How to Use Google Drive Files Offline on Mac
Google’s productivity suite apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides share a generous 15GB of storage with the rest of the Google services you can use. Google Drive is becoming a cloud storage service allowing Mac users to sync and organize files. Also, you don’t need to rely on Google Drive web to download the latest files and documents. Google offers a robust Drive client on Mac for working on saved files without an internet connection.
We will first configure the native Google Drive app to make relevant files offline on Mac. Next, we will show you how to work on these files without an internet connection using the Google Chrome browser. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Set up Google Drive on Mac
If you frequently deal with Google Drive files on Mac, we recommend setting up the Drive client. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Download and install the Drive client on your Mac. Open it and sign in using your Google account details.
2nd step: Click the Google Drive icon in the menu bar.
Step 3: Select the Settings cogwheel to open Preferences.
Step 4: Select Google Drive from the left sidebar.
You have two options:
Feed files: The option stores all My Drive files in the cloud only. You can access files from a virtual drive or folder on your computer and create relevant files offline.
Mirror files: Be careful when using this option. It stores all My Drive files in the cloud and on your computer. Although all files are automatically available offline, it consumes a lot of storage space on your Mac. Suppose you have 100 GB of data in Google Drive, the app also takes up the same space on your Mac.
Step 7: Click the radio button next to “Streaming Files” and close the Google Drive Preferences menu.
You can now open the Finder app on Mac and check your Google Drive folder under “Places”.
Take Required Google Drive Files Offline on Mac
Now that you’ve set up Google Drive on Mac, it’s time to save your important files offline. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Launch Finder on Mac.
2nd step: Select Google Drive under “Places”.
Step 3: Open “My Drive”.
Step 4: Check the folders and files you want to use offline on your Mac.
Step 5: Right-click on it and select “Available Offline” or “Download Now” from the context menu.
macOS will download selected files and folders to your Mac for use without an internet connection. You will notice a green checkmark next to these files and folders. Check the screenshot below for reference. You can now send these files to others, attach them to an email and open them locally in another application (PDF reader, for example).
To delete offline Drive files, select these folders and documents and right-click on them. Select “Delete Download” from the context menu.
If you want to open and edit Docs, Sheets, and Slides files offline, you need to launch them in the Chrome browser.
Set Google Chrome as Default Browser on Mac
Once you set Google Chrome as your default browser on Mac, your offline Drive files will open there directly.
Step 1: Install Google Chrome from the web.
2nd step: Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner.
Step 3: Open System Settings.
Step 4: Scroll down to “Desktop and Dock”.
Step 5: Expand the Default web browser option.
Step 6: Select Google Chrome and close the menu.
Step 7: Open Google Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store.
Step 8: Install the Google Docs Offline extension to work with such files without an Internet connection.
Activate offline function
You need to enable the offline switch in Google Docs to create, open, and edit your recent Google Docs files without a network connection.
Step 1: Head to Google Docs on the web and click the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
2nd step: Open Settings.
Step 3: Enable the “Offline” toggle and close the menu.
Launch Google Drive when Mac starts
The next time your Mac connects to an internet connection, Drive will automatically sync changes. Follow the steps below to open Google Drive on system startup.
Step 1: Go to Google Drive Preferences on Mac (refer to the steps above).
2nd step: Select the settings gear in the upper right corner.
Step 3: Scroll down and enable the checkmark next to “Launch at system startup”.
No internet No problem
The Google Drive client on Mac will allow you to sync and organize your files directly. With the Google Chrome browser, you can enjoy smooth working hours even when there are network issues on your Mac.