Access Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs, even when you’re offline. It’s easy with Google Chrome.
It’s a question we face every time we set a new client up with Google Apps: what if I’m offline? Will I still be able to access everything?
That answer: absolutely. With Google’s new offline access you can read and write emails offline, and have read-only access to your calendars and documents.
Best of all: it’s easy to set up. Here’s how, in three simple steps.
Step 1: Install Chrome
Do you have Google’s Chrome on your computer? If not, download Chrome now. Whether you’re a Windows, Mac or Linux user doesn’t matter, because all three platforms are supported.
Sorry: offline access doesn’t work with Internet Explorer, Firefox or any other browser.
Step 2: Install The Apps
Got Chrome installed? Good. Now you need to install the apps for the services you want to install. Here are the links:
Gmail Offline
Google Calendar Offline
Google Docs Offline
Install the apps and you’ll see the above icons every time you open a “new tab.”
Step 3: Enable Syncing
Got the apps installed for the services you want to use offline? Let’s get syncing set up, then.
Gmail is easy: just lauch your new “Google Mail Offline” app and you’ll be asked for your username and password. Enter it and Chrome will start syncing.
Gmail’s offline interface is similar to its tablet interface:
You’ll be able to read all your email offline and compose new emails. For obvious reasons, any mail you send won’t actually be sent until you re-connect to the Internet.
Google Calendar and Google Docs are also easy to set up: just click the gear in the top-right corner, then click “Offline.” You’ll be prompted to enable syncing.
Google Docs offline doesn’t let you edit documents, but it does let you read your documents:
You can also browse your entire calendar offline. It will look just the way you’re used to, but it will not be possible to edit anything.
Conclusion
There you have it: access to your Google world, online or off. It’s good to know you can access your information even when the Internet isn’t available.
Have questions about Google Apps, or anything Google related? Can’t get the offline access working the way described here? Please contact us or visit us at 1825 Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. We’d love to answer your questions.