Anyone that you have worked with Gmail you witness the enormous amount of functions available to you to facilitate user tasks. However, it has the same hurdle that all email servers have: lack of connection.
There will be situations where the internet connection will fail and we will run out of email, but this does not happen with Gmail, since this mail service includes the particular option of working without an internet connection.
This useful function is efficient for Gmail users who have intermittent internet connection, and right now we will teach you everything you need to know to perform in your Gmail account with this interesting feature.
What is Gmail offline mode and what are the most interesting features of this mode?
It is a new functionality integrated into the mail service Gmail in its most recent redesign, thanks to its integration with Google Workspace. Its usefulness lies in the fact that, when activated, it allows you to store the latest seven, 30 or 90 days of mail. This will allow us to review, consult and partially manage our message boxes, even if we don’t have an internet connection. This function is very useful for users with an unstable connection or who, for one reason or another, must spend time in an offline area.
In addition to reading and managing messages, Gmail offers the ability to reply to your emails offline. It will take you to the response writing screen and the message will be ready and stored in the outbox, pending to be sent as soon as your internet service is restored.
It should be noted that although Gmail is not the only email service with this possibility, since mail clients like Foxmail or Thunderbird have this function, Gmail is the only one that allows you to do it from its web portal, without having a client to install on the computer.
Learn step by step how to use and configure Gmail’s offline mail mode on any device
It is possible to activate Gmail offline mode through its settings, however, this function is only accessible on the computer from the Google Chrome browser, and is not available in its mobile applications. However, the latter have functionalities that they will allow you to manage and interact with your available emails, regardless of whether or not you have an internet connection.
The configuration process to activate this is really simple to complete from the web page settings, so now we will explain how to activate the Gmail offline function on your computer and use the functions on all your devices:
On Android and iOS
While the Gmail mobile apps have many of the functionalities that can be found in its desktop version, offline mode is not available for Gmail on its mobile versions. However, this is not an obstacle for the Gmail app to have a wide functionality during the absence of connection, since it has several very interesting features available, and which we can take advantage of.
Regardless of whether or not there is an internet connection:
- Sending messages: when you do not have a connection on your mobile, the Gmail application will also allow you to compose your emails. As soon as you send them, they will be stored in the Outbox until the connection is reestablished.
- Shipping schedule: This option is particularly useful for situations in which the loss of connection is programmed. You can compose your email and schedule it to be sent at a future date or time.
- Attached files: Although you will not be able to paste files saved in Drive until the connection is reestablished, you will be able to access the documents and files stored in your mobile memory, and prepare them to be sent as soon as you are connected to the internet again.
- Access to contacts: If you use the Google contacts application, you will have the option to access those who have a registered Gmail email, and you will be able to send them emails and files.
- Activate confidential mode: You will be able to compose and share emails in confidential mode that will be sent as soon as you regain your internet connection.
- Access to preloaded messages: It is also possible to access the messages previously opened and stored in the mobile cache, however, it will not be possible to open messages that have not been read before.
In the computer
The Gmail web portal settings screen contains a section dedicated to the settings of the mode Without connection, so activating this function on your computer is very simple.
You just have to follow these steps:
-
Open your browser and enter
gmail.com. - Log in with your mail and password.
- click about him gear icon at the top to open the quick settings tab.
- Press the button “See all settings.”
- Enter the tab labeled as “Without connection”.
- Check the box labeled “Enable offline mail.”
- As soon as you do, a menu of options will be displayed which will allow you to configure the email storage.
- Enable downloading attached files.
- Define how many days of emails will be synchronized on your computer.
- Choose if you want to delete cache data Gmail offline, or keep them on your computer.
- Scroll to the end and click “Save Changes”.
As an added trick, you can add your Gmail inbox to your browser bookmarks, which will greatly facilitate the use of your email offline.
The procedure for this is very simple:
- Enters on the page of Gmail.
- Open your tray input.
- click upon the star to the right of the URL bar.