FAQ: Is Figma Available Offline?

James Baduor
Sep 1, 2018 · 3 min read

This is a common question among the members of the Figma Africa community, as well as new users of the Figma Design Tool. Figma started as a web-based design tool with real-time collaboration. Web-based tool because; there no software to download, install, and continually update. There’s no need to save and organize your files. Your work is automatically saved to a shared space in the cloud. Share your work via a URL with others to view and for speed.

https://www.figma.com/downloads

But then, Figma also offers a downloadable offline version.

As part of great user experience, this has been made available so designers with limited internet connectivity can use the tool. Even though this experience is not fully offline, any files you currently have open in the desktop app can be edited while you’re offline. When you’re back online the changes you made should sync.

When you open Figma for the first time, you will be required to connect to the internet in order to access your recent files or dashboard. You will see this page if you have no internet connection.

figma offline screen

This should not be a problem since you only require internet for first time loading the app.

Tips:

1. Open the files you need to work on in the Figma desktop app before you go offline.

When online, figma automatically saves your work, but then a dot sign will display on the file name area indicating your files are not on auto save when offline.

figma offline mode file save indication

2. When you’re done working (but still offline), go to the menu icon and File > Save your work as a .fig file locally.

3. When you reconnect to WiFi, your files should sync with no issues.

Figma file available offline

However, if there is an issue and your work doesn’t appear to be syncing, you can always drag and drop the .fig file you saved into your file browser.

That’s it!

So PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE AND PRACTICE.

And if you enjoyed the Story do not forget to 👏👏👏 and also follow Figma Africa on Medium https://medium.com/figma-africa

Learn more about Figma and Design using the following resources:

Also, to be part of the Figma Community;

Join Figma on SLACK: https://figma-africa.slack.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/figma_africa

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/figmaafrica

MEETUP: https://www.meetup.com/figma-africa

Figma-Africa

Publications of events, activities and submissions from the Figma Africa Community.

James Baduor

Written by

Just a UX | UI, Genomics and Bioinformatics loving dude with no super powers.

Figma-Africa

Publications of events, activities and submissions from the Figma Africa Community.

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