You can save files and folders in the Box app on your iOS device to access when your phone is not connected to a network (data or WiFi).
To make files available for offline use, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the file or folder you'd like to save for offline access
- Swipe from left to right over the file or folder name OR
- Select the three dots icon and choose the "Make Available Offline" option
Alternatively, you can save a file for offline use from the File/Folder Details menu on the preview screen. Navigate to the file or folder you'd like to make available for offline access and tap the "..." icon from the actions menu (on the bottom of the screen on your iPhone or in the upper-right corner on your iPad). Then, tap Make Available Offline and the file will be saved for offline access.
You'll see a confirmation message that the file was saved for offline access. You can then access the file anytime, even while your device is offline, by going to the Offline area, accessible from the bottom pane.
An empty circle next to a file icon means that the file has been cached. You can preview this file when offline. An item has the cache icon as long as the item is cached. If the item is removed from cache for any reason, the icon disappears.
A grey circle next to a file icon means that the file is being downloaded.
A filled circle next to a file icon means the file has been downloaded and is available for offline access. Only the top-level item that is marked for offline access has the marked-for-offline icon.
What happens when I move a file into a marked-for-offline folder?
When you make a folder available offline and then move a file into that folder, the file downloads when you next launch the app. To see the file listed as being available offline, go to the offline tab and tap to update the marked-for-offline folder.
What're the basic differences between previewing and marking for offline?
- When you preview a file in the app, the file downloads to the client for preview. Previewed content exists until the system purges the cache. Even though the file is downloaded when you preview it, the session report indicates the file was reviewed rather than downloaded.
- When you mark a file for offline access, Box stores the file to cache, so you can view it when offline. The file exists until you remove it. Marking a file for offline produces a "download" entry in the session report.