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Overview
Files in your Google Drive typically stream from the cloud, and you are able to work on them in real time, as long as you have an internet connection. However, you can set preferences to access the file when you are offline and don't have an internet connection.
If you want to make a Google application file (such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides) available offline, you can do that in Google Drive. If you want to make a non-Google application (such as iPhotos, Microsoft Word, Paint, etc.), you can do that by locating the file on your computer and setting the preferences for that file.
These instructions are intended for your personal device, not a shared or public computer.
Before you get started
There are two steps to changing preferences to make a file available offline. (1) Enable offline access in your Google Drive. (Only needs to be performed once.) (2) Choose the file to make available offline.
How to
Step One: Enable offline access in Google Drive (one-time setting)
You will need to (1) have an internet connection and (2) use Chrome browser to complete these steps.
1. Open Google Drive in your browser.
2. Click the settings icon (gear icon) in the top right.
3. Click Settings.
4. Scroll to the Offline section. Check the box next to Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline.
5. Close out of Settings.
You have now set preferences to enable offline access for Google Drive.
Make files in Google applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides) available when offline
1. Make sure you enable offline access for Google Drive. (See instructions above; you only need to do this once.)
2. Using Chrome browser, access your Google Drive, and locate the file you want to make available offline.
3. Right-click on it.
4. Click Make Available Offline.
Note: A checkmark with a circle around it displays next to files that are available offline.
Make files in non-Google applications available when offline
1. Make sure you enable offline access for Google Drive. (See instructions above; you only need to do this once.)
2. On your computer, go to File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
3. Open the Google Drive folder.
4. Choose the file you want to make available offline.
5. Right-click the file you want to make available offline.
6. Click Show More Options.
7. Click Offline Access.
8. Click Available Offline.
Note: A green check displays next to files that are available offline.
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