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Google Drive: How to Enable and Disable Offline Mode

Summary: This article shows how to Enable and Disable Offline Mode in Google Drive

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms


This is a Guide on Google Drive, how to enable and disable 'activate Offline Mode' for files to access them without an Internet connection.
Be aware that an Internet connection is required to set the mode for stored files.


Table of Contents:

  1. About the Google Drive
  2. Google Drive Offline
  3. Enable Google Drive offline
  4. Disable Google Drive offline

1. About the Google Drive

The Files app gives a quick access to all the files stored on the Chromebook and those stored on the web through Google Drive. Users can also use it to open files that are saved on an external storage device that is connected to the Chromebook.
Use the built-in Files app on the Chromebook to access files, like documents, PDFs, images, and media that are stored on the device or on the web in Google Drive.

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2. Google Drive Offline

All the documents that are saved in Google Drive can be made available offline. To enable offline mode, users need to be online and have a good Internet connection.

Note: If your Chrome OS is not connected to the Internet, users cannot enable offline capability. Connect to a network first, then follow the steps below. Also, keep in mind that must have at least one saved document that is stored in Google Drive to use offline.

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3. Enable Google Drive offline

Note: If the steps below do not resolve your issue with enabling and disabling Google Drive to work offline, follow the instructions that are provided in the following Google Support Article: Work on Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides offline SLN288763_en_US__3iC_External_Link_BD_v1 .
  1. Visit Google Drive either by clicking the Drive Icon SLN288763_en_US__41389974737239.google_drive1 or by visiting drive.google.com while you are online, and the sync process will begin automatically. (You will see a notification in the status area on the lower right of the screen showing you the progress of the syncing operation.)
  2. Once it is done, the documents will be available to be accessed offline.
  3. If any Google documents are open, clicking the SLN288763_en_US__41389974737239.google_drive1 Drive icon will open a list of these documents.
  4. Users may either close these documents or visit drive.google.com directly.

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4. Disable Google Drive offline

  1. In Chrome browser, go to drive.google.com.
  2. Click the Settings icon SLN288763_en_US__61389974868178.gear_icon in the top-right corner of your browser.
  3. Choose Settings.
  4. Click the box next to "Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drawings files to this computer so that you can edit offline."
Note: To disable offline access, uncheck the box.

Doc, Sheets, and Slides homescreens

  1. In Chrome browser, open the Docs, Sheets, or Slides homescreen.
  2. On the left, click the Menu icon SLN288763_en_US__81389974762333.apps_list.
  3. Choose Settings.
  4. Click Turn on. To disable offline access, click Turn off.

Now your files and folders will automatically be synced and will now be available without an Internet connection.

Additional Reference:

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Cause

Google Drive usage

Resolution

SLN288763_en_US__10BACKUP  Learn more on our Data Storage and Back-Up Solutions support page.

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Article Properties
Article Number: 000129844
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 27 Feb 2024
Version:  6
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