TL;DR
You can use Notion offline through the desktop or mobile apps by downloading specific pages for offline access. To do this, open any page, tap the ‘•••’ menu, and enable Available offline.
Here are the 6 steps to using Notion offline:
1. Install the Notion desktop or mobile app
Notion offline mode is available only on the desktop or mobile apps, not in web browsers.
Download the app for your device from Notion’s website or the iOS/Android app store.
2. Open the page you want to make available
When you foresee situations when you have to use Notion offline, plan in advance by opening all the Notion pages that you might need to use while you are online. You would not be able to open them without an internet connection later.
Let’s take the below page as example:
3. Enable Notion offline mode
To use Notion offline, tap or click on the ‘•••’ icon at the top-right corner of your screen and toggle on the ‘Available offline’ option.
Wait for the download progress bar to complete. Once done, you can access your page offline.
4. Verify availability of Notion offline
To verify the offline availability of the selected Notion page, turn off your WiFi or mobile data to disconnect Notion from the internet.
Next, visit the app’s homepage, you will find a view displaying the recent set of pages made available offline.
Finally, to make sure that your downloaded page is offline, click on the page through the dashboard or use the Notion search function to find it. You will find a pop-up at the bottom of the page that confirms that the page is available offline and also provides the last time it was synced with cloud.
5. Use Notion offline
In our example, we will make the following changes and check if all of them sync effectively once we are back online.
1. Create new pages
We followed this process of creating new Notion pages - same as for the online mode - and were able to do so successfully.
2. Edit and format content
We could edit the content and add colors with ease.
3. Use headings, lists, callouts
We could add all the above blocks successfully.
4. Set up buttons
The ‘Button’ block in Notion is grayed out when offline, indicating that this feature is not supported without an internet connection.
5. Embed YouTube
Embedding media is also not permitted with the Notion offline mode.
6. Keep your pages in sync and ensure consistency
After turning the internet back on, Notion will display at the top-right corner of the page that it was edited just now, indicating that the sync was successful.
Text edits merge smoothly to reflect the latest version, but some property updates - like database entries, may be overwritten if multiple people edited the page offline. So if you have a team working on the same pages offline, consider getting everyone to ensure their changes are in place after going online.
As a best practice, avoid sync issues by reconnecting regularly and check the sync indicator to confirm everything is updated. This would be a forced step because you will need the internet to create and access content beyond the specific Notion page.
Tips before going offline in Notion
A little preparation can make all the difference between staying productive offline and finding yourself staring at a blank screen. Notion isn’t fully local-first, so you’ll want to plan ahead before disconnecting. Here’s how:
1. Mark your essential pages on every device you use
Offline downloads are device-specific. That means if you save a page on your laptop, it won’t automatically be available on your phone or tablet.
2. Double-check the Offline tab in Settings
Don’t assume a page is available just because you opened it once. Open Settings → Offline to confirm that your must-have docs, notes, or databases are actually saved to your device. Think of this like making sure you packed your passport before heading to the airport.
3. Download subpages manually
Notion doesn’t pull in subpages by default, so if your project plan has nested tasks or your notes are buried under layers of pages, you’ll need to save those individually.
4. Review sharing and permissions ahead of time
While offline, you won’t be able to adjust who has access to a page or invite collaborators. If you know someone else will need access while you’re away, set it up before you disconnect.
Benefits of Using Notion Offline
At first glance, Notion’s offline mode might feel like a backup feature - something you use only when your internet cuts out. But in practice, it can be a powerful part of your workflow. Here’s how:
1. Productivity during travel
Whether you’re on a long-haul flight, stuck in a subway tunnel, or working from a coffee shop with shaky Wi-Fi, offline mode ensures your notes, projects, and tasks are right where you need them. Instead of waiting to reconnect, you can continue writing, editing, or reviewing plans seamlessly.
2. Distraction-free deep work
Offline time can double as focus time. Without constant pings, notifications, or the temptation to open new tabs, you’re left with just your ideas and the page in front of you. This can help concentrate better on writing, brainstorming, or mapping out projects.
3. Confidence in critical moments
Important meeting coming up? Client presentation on the road? Offline mode acts as your safety net. By preloading the documents and databases you’ll need, you remove the uncertainty of “what if the Wi-Fi drops?” That peace of mind alone can reduce stress and help you stay present.
4. Continuity across workflows
Even if you’re collaborating with a team online, your personal workflow doesn’t have to pause when you step offline. You can draft updates, outline tasks, or write documentation, then sync everything back the moment you’re reconnected. This continuity keeps your projects moving, rather than stalling every time your connection does.
