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How to Download Google Docs on the iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

February 26, 2025 6 views

Having used Google Docs within and outside the office, I was that man on the road who needed instant access to my documents. Whether going out, attending conferences, or away from the computer, having an already available document on an iPhone was paramount. Although it is relatively easy to edit documents online on Google Docs, there are other times when one wants to download them offline. This is how to transfer a Google document to an iPhone to ensure your access to that important document you have written at any moment.

Why should you download Google Docs on your iPhone?

The fact that Google Docs is based on a cloud solution means you can watch your documents from everywhere, provided you can access an internet connection. However, there are situations when you need to download a Google Doc onto your iPhone for offline use. A few reasons why this feature can be so helpful are mentioned below.

  • Offline Access: A Google Doc can be downloaded onto an iPhone device, and when Wi-Fi or cellular data is unavailable for some time, it will allow the editing/viewing of a document.

  • Handiness: Now, you are not required to wait for just a connection to reach your files. That is really helpful during journeys and stays in poorly covered network areas.

  • Efficiency: You can work on your Google Docs without thinking about any connection problems. That's one way to keep the work going anyway.

Downloading Google Docs on an iPhone is relatively easy and one good way to have your essential files online or offline.

How to Download a Google Doc on an iPhone

There are a few different ways to download a Google Doc to your iPhone, and I’ll cover the most common methods below. Each method has its advantages, depending on your needs and preferences.

Method 1: Download Google Doc Using the Google Docs App

The easiest way to download a Google Doc onto an iPhone is through the Google Docs application. This guide will teach you how to set up a Google Doc on an iPhone, assuming that this application has been set up on the gadget. Steps: -

Steps:

Step 1: Open the Google Docs App - Open the Google Docs application on your iPhone device.

Step 2: Find Document: Find your document in the Google Docs repository or search for it.

Step 3: Open Document: Tap to open.

Step 4: Tap the three dots on the top right to allow offline mode.

Step 5: Tap "Available Offline." On the menu dropdown, tap "Available offline." Google Docs default settings are to start downloading this document right away.

Step 6: Open Offline: Now that the document is downloaded, you can open it offline. Besides the name of such a document, a little icon will appear when you use it offline. The benefits include the following:

This is the fastest and easiest way to download a Google Doc on an iPhone.

Because the Google Docs application is only made for handling the Google Docs, it will provide the best facility in every manner.

You can access your downloaded files from the app anytime.

Method 2: Download Google Docs via Google Drive

If you do not have the Google Docs application, or if you like using Google Drive, then it's also possible to download Google Docs via the Google Drive application. Here's how to do that:

Directions:

Step 1: Open the Google Drive App. Opening the Google Drive app on an iPhone.

Step 2: Locate the Document In your Google Drive and locate the Google Doc you want to download.

Step 3: Select the Document Tap to open the document.

Step 4: Download the Document. Tap the three vertical dots beside the document name, then tap "Available Offline."

Step 5: Download your document for offline access; open it on the Google Drive application installed on any mobile device at any moment.

Downloading Google Docs via Browser

It is easier to download the document using the Google Doc application. However, one can do it using any browser on their iPhone. These steps will show you how to do that in Safari and other browsers.

How:

Step 1: Open the browser: On your iPhone device, open Safari or one of the other available browsers.

Step 2: Open any browser, go to the website of Google Docs, and sign in using your Google account.

Step 3: Look for the document you want to export as a PDF. Tap on it to open it.

Step 4: Tap the three vertical dots at the top-right corner of the document and tap "Share & export."

Step 5: Tap "Send a copy," then select the PDF format in which the document should be downloaded.

Step 6: Save to Files: Once you have the PDF version of your Google Doc ready, you can save it to Files on your iPhone or iCloud Drive for easy access.

Benefits of this Approach:

Besides making sharing relatively straightforward, your Google Doc is more portable.

You can download the document directly onto your device instead of using applications like Google Docs or Google Drive.

WPS Office: A good helper in dealing with Google Docs

Sometimes, you need to get more advanced use from your documents than what the basics within Google Docs provide.

WPS Office is an office suite that can be used for document management and editing to Google Docs. Any person who does a lot of work in Google Docs will find it easy to edit Google Docs with WPS Office offline. You can import a Google Doc in, edit, and save without the internet.

  • Google Doc Conversion: This covers converting your documents to other formats, including PDF, Excel, and PowerPoint, using WPS Office.

  • Cloud Integration: WPS Office does allow for cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. You can easily sync and access your Google Docs within the WPS Office application.

Whether you work with Google Docs or other file types, WPS Office provides an appropriate platform for handling your documents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I save a Google Doc to an iPhone without using the Google Docs app?

You can download a Google Doc using the Google Drive app or via browser by converting the document to PDF and saving it to your iPhone's Files app.

2. Can I download Google Docs on the iPhone?

You can only do this offline if the document was set to work offline via the Google Docs app or if you opened it through an editor application such as WPS Office.

3. How about downloading the Google Doc into another format?

Yes, you can download a Google Doc as a PDF, Word, and more using the export options through the Google Docs app and via web browser.

Summary

The download feature of Google Docs for your iPhone is simple yet powerful so that your essential documents can always be at your fingertips. Whichever your way might be, either via the Google Docs app, Google Drive, or web browser, the process is smooth and easy to operate. For users needing advanced features, WPS Office should be handy when managing and editing their Google Docs offline. Apply AI-powered capabilities with WPS Office and take document management to the next level by smoothing workflows using only your iPhone.

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15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.