One of the advantages of an email client is that you can continue working with your emails even if there is no Internet connection. If you’re an Outlook user, working offline in Microsoft Outlook, Outlook 365, Outlook on the web, or the new Outlook app can be helpful. In this article we will share how you can work offline in Outlook by enabling offline mode or using the PWA app to achieve similar functionality.

How to work offline in MS Outlook

Start Microsoft Outlook on your desktop and from the top menu click Send/Receive. Then, in the Preferences section, click Work offline.

When you click on it, Outlook disconnects even if Internet is available. However, it will allow you to read, write and organize your emails without connection. Any emails you write or edits you make will be synced the next time you log in.

Once you are ready or want to reconnect, click Work offline once again to reconnect Outlook to the Internet.

How to work offline in Outlook 365

There is no dedicated app for Outlook 365, but if you want functionality close to offline mode, you can use the Outlook Progressive Web App (PWA) feature in Chrome or Edge.

• Open Outlook (e.g. Chrome or Edge), click on the browser menu (usually three dots or lines in the upper right corner) and select Install Outlook.
• Go to Settings > Offline Settings and turn on Enable offline access. This option downloads limited data to read, write, and respond to emails offline. The data syncs as soon as you are back online.

The Outlook desktop app is generally preferable for more control and better offline access.

How to work offline in the new Outlook app

The new Outlook app is the latest version of Outlook and comes with a dedicated setting to ensure that the app works even when you are not connected to the Internet.

• Open the new Outlook application and click the button Settings icon on the title bar.
• Click the General tab or section in the left pane, and then select the option Offline option in the list of subsections.
• You can enable or disable the new offline feature by toggling the option on/off Enable offline mail, calendar and contacts.

Hope this helps.

Read: How change the amount of email to keep offline in Outlook

Will my email drafts be automatically sent when I log back into Outlook?

Yes, if you write and save emails offline, they will be sent automatically once you reconnect to the Internet. Outlook syncs all offline changes, including sending drafts, emails to the trash, or receiving new emails when you come back online.

How much storage does Outlook use for offline emails?

Although there is no limit, as it depends on your PC storage, when using the new Outlook app or Outlook app, you can change the offline settings to select a number of days or months emails during which you want to be available offline.