Procreate Offline Guide: Does it Need Wifi?

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 5 min read

Whether you're a seasoned graphic designer or a budding digital artist, Procreate might be on your radar. This powerful tool is known for its extensive features, allowing artists to create stunning designs right from their iPads. But a question often arises, "Does Procreate need wifi?" In this blog, we'll explore Procreate in detail and answer this question.

What is Procreate?

Procreate is a popular digital art app, renowned for its impressive array of tools and user-friendly interface. It's essentially a digital canvas at your fingertips, providing you with everything you need to unleash your creativity. Now, let's dive deeper into the origin, features, and users of Procreate.

Origin of Procreate

Procreate was born out of a desire to bring the traditional art studio to the digital world. Launched in 2011 by Savage Interactive, an Australian tech company, Procreate started as a modest digital sketching app. But with continuous updates and improvements, it has transformed into a leading choice for digital artists worldwide.

Features of Procreate

Procreate is packed with features that make it a versatile tool for artists. Here are some notable ones:

Layering: Procreate allows you to work with multiple layers, giving you more control over your art.
Brush Library: With over 200 pre-set brushes, you can create a variety of textures and effects.
Color Options: Procreate offers an extensive color palette, ensuring you can find the perfect shade for your art.
Playback Feature: You can watch your creative process unfold with the playback feature, which records your progress as you work.

Who uses Procreate?

Procreate is a tool for everyone—it's used by professionals and hobbyists alike. Graphic designers, illustrators, and concept artists commonly use Procreate to create and edit their work. It's also a favorite among hobbyists looking to delve into digital art. The user-friendly interface and extensive features make it an excellent choice for users at all levels of experience.

Now that we've covered what Procreate is, let's answer the main question: does Procreate need wifi? Spoiler alert: it doesn't, but there's more to it. Stick around to find out!

Does Procreate need Wifi?

Well, here's the good news: Procreate does not require wifi to function. Yes, you heard it right! You can sketch, paint, or design to your heart's content without being tethered to a wifi connection. But, what does it mean to use Procreate with and without wifi? Let's explore.

Procreate with Wifi

When you're connected to wifi, Procreate allows you to enjoy a few additional features. You can:

Update the app: To get the latest features and fixes, you'll need an internet connection to update the app.
Download new brushes: Want to experiment with new brush styles? You can download them from the Procreate community—but you'll need wifi.
Share your work: If you want to share your designs on social media or via email, you'll need an internet connection.

Procreate without Wifi

Even without an internet connection, Procreate is a powerful tool. Here's what you can do offline:

Create Art: All core features, including drawing, coloring, and layering, are available offline.
Access your work: You can open and edit all your saved projects. No internet? No problem!
Export your work: You can save your designs to your device or an external storage drive.

So, the answer to "Does Procreate need wifi?" is a resounding no. But having a connection can definitely enhance your experience with additional features.

How to use Procreate offline?

While it's clear that Procreate doesn't require wifi to function, you might be wondering how to make the most of it offline. Here are some tips to help you navigate the app without the internet.

Saving your work

When you're working offline, it's important to save your work frequently. Here's how:

Auto-Save: Procreate auto-saves your work as you go. So, no worries about losing your progress!
Manual Save: To manually save your project, simply tap on 'Actions', then 'Share', and choose 'Procreate'. This saves your work to your gallery.

Accessing your work

Accessing your saved projects is a breeze, even without wifi. Here's how to do it:

Open Procreate: Launch the app, and you'll see all your saved artworks on the home screen.
Select your work: Just tap on the artwork you want to open, and start where you left off.

Even without wifi, you can still share your work. Here are a couple of offline sharing options:

AirDrop: If you're an Apple user, you can share your work via AirDrop with other nearby Apple devices.
External Storage: You can also export your work to an external storage device.

So, the next time someone asks you, "Does Procreate need wifi?" You'll know exactly what to tell them!

Tips for using Procreate offline

Now that you know Procreate doesn't need wifi, let's look at a few tips to enhance your offline experience. Don't worry, these are simple, practical tips that anyone can follow.

Optimizing Storage

With no wifi, you'll likely be working on your projects for longer periods. That means more layers and larger files. Here's how to manage your storage:

Limit Layers: Each layer you add increases your file size. So, try to limit the number of layers you use.
Delete Unused Files: Keep your gallery clutter-free by deleting or archiving old projects you no longer need.

Managing Battery Life

Without wifi, you might be using Procreate for extended periods. Here are a few tips to conserve your device's battery:

Lower Screen Brightness: This can significantly extend your battery life.
Close Other Apps: Having many apps open can drain your battery faster. So, close any apps you're not using.

Using External Storage

If you're doing a lot of work on Procreate offline, an external storage device can come in handy. Here's how to use it:

Export Your Work: From 'Actions', select 'Share', then choose your preferred file format to save your work to your external device.
Backup Your Work: Regularly backing up your Procreate files to an external device ensures you won't lose them.

Remember, you don't have to ask, "Does Procreate need wifi?" anymore. With these tips, you can create masterpieces anytime, anywhere!

Conclusion

Well, we've reached the end of our Procreate journey without wifi. Let's wrap up with a quick recap and some final thoughts.

Benefits of using Procreate offline

Using Procreate offline has a lot of perks. Here are the key ones:

Flexibility: You can use Procreate whenever and wherever, even in places with no wifi.
Focus: Without the distractions of notifications and the internet, you can fully immerse yourself in your art.
Freedom: With the ability to work offline, you aren’t restricted by data limitations or connectivity issues.

Limitations of using Procreate offline

That said, there are a few limitations to using Procreate without wifi:

Updates: You'll need to connect to the internet to receive app updates and new features.
Sharing: While you can create and save your work offline, you'll need a connection to share your art with others.

In the end, the question isn’t really "Does Procreate need wifi?" but rather "How can I make the most of Procreate, with or without wifi?" And hopefully, this guide has given you some good ideas on how to do just that. Happy creating!

If you're curious about exploring the world of Procreate further, don't miss out on the workshop 'Intro to Procreate: Drawing with Digital Tools' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will provide you with an in-depth understanding of using Procreate's features and capabilities, helping you make the most of this powerful digital art tool.