Using Google Docs on a mobile device

In addition to the Google Docs web-based application, there's a mobile app available for both iOS and Android. It's easy to use and can be downloaded on most mobile devices.

What is the Google Docs app?

The Google Docs app allows you to view and edit all of your Google docs on the go. Every change you make to your docs through the app will also show up in the browser version of Google Docs. You can even use the app to save and make changes to your docs when you're offline. Review our lesson on Using Google Docs Offline to learn how.

The app vs. the browser

The Google Docs app contains almost all of the same features as the web-based version, but there are some key differences between the two.

• The mobile app lacks certain features, including the Ruler, shapes, headers and footers, and Suggesting mode.
• The Google Docs app allows you to view and edit your files, but if you want to create folders and organize them you'll need to download the Google Drive app as well. The Google Drive app is available for both iOS and Android.
• Depending on the mobile device you're using, your document may look different than it does on your computer. For example, here's a Word document as seen on a mobile device:

Here's the same Word document as seen on a computer:

Because of these differences, it may be difficult to create a complex document from scratch on the Google Docs app. However, it's still a great tool for viewing your documents and doing some quick editing.

How to use Google Docs:

The Google Docs app's interface is easy to use and navigate. Click the links in the interactive below to learn some of its key features.