when you lose internet access, and get to work. If you're working on a public or shared computer, or just don't need offline access anymore, navigate back to settings and toggle offline access to off.
How to Enable Offline Access On Mobile
Even in the age of portable PCs, opening a laptop on the train or in the middle of dinner isn't always practical (or acceptable). Thankfully, Google's offline function also works on most smartphones and tablets, for those times when you need to work on the sly. Using an Android or iOS phone or tablet, open the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides app and navigate to Menu > Settings and enable Make recent files available offline.
Assuming you have enough storage, recently accessed files will be automatically saved offline once you enable the feature; find them via Menu > Offline. If you try to open any other documents, Google will ask if you want to save it for offline use, but that won't actually happen until you re-connect to the internet.
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