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How to use Google Docs offline on Android

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© nextpit

Did you know that you can use Google Docs offline? Did you also know that you can make edits while you are not connected to the internet and then have them show up next time you're online? Here's how to enable offline access to Google Docs.

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Who needs internet to work in Google Docs, Sheets or Slides? Not you! © ANDROIDPIT

Now that there are sexy new Material Design themed versions of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and so on, we'll show you to quickly enable offline access in the latest version. Our demo here is for Google Docs on the Nexus 5, but the same process applies to Sheets and Slides and it also works in older versions of Google's apps.

How to enable offline Google Docs

Note: You must be connected to the internet to enable offline access to Google Docs, but once it is done you'll be able to access and edit Google Docs without an internet connection.

1. Launch the app on your phone and you will see your saved documents.

2. On the right of each document's title, you'll see three little gray dots.

3. Tap the three dots next to the title and you'll see a mini menu for each individual document.

AndroidPIT Google Docs offline
Just tap the three dots and tap ''Keep on device'' so you see a check mark. © ANDROIDPIT

4. Tap the entry for ''Keep on device'' and you will see a check mark next to it. This means that the document has been cached for offline viewing.

AndroidPIT Google Docs offline 2
This is the same step as above, but in list view. © ANDROIDPIT

5. If you swipe open the navigation drawer from the side (or tap the hamburger menu at the top left of the Google Docs screen) you'll see a section called ''On Device.'' This is where your saved offline documents live.

AndroidPIT Google Docs offline on device
Your saved documents will now appear under ''On device'' in your navigation drawer. © ANDROIDPIT

6. You can now access your saved Google Docs when you're not connected to the internet, either by using the ''On Device'' sub-menu or just trying to open a document in the usual document view. If it has been enabled for offline access it will open as normal, if not, you'll see an error message.

AndroidPIT Google Docs offline cached
You'll see an error message if a document hasn't been set for offline access (left), but if you've checked ''Keep on device,'' the document will now be available offline. © ANDROIDPIT

7. Any edits you make while offline will be synced the next time you are online, so access to the internet will no longer be a barrier to editing texts on the fly.

Do you use Google Docs offline? What else do you wish you could do offline?

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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1 Comment
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All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 4
    Andi Feb 3, 2015 Link to comment

    google doc is best only for reading. if editing I prefer polaris its way much better.