Microsoft Teams will soon let you open offline files

Microsoft Teams Android Install Store
Microsoft Teams Android Install Store (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Teams will soon support offline access for files.
  • The feature could arrive as soon as June 2021.
  • Offline file support will only work with previously opened files.

Microsoft Teams has a new feature on the way that will let you view offline files. The feature appears on the Microsoft 365 roadmap, which states that it the new capability could arrive as soon as June 2021. As is always the case with the Microsoft 365 roadmap, dates are subject to change.

"Users can now access previously opened files even when there is no internet connectivity," reads the Microsoft 365 roadmap. The entry doesn't provide much more depth, but it does list it as in development for mobile devices. It specifically mentions Microsoft Teams for Android, though Microsoft could also be working on bringing it to iOS at some point.

Microsoft Teams allows you to easily collaborate with people with shared files, including Office documents. Being able to view files offline would make it easier to see valuable information when you're on the go, even if you don't have an internet connection.

If you're more interested in features that have been formally announced and that are already available, Microsoft announced several new capabilities for Microsoft Teams at Build 2021. The new options are aimed at developers but will help create experiences that make it easier to collaborate.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_. 

Read more
Microsoft 365 app on Windows 11 with shortcuts to create documents in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other Microsoft 365 applictions.
This Microsoft 365 feature will nudge users to save files to OneDrive
iPhone X resting on a Windows PC showing the Microsoft logo
Microsoft makes it easier to view shared Office files on iOS and iPadOS
Microsoft Teams app and logo running on a laptop and smartphone.
Microsoft Teams is about to get this feature it should have had on day one
An iPhone resting on top of a Surface PC showing the Microsoft logo.
Windows 11's "Handoff" clone is official, and it works with iOS or Android
Microsoft Teams logo with a keyboard behind it.
Microsoft Teams marches closer to letting you skip meetings, don't tell your boss
Microsoft Word logo in Windows 11 Search.
Microsoft quietly tests free, ad-supported version of Office apps for Windows with limited functionality
Latest in Office 365
Microsoft Word logo in Windows 11 Search.
Microsoft quietly tests free, ad-supported version of Office apps for Windows with limited functionality
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft's new 'Microsoft 365' rebranding has us all perplexed. Again.
American football using Microsoft technology
How Microsoft 365 excelled my American football team to back-to-back northern championships
Microsoft Office
Final Microsoft 365 Insider blog post marks end of an era... sort of
Microsoft Word open on an HP Spectre x360 16 (2024)
Do you need to buy all of Office or is Word enough?
Microsoft PowerPoint on an iPhone
Microsoft's new iOS widget brings recently accessed Office 365 files directly to your home screen
Latest in News
Cloud servers
Microsoft has killed "several" data center projects in the U.S. and Europe, according to reports — Microsoft responds (Updated)
Photo of Microsoft's new sign-in page for Xbox.com using the Microsoft Edge browser.
Over one billion users will get a new Microsoft user experience, and it has a dark mode
The Thing: Remastered key art
The Thing comes to Xbox Cloud Gaming's "Stream Your Own Game" library alongside other new arrivals
Promotional screenshot of heroes fighting a giant in Pillars of Eternity
Obsidian's classic Baldur's Gate successor 'Pillars of Eternity' is getting a surprise turn-based mode later this year, alongside other updates
Atomfall
Atomfall reviews and Metacritic scores are in: Here's a roundup of what everyone's saying about this new Game Pass survival game
Screenshot of one of the new flat world presets in Minecraft.
Minecraft testing new flat world presets and a better way to locate your friends in-game