How to Use Gmail Offline on Desktop

This guide shows you how to read, search, and reply to your Gmail messages even when you don’t have an internet connection. You’ll learn how to enable Gmail’s built-in offline mode in Chrome or Edge, set up your sync preferences, and work with your email while disconnected. You’ll need a Google account and the Chrome or Edge browser on your desktop.

What You’ll Need

A Google account (personal or Google Workspace)
Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser on your desktop (Gmail offline is not supported in Firefox or Safari)
A stable internet connection for the initial setup and sync
Enough free disk space to store your offline email (typically a few hundred MB, but can grow with attachments)

Step-by-Step

Open Gmail in your browser. Go to mail.google.com and sign in to the account you want to use offline.
Access Settings. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner, then select See all settings.
Open the Offline tab. In the settings page, click the Offline tab (it’s near the top, between “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” and “Themes”).
Enable offline mail. Click the Enable offline mail checkbox. A few options will appear below it.
Choose sync range. Select how many days of email you want available offline: 7, 30, or 90 days. The default is 30 days. Keep in mind that a longer range uses more disk space.
Decide whether to download attachments. Check the box Download attachments if you want to open files from your email while offline. This increases storage usage significantly, so only enable it if you need it.
Set security preference. Choose what happens when you send a message while offline. You can either keep a copy on this computer (and sync it later) or not keep a copy (and only send when online). The first option is usually safer.
Save changes. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom. Gmail will reload and begin syncing your selected emails to your computer. This may take a few minutes depending on your mailbox size and internet speed.
Go offline. Once the sync completes, you can disconnect from the internet. Gmail will still work in your browser tab. A small cloud icon with a slash will appear in the top-right corner to indicate you’re offline.
Use Gmail while offline. You can read emails, search within the synced messages, compose new emails, and reply to existing ones. Outgoing messages are stored in your Outbox and are sent automatically when you reconnect.

Common Mistakes

Using an unsupported browser. Gmail offline only works in Chrome or Edge. If you’re using Firefox, Safari, or another browser, the Offline tab won’t appear in settings.
Not syncing before going offline. If you enable offline mode and immediately disconnect, you may not have all your emails yet. Wait for the sync indicator (a circular arrow) to finish.
Forgetting to enable attachments. If you need to view attachments offline, you must check the “Download attachments” box. Otherwise, attachments will appear but won’t open.
Using multiple accounts. Offline mode is enabled per account. If you use multiple Gmail accounts, you need to enable offline mode for each one separately.
Clearing browser data. If you clear your browser’s cache or cookies, you may lose your offline emails. Gmail will need to resync.

Tips

Use the search bar. While offline, Gmail searches only the emails that are synced to your computer. Keep your sync range long enough to cover the emails you’ll need.
Compose with confidence. You can write emails while offline. They’ll sit in your Outbox and send automatically when you reconnect. You can also edit them before they send.
Check storage. To see how much space offline emails are using, go to Settings > Offline. There’s a note showing the approximate size.
Sync on a reliable connection. If you have a slow connection, the initial sync may take a while. It’s best to do it on a fast, unmetered connection.
Keep the tab open. If you close the Gmail tab while offline, you won’t be able to access your offline mail. Keep the tab open in your browser.

Troubleshooting

Offline tab not visible. Make sure you’re using Chrome or Edge. Also, if you’re using a Google Workspace account, your administrator may have disabled offline access. Contact your IT admin.
Emails not syncing. Check your internet connection and ensure you’re signed in. Go to Settings > Offline and click “Clear offline data” to reset, then re-enable offline mode and let it sync again.
Can’t send emails while offline. Ensure you have the “keep a copy on this computer” option selected. Also, check that your Outbox is not full. If you have a large attachment, it may take longer to sync.
Search doesn’t find emails. Offline search only covers synced emails. Increase the sync range (e.g., from 30 to 90 days) to include more messages.
Changes not saved. If you change settings and they don’t stick, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then sign in again and re-enable offline mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Gmail offline work on Mac?

Yes, as long as you use Chrome or Edge on macOS. The steps are the same as on Windows.

Can I use Gmail offline without Chrome?

No, Gmail’s offline feature is only available in Chrome and Edge. Other browsers don’t support it. You could use a third-party email client like Outlook or Thunderbird with IMAP, but that’s a different setup.

Will my sent emails while offline be sent later?

Yes, they are placed in your Outbox and sent automatically when you reconnect to the internet. You can also cancel them before they send by going to the Outbox and deleting the draft.

How much storage does Gmail offline use?

It depends on the number of emails and whether you download attachments. A typical 30-day sync without attachments might use a few hundred MB. With attachments, it can be several GB.

Can I access offline emails on my phone?

No, Gmail offline is only for desktop browsers. On mobile, you can use the Gmail app’s offline feature, which is separate.

What happens if I sign out of Gmail while offline?

You won’t be able to access your offline emails until you sign back in, which requires an internet connection. It’s best to stay signed in.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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