Google Drive is testing a full offline storage mode for all files

[midian182]

Something to look forward to: As helpful as cloud-based storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive are, their limitations are all too apparent when you’re stuck without an internet connection. Thankfully, offline modes are here to save us.

While Google Drive already allows users to save individual Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides locally, the company is now experimenting with a feature that expands this function to include non-Google files, including PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, images, and more.

“This feature helps complete the offline experience for Google Drive. Now, users can access their important non-Google files in an offline setting, like when they’re traveling or when there’s poor internet connectivity,” writes Google.

Google is now accepting applications to join the new beta that will allow testers to mark non-Google files for offline access. Sadly, it's currently exclusive to organizations using G Suite, and can only be used via Google Chrome.

Those who do get onto the beta can try out the feature by enabling offline from within the Drive or Docs settings, then signing into the Chrome account associated with the G Suite organization and accessing Drive File Stream. Marking non-Google files as available offline is simply a matter of right-clicking on a file and selecting “Make available offline.”

Google adds that although the feature is not available in ChromeOS, it is working on bringing the offline capabilities to its platform in the future.

While this is a G Suite exclusive right now, expect it to reach other users eventually. Whether it expands to browsers beyond Chrome seems less likely.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/80657-google-drive-testing-full-offline-storage-mode-all.html

 

[GregonMaui]

It works fine synching my files on MacOS, always has. I copy a bunch of archive stuff to Google Drive, I can open them in Finder with wifi off, I can open them on iPhone. works great. Maybe this is a fix to the windows version?

 

[Dyson Parkes]

I copy a bunch of archive stuff to Google Drive

This aims to make it so you can mark files that aren't in your Drive folder to be synced - much like OneDrive does with Windows, allowing you to access any file on the machine remotely rather than just what's in the main folder.

Instead of moving your file, you flag it for 'offline sync', and it'll sync from where it is now - so any files that have to be in a specific location for a program to see them can still be synced.

 

[GregonMaui]

This aims to make it so you can mark files that aren't in your Drive folder to be synced - much like OneDrive does with Windows, allowing you to access any file on the machine remotely rather than just what's in the main folder.

Instead of moving your file, you flag it for 'offline sync', and it'll sync from where it is now - so any files that have to be in a specific location for a program to see them can still be synced.

Thank-you. Well said.

It is refreshing to get a professional level response instead of the usual name-calling vitriol you see from some. Keep up being a good human being!

 

[Dyson Parkes]

Thank-you. Well said.

It is refreshing to get a professional level response instead of the usual name-calling vitriol you see from some. Keep up being a good human being!

You're most welcome. Sometimes a clear, concise reply is all that's needed.