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Does not having proper offline access hinder your experience as a Figma user?

over 5 years ago from , Chief Experience Officer @ Sure

I'm seriously considering the move from Sketch to Figma. My only real reservation at this point is having the ability to work properly without an internet connection.

I spend a good portion of my time commuting on the train. It currently affords me the opportunity to bust open my laptop and work on my sketch files remotely without tethering my phone (not to mention, cell service is extremely spotty).

Do current Figma users experience issues from not being able to open files without having downloaded them for offline use? Is this a nonissue for most?

Any guidance would be appreciated!

3 comments

  • Nikolas KleinNikolas Klein, over 5 years ago

    Hey there Dan, Niko from Figma here, the current workaround we recommend a lot of people is that once you load a file you can work offline. It will sync the document back once you're connected again.

    So if you know that you're heading to the train, load the file in the desktop app or the browser and you can work on it w/o connection.

    We don't recommend it right now for files where a lot of people have access because multiple people could change the same file and when not syncing instantly is very hard to sync properly afterwards.

    I hope that helps! If you want more info, you'll find it here: https://help.figma.com/faqs/offline-mode

    Also feel free to reach out w/ more questions or issues!

    7 points
  • Nelson TarucNelson Taruc, over 5 years ago

    Dan, I’m in a similar situation: I commute (via bus) to work and online connectivity lasts for 10-15 seconds at most. I do not use Figma during that time while offline, but I’ll do a lot of paper sketching so that when I get into the office, I can fire up Figma and convert the sketches to wires. I actually prefer this workflow because it prevents me from staring at a screen the whole time I’m traveling.

    2 points
  • Pedro Laguna, over 5 years ago

    I once worked for a whole weekend on an offline Figma file, the way Niko suggested. I was really scared of losing progress or accidentally closing the tab it was open - but nothing bad happened. Besides this one time, never had any issues after I made the switch from Sketch. Figma is great even with spotty internet connection, but I think you're gonna have a hard time relying on it for designing completely offline because it still demands some sort of internet connection for you to begin working and after you finished.

    I'd still make the switch, though. Figma is simply amazing - and new update makes it even better.

    1 point