How to Access Google Drive Files Offline

It has been a while since people have started using cloud backup services to store their important data. Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud backup services which was launched in 2012. Google Drive allows you to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share files.

Must Read: Things You Can Do To Use Google Drive Better

As the usage of the Drive has been increasing, the developers have been trying to make it more accessible. The efforts can be seen with the introduction of the feature with which it makes possible to use Google Drive and access files offline.

You might have come across the situation, wherein you are in an area, where you have no internet connectivity and you need to access your Drive to fetch some data. You must have felt helpless at that time.

With this feature introduced, you can access your data offline as well. Let’s see how you can access Google Drive files offline.

Access Google Drive Files Offline on PC

If you are using a laptop or desktop, to access your Google Drive documents offline, you need to have Google Chrome browser.

• Open Google Chrome browser.
• Go to Chrome Web Store.
• Look for Google Docs Offline extension and download it.
• Once you have downloaded the extension, go to Google Drive account and navigate to Settings->Offline.

Note: Don’t forget to check mark beside the option Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drawings files to this computer so that you can edit offline.

It will take a few minutes to activate.

Access Google Drive Files Offline on Phone

With smartphones, everywhere, it is pretty convenient to get the Google Drive’s access when offline. It is a very simple process as there is no need to install an extension or additional app, follow these steps to access your documents on Google Drive offline:

• Go to Google Drive app.
• Navigate to the file you want to access and open it.
• Locate the three vertical dots at the top right-hand corner to open the menu.
• Look for Available Offline Option and slide the toggle to the right to turn it ON.

If you want to check, what files, you can access offline, tap the three horizontal lines located at the upper left-hand corner and select Offline.

Sadly, you have to manually make the files you want to access offline available by following the aforementioned steps for each one of them. As Google, couldn’t make you access all the files offline with a single tap due to the storage space considerations

In this way, you can make your Google Drive documents accessible when offline. Isn’t it great?

Now your work wouldn’t hamper even if you are travelling to remote areas as you will have access to all your documents.