How to use Google Docs or Sheets offline on Android

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Google Docs and Sheets are fantastic office tools that come free for all Google users. You can access your files across platforms thanks to Google Drive, and you can edit your files offline on your Android device. Make all new files available offline, and make individual older files available offline. Here's how.

How to make all new Google files available offline on Android

  1. Launch the Docs or Sheets app from your home screen or app drawer.
  2. Tap the menu button in the top left of your screen. It looks like ☰.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Tap the slider next to the Offline row so that it is blue (on). This will ensure new documents or sheets you create are available offline.

How to make older Google files available offline on Android

  1. Launch the Docs or Sheets app from your home screen or app tray.
  2. Tap an older document you'd like to make available offline.
  3. Tap the menu button in the top right corner of the screen. It looks like three stacked dots.
  4. Tap the slider next to the Available offline row so that it is blue (on). This document is now available offline.

Each older document must be given offline privileges — there is no all-encompassing offline switch for older documents.

How do you use Google Docs and Sheets?

Have you taken advantage of the ability to use Google Docs and Sheets offline? Let us know in the comments section below!

Cale Hunt
Cale Hunt
Cale Hunt is a staff writer at Mobile Nations. He focuses mainly on PC, laptop, and accessory coverage, as well as the emerging world of VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
5 Comments
  • Nice tips. But oh man, there's so much to keep up with.
    You can't do this with Android. Oh now you can. That will never work the same as another OS, although now try this way. Can we officially have 26 hours in a day to keep up with this stuff. I'll say it again : when is Google going to give us the finished product :p
  • This has been part of the app for some time now. Additionally, new features come out all the time. That's how app development works.
  • Good info, thank u!
  • If you choose offline access are the docs and sheets stored in your devices internal storage? Posted via the Android Central App
  • Just wish when you have QuickOffice that a user cannot uninstall but is prompted to install Google docs, that somehow without root QuickOffice could be uninstalled. Posted via the Android Central App