5. Flexibility for modern work
Field workers, students, travelers, and remote professionals all deal with patchy connectivity at times. Offline mode adapts Notion to these realities, giving you more freedom to choose when and where you work without worrying about signal bars.
6. Reliable note-taking in the moment
Ideas don’t wait for Wi-Fi. Whether you’re in class, at a client site, or attending a conference with spotty connectivity, offline mode lets you capture thoughts instantly. You won’t lose momentum or risk forgetting key details just because your internet isn’t cooperating.
Limitations of Notion’s Offline mode
Here are some real restrictions with the Notion Offline mode:
- Databases are limited to the first 50 rows of the first view (unless you save rows individually).
- Subpages don’t sync automatically and must be marked one by one.
- Advanced blocks won’t work offline - things like AI, embeds, forms, and buttons.
- Offline downloads are device-specific, so you’ll need to repeat the setup on every device you plan to use.
Think of it as a “lite” version of Notion - great for reading, writing, and planning, but not a replacement for the cloud experience.
Troubleshooting Notion Offline issues
Even with preparation, you might hit snags. Here’s what to do if offline mode isn’t working smoothly:
- Clear the cache and restart the app. Sometimes Notion just needs a refresh to reload your offline content.
- Check [Notion’s Status Page]. If the problem isn’t local, it might be a server-side issue outside your control.
- Handle sync conflicts carefully. When you reconnect, Notion may create duplicate versions of a page to avoid overwriting changes. It’s annoying, but it ensures nothing is lost—you’ll just need to merge the edits manually.
With these fixes, most offline hiccups can be resolved quickly, so you can get back to focusing on your work.
FAQs
Does Notion work offline?
Yes. Notion works offline on its desktop and mobile apps. You can view, edit, and create pages without an internet connection, as long as you’ve downloaded them in advance. On paid plans (Plus, Business, Enterprise), your recent and favorited pages are also downloaded automatically.
How to use Notion databases offline?
Databases come with a few quirks when used offline. When you download a database page, Notion will only save the first 50 rows of the first view of that database
To access more, you’ll have to open additional rows as full pages and mark them offline manually.
Also, if your page contains multiple inline databases, only the first view of each will be available when offline.
How to manage your offline pages in Notion?
Everything you’ve downloaded can be managed from Settings > Offline. This is your control center to:
- View all saved pages
- Search for specific content
- Remove offline files you don’t need anymore
- Adjust automatic downloads
What does not work while using Notion offline?
Some blocks won’t work offline, including:
- Third-party embeds (Google Docs, YouTube, etc.)
- AI blocks
- Forms and buttons
You also can’t share pages or change permissions.
Are my offline pages synced across devices?
No. Offline downloads stay on the device where you saved them. If you want a page offline on both phone and laptop, you must download it separately on each.
Do I have to manually download Notion pages to use them offline?
On free plans, yes. On paid plans (Plus, Business, Enterprise), your ‘Recents’ and ‘Favorites’ download automatically, but you still need to manually download other pages or subpages.
What happens if I edit the same page offline as someone else?
Text edits usually merge automatically when you reconnect. But with non-text changes (like database property updates), only one version may be saved. Always reconnect regularly to reduce conflicts.
Can I turn off automatic downloads?
Yes. On paid plans, go to Settings > Offline and toggle off ‘Automatic downloads’ if you don’t want Notion to save Recents and Favorites automatically.
Can you use Notion offline on your phone?
Yes. The Notion mobile app supports offline mode on both iOS and Android. You just need to download the pages you want to access ahead of time, and they’ll remain available even when your device is disconnected.
Does the Notion app work offline?
Yes. Both the desktop and mobile apps allow offline use. You can create new pages and edit downloaded ones while offline. Your changes are saved locally on the device and automatically sync to the cloud the next time you connect to the internet. The web browser version, however, does not support offline access.
Can you use Notion without WiFi?
Yes. If your pages are downloaded in advance, you can use Notion offline without WiFi. Your work will sync automatically once your device reconnects to any internet source.
Why doesn’t Notion fully function when offline?
Some features in Notion rely on a live internet connection, such as embeds, AI blocks, forms, and real-time collaboration. While most page types and blocks work offline, these advanced features are unavailable until you’re back online.
Does Notion save automatically offline?
Yes. While you’re offline, Notion caches your edits locally. As soon as your device reconnects, these changes sync with Notion’s servers and update across your devices.
Will my work get saved when I go online again?
Yes. Notion saves your offline edits locally and syncs them once you reconnect. Text edits merge automatically, but if multiple people edited the same database property offline, only one version may be kept.
Can I download all my Notion pages at once for offline use?
No. You need to manually mark individual pages as available offline. On paid plans, your recent and favorited pages are automatically downloaded, but there’s no option to bulk-download your entire workspace.
