How to Use Google G Suite Offline (No Internet)

Even if a device is not connected to the Internet, students can still do a lot of their work in Google Apps offline.  Students can work in their Gmail, look at Google Calendar, take notes in Google Keep, and work on documents in Google Drive.

In this post, we’ll take a look at how to make sure your device is setup to work offline and discuss the limitations if there are any.

Please Note: There are some limitations in offline mode when using Windows and macOS computers. See below for more info.

Also, Google Classroom currently does NOT currently offer an offline mode. 😢  However, if your teacher puts assignments in Classroom with due dates, you should have some info on assignments in your Google Calendar from the last time you synced your Chromebook Google Calendar app.

Gmail Offline

Gmail can be used offline using the Google Chrome browser on Windows / macOS / Chromebook devices. 

How to Use Gmail Offline

You can read emails that were downloaded the last time you used Gmail on that device and you can reply and compose new emails that can be sent the next time you connect your device to the internet.

How to setup Gmail Offline

For more information on using Gmail offline, please visit Google Help | Use Gmail Offline website.

Google Calendar Offline

Google Calendar is only available offline when using a Chromebook AND when using the Google Calendar Android app from the Google Play Store.  Google Calendar Offline is not available on Windows and macOS devices.

How to Use Google Calendar Offline

When offline, you are able to view the calendar using the information from the last time the Chromebook was on the internet.  You are able to create new events and invite users.  Keep in mind that users will not receive the event invitation until your Chromebook and the Google Calendar app are able to connect to the internet and sync information with Google.

How to Setup Google Calendar Offline

For more information on using Google Calendar offline, please visit Google Help | See your calendar offline website.

Google Drive Offline

Google Drive can be used offline using the Google Chrome browser on Windows / macOS / Chromebook.  All you have to do is set it up using the steps pictured below.

How to Use Google Drive Offline

When offline is ready, go to Drive the next time you’re online, open files in Drive you would like to be offline and Drive will automatically save it for offline use.  You can also right-click on files in your Drive files list  to make available offline all the time.  When you need to work with offline files, at the top-right, click the Ready for offline button and that will reveal the files available for offline.

How to setup Google Drive Offline

For more information on using Google Drive offline, please visit Google Help | Work on Google Drive files offline on your Chromebook website.

Google Keep Offline

Google Keep is only available offline when using a Chromebook AND the Google Keep Android app from the Google Play Store.  Google Keep Offline is not available on Windows and macOS devices.

How to Save Notes offline

When offline, you will be able to view notes from the last time the Chromebook was on the internet.  You are able to create new notes and edit notes.  Notes added to Google Keep will be updated when the Google Keep app is able to connect to the internet and sync with Google.

How to setup Google Keep Offline

For more information on using Google Keep offline, please visit Google Help | Use your Chromebook offline website.

Questions / Comments

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