If you travel frequently, have spotty internet, or want to work on a flight, you can set up Google Drive to work entirely offline. Depending on your needs, you can either enable offline mode in your browser for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, or you can use the desktop application to access all file types offline.
Method 1: Browser-Based (Best for Docs, Sheets, & Slides)
This method allows you to edit native Google files directly in your web browser without an internet connection. Note: You must use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Do not use Incognito mode.
- Install the Extension: Open Chrome or Edge and install the official Google Docs Offline browser extension.
- Enable the Setting: Go to your Google Drive on the web. Click the Gear icon in the top right and select Settings. Scroll down to the “Offline” section and check the box next to “Create, open, and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline.”
- Make Files Available: While still connected to the internet, find the specific files you know you will need. Right-click the file and toggle on Available offline. A small checkmark icon will appear next to the file name.
When you lose internet, simply open your browser and navigate to drive.google.com as usual. Your offline files will be accessible, and any changes you make will sync automatically once you reconnect.
Method 2: Google Drive for Desktop (Best for All File Types)
If you need offline access to PDFs, Word documents, images, or large folders, you should use the desktop app.
- Install the App: Download and install the Google Drive for desktop application for Windows or macOS.
- Sign In: Log into your Google Account. Drive will now appear as a physical hard drive location in your Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder.
- Choose Sync Settings: Click the Google Drive icon in your taskbar/menu bar, click the Gear icon, and choose Preferences. You have two options for your files:
- Mirroring: This downloads everything in your Drive directly to your computer’s hard drive. All files are automatically available offline, but this uses a lot of local storage space.
- Streaming: This keeps files in the cloud to save space. To use a file offline, open your File Explorer/Finder, navigate to the Google Drive folder, right-click the specific file or folder you need, select Offline access, and click Available offline.
Any edits made to these offline files will automatically upload to the cloud the next time your computer connects to the internet.