This wikiHow teaches you how to download Google Docs to your computer, Android, or iPhone.
Step
Method 1 of 3: On Desktop Computer
Step 1. Visit Google Docs
Run a web browser on your computer and visit https://docs.google.com/. If you are signed in to your Google Account, the Google Docs page will open.
If you're not logged into your Google Account, type in your email address and password when prompted
Step 2. Select the document
Click the document you want to download to open it in your browser.
Step 3. Click the File option at the top left of the page
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
For Mac users, click File in the web browser instead File It's in the upper-left corner of your Mac's screen.
Step 4. Select Download as
This option is located in the drop-down menu File. This will bring up a pop-out menu.
Step 5. Click a format
In the pop-out menu, select a file format by clicking on it. You can click Microsoft Word (.docx) to create a Word document, or PDF Documents (.pdf) to create a PDF file. Once you do that, the Google Docs file will be downloaded to your computer.
Depending on your browser settings, you may have to confirm the download or select a save location before the file is downloaded
Method 2 of 3: On iPhone
Step 1. Understand the restrictions
Unfortunately, Google Doc files cannot be downloaded directly to the iPhone. However, you can make the file accessible offline so that the document can be viewed and edited even if you are not connected to the internet.
Step 2. Launch Google Drive
Tap the Google Drive icon, which is a blue, green, and yellow triangle on a white background. If you are signed in to your Google Account, the Google Drive page will open.
If you're not logged in, enter your email address and password so you can continue
Step 3. Find the desired Google Doc file
Scroll through the Google Drive home page until you find the Google Doc file you want to download.
Step 4. Tap on the right side of the Google Doc file
This will bring up a pop-up menu.
Step 5. Scroll down the screen, then tap the "Available offline" button
which is white.
The button will turn blue, indicating that you can now access the file at any time.
If you want to access a file without being connected to the internet, launch the Google Drive app and open the file by tapping on it
Method 3 of 3: On Android
Step 1. Understand the restrictions
Unlike the desktop, you can only download Google Doc files in PDF form on your Android device. If you want to save your Google Doc in an editable format, you can make it an offline file. How to do it:
- Launch Google Drive and sign in when prompted.
- Tap ⋮ in the lower-right corner of the Google Doc file.
- Tap the gray "Available offline" button.
Step 2. Launch Google Drive
Tap the Google Drive icon, which is a blue, green, and yellow triangle on a white background. If you are signed in to your Google Account, your Google Drive page will open.
If you're not logged into Google Drive, select your account (or enter your email address), then enter your password so you can continue
Step 3. Find the Google Doc file that you want to download
Scroll through the Google Drive home page until you find the file.
Step 4. Tap which is located in the lower right corner of the file
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
You can also long-press the thumbnail of the file, then skip to the next step
Step 5. Tap Download
It's in the drop-down menu.
If you press the document thumbnail for a long time, this option will appear at the bottom of the screen
Step 6. Tap ALLOW when prompted
If it's your first time downloading files from Google Drive to your Android device, you'll need to allow Google Drive to access files on your Android device.
Step 7. Open the file on your Android device
Swipe down from the top of the device screen, then tap the name of the downloaded Google Docs file in the menu that appears. The file will open in the default PDF reader on your Android device.
- On some Android devices, you may first need to download Adobe Acrobat to open the PDF file.
- You can also find the file in the "Downloads" folder on your Android device, which can be accessed by running a file manager app, selecting a location where your downloads will be saved (such as an SD card), then tapping the folder. Download.
Tips
- If you want to save Google Docs files on your computer automatically, install the Backup and Sync program from Google Drive on your desktop computer. You can use this program to view Google Drive files by opening the Google Drive folder on your computer.
- The Files app on iPhone devices has a Google Drive section. You can activate it by going to Files, tapping Edit on the " Browse " page, tap the white " Google Drive " button, then tap Done. Next, you can choose Google Drive and sign in to set up the Google Drive file to be accessed in the Files app.
