Figma is a popular design tool that operates on the cloud and is well-known for its collaborative capabilities, enabling multiple users to work on a design together. But what if you need to access your Figma projects offline? Regrettably, Figma does not have built-in support for offline usage. Thankfully, there is a workaround that can assist you in using Figma without an internet connection.
Understanding Figma’s Offline Limitations
Unlike other design tools such as Adobe XD or Sketch, Figma is a browser-based application which inherently relies on an internet connection to function. Working on files offline is not something Figma currently supports. However, there is a way to view and interact with your designs offline using Figma’s Export feature.
Working Offline with Figma’s Export Feature
While you can’t directly edit your Figma files offline, you can export frames or components as .fig files and then import them back into Figma when you’re online again. Note that this is a workaround and not a perfect solution, and exporting whole files for offline use might not be practical for large projects. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Exporting Figma Frames or Components
- Open the Figma file you want to work with.
- Select the frame(s) or component(s) you want to export.
- With the frame(s) or component(s) selected, go to the Design panel on the right.
- Scroll down to the Export section and click the + Add Export button.
- In the Format dropdown, select .fig and hit the Export button.
Step 2: Working on the Exported Files
Once you’ve exported the frames or components as .fig files, you can open them on Figma Desktop App and work on them offline. Remember, you can’t sync changes with the cloud while offline, so be careful not to overwrite any updates when you get back online.
Step 3: Importing the Frames Back into Figma
When you regain internet access, import the .fig files back into your Figma project by following these steps:
- Open the Figma file you want to import to.
- Click the Import button in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select the .fig file(s) you worked on offline and click Open.
And there you have it! A workaround that allows you to view and interact with your Figma designs offline. Again, it’s not a perfect solution, but it allows you to continue your work when you’re without an internet connection.
Conclusion
While we hope that Figma will introduce native offline support in the future, the method described above can be a handy workaround in the meantime. Just remember to import your work back into your Figma file once you’re online to ensure it can be shared and collaborated on with your team.