Google Docs automatically saves your documents to an online cloud storage system, making it easily accessible via PC and mobile devices. However, accessing work can be difficult if you don’t have a stable internet connection.
In such cases, the best way to access files offline is to download Google Docs to your system or make a version of Google Docs available offline. Additionally, downloading a file allows you to change the Google Doc format to a different one, such as .pdf or .txt as well. Keep reading this article if you’re also looking for ways to download Google Docs to your PC or mobile device.
How to Download a Google Doc?
You have several options to download the Google Doc on your system. PCs offer additional functionality and are more flexible than mobile devices. You can download Google Docs itself directly, or download multiple files from Google Drive at once. When it comes to mobile devices, options are limited, especially for iOS devices compared to Android.
On PC
As mentioned previously, the PC version offers more versatility when downloading a Google Doc. Here, you can download files from Google Docs and Google Drive. However, you can choose multiple file types when downloading from Google Docs, whereas .docx is the only format when downloading from Google Drive.
Here’re the steps to download from Google Docs:
- Click on File at the top left corner.
- Click on Download.
- Select the format of the file you wish to download.
- Choose a save location and click on Save.
Here’re the steps to download Google Docs from Google Drive:
- Open Google Drive.
- Right-click on the Google Doc you wish to download.
- Click on Download.
- Choose a save location and click on Save.
On Mobile
For Android, you can download the file from the Google Drive/Docs app and save it on your device in PDF format. However, you cannot download Docs from Google Drive on your iPhone. Instead, you have to download it from the Google Docs app. Download the Google Docs app from the AppStore or the Google Play store and follow the given steps:
On Android
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Navigate to the Google Doc and tap on the three dots icon.
- Select the Download option.
- Tap on Allow on the given prompt.
- Choose a location to save the Doc.
On iOS
- Open Google Docs.
- Tap the three dots icon.
- Scroll down and select Send a copy.
- Select a format to save the Docs in and tap on Ok.
- Scroll down and select Save to File.
- Choose a save location and tap Save.
How to Download Multiple Docs At Once?
You can also download multiple Google Docs at once from Google Drive. However, this feature is exclusive to the PC version. Also, you cannot select the format when downloading multiple files. By default, it will be in .docx format. For mobile devices, the files must be downloaded one at a time. Follow the given steps to download multiple Google Docs:
- On your web browser, open Google Drive.
- Press the Ctrl key on your keyboard and proceed to select the files you wish to download.
- Right-click on any selected file and click on Download.
- All the files will be compressed into a zip file. Choose a save location and click on Save.
- Right-click on the downloaded zip file and select Extract All.
- Choose a location and click on Extract.
How to Make Google Docs Available Offline?
Making a Google Doc offline ensures access to that document even when the internet is unavailable. The changes you make in the Doc while in an offline state will be updated once you’re connected to the internet. For PC, you need to install the Google Doc Offline extension to your browser. On Mobile, you can make Google Docs available offline through the app.
On PC
- Add the Google Doc extension on your web browser.
- Open the Google Doc and click on File.
- Select Make available offline.
On Android/iOS
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Tap the three dots icon beside the Google Doc.
- Tap on the Make available offline option.
