6 Useful Websites To Download For Offline Access

In today’s fast-paced world, we have become heavily reliant on the internet to provide us with relevant information instantaneously. However, we cannot always rely on having an uninterrupted internet connection. Therefore, it’s a smart move to download the most useful websites on the internet to access them while offline.

To create your offline library of useful websites, you need to start with the basics, which is to ensure you have quality and ample storage to store these websites. You may consider saving the websites directly on your computer or smartphone’s internal drive, but it may not be practical since you may require that space for your daily use.

There are plenty of external drive options available in the market, ranging from fast and reliable SSDs to affordable and spacious HDDs. Another option is to use a USB flash drive, but they tend to offer less space per dollar, and their small size makes them susceptible to loss. If you’re looking for a durable and reliable storage solution, it’s recommended to invest in a rugged SSD like the Samsung T7 Shield. We’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed the T7 Shield, and we can attest that it’s worth the investment