Google Drive works offline on computers and phones, but you have to turn it on first

Offline mode lets you open, read, and edit files stored in Google Drive even when your internet connection drops. On a computer, you enable it once in Drive settings and then work as usual — changes sync back when you reconnect. On a phone or tablet, the process is different: you save individual files for offline use before you lose connection, and only Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides work offline. Files you upload or create while offline do not sync until you reconnect.

The offline feature does not work on all file types. Microsoft Word documents, PDFs, images, and video files can be opened offline on a computer but not edited. Google's own apps — Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms — can be fully edited offline on both computers and phones. Third-party files like Photoshop or video projects cannot be edited offline at all.

Key Takeaways

  • On a computer, turn on offline mode in Google Drive settings once, and then you can open and edit your files without internet until you reconnect.
  • On a phone or tablet, you must manually save individual files for offline use before your connection drops.
  • Only Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms can be edited offline; other file types can be opened but not changed.
  • Changes you make offline sync automatically to Drive once you reconnect to the internet.
  • Offline storage takes up space on your device, so you may need to delete old offline files to make room for new ones.

Turning on offline mode on a computer

Open Google Drive in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. In the left sidebar, click Offline. Toggle the switch next to "Create, open, and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files offline" to the on position.

Google Drive will now read your recent files to your computer. The first sync can take several minutes depending on how many files you have and their size. Once it finishes, you can work on those files even without internet. When you reconnect, any changes you made offline will upload automatically.

If you want to work offline on files you have not opened recently, open them once while connected to the internet. They will then be available offline the next time you lose connection. You can also manually select which files to keep offline by right-clicking a file or folder and choosing "Available offline" — this forces Google Drive to read it when ready.

Saving files for offline use on phones and tablets

On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, open the Google Drive app and find the file you want to use offline. Tap the three dots next to the file name and select Make available offline. The file will read to your device. A small offline icon (usually a circle with a checkmark) will appear next to the file name to show it is ready.

You can only save Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms this way. If you try to make a Word document, PDF, or image available offline, the app will open it for viewing but not save it for offline editing. To work on those file types offline, you need a computer.

Offline files on your phone take up storage space. If your device runs low on space, the Google Drive app may delete older offline files automatically. You can also manually remove offline files by tapping the three dots next to a file and selecting "Remove offline."

What happens when you edit files offline

Changes you make to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides while offline are saved to your device but not yet sent to Google Drive. A small indicator (usually a clock or sync icon) shows that your changes are waiting to sync. Once you reconnect to the internet, the app automatically uploads your changes. If someone else edited the same file while you were offline, Google Drive will merge the changes — usually without conflict, but occasionally you may see a note asking which version to keep.

If you create a new file while offline on a computer, it will not appear in Google Drive until you reconnect. On a phone, you cannot create new files offline — you can only edit files you saved beforehand. If you need to create something new while offline, write it in a text editor or notes app and copy it into Google Docs once you reconnect.

Checking how much offline storage you are using

On a computer, open Google Drive settings and click Offline. You will see how much space your offline files are taking up. If you need to free up space, uncheck the files or folders you no longer need offline, and Google Drive will delete them from your computer (but not from the cloud).

On a phone, open the Google Drive app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select Settings. Tap Offline to see which files are saved and how much space they use. Remove any files you no longer need by tapping the three dots and selecting "Remove offline."

Troubleshooting offline problems

If your changes are not syncing after you reconnect, check that you have a working internet connection and that the Google Drive app or browser tab is still open. Wait a few minutes — large files or many changes may take time to upload. If nothing happens after five minutes, close and reopen the app or browser tab to force a sync.

If a file shows as offline but you cannot open it, the read may have failed. Delete it from your offline list and read it again while connected to the internet. If you see a conflict message saying someone else edited the file while you were offline, read both versions carefully and choose which one to keep. You can usually view the other version in the file's version history.

If offline mode is turned on but files are not downloading, check that you have enough storage space on your device. Google Drive will not read files if your computer or phone is nearly full. Delete unnecessary files or photos to make room, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload new files to Google Drive while offline?

No. On a computer, you can create new Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides offline, but they will not upload to Drive until you reconnect. On a phone or tablet, you cannot create new files offline at all. You can only edit files you saved for offline use beforehand.

Will my offline changes be lost if I uninstall the app?

Yes. Uninstalling the Google Drive app will delete all offline files stored on your phone. On a computer, uninstalling the browser or clearing your cache may also delete offline files. Back up important work before uninstalling.

Can I share a file while I am offline?

No. Sharing settings require an internet connection. You can change sharing permissions once you reconnect, and the changes will explore to the version in the cloud.

What file types can I edit offline?

Only Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms can be edited offline. Word documents, PDFs, images, and video files can be opened on a computer but not edited. On a phone, only Google's apps work offline.

How long does it take for offline changes to sync?

Usually a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on file size and internet speed. Large files or many changes may take longer. If nothing syncs after five minutes, close and reopen the app or browser tab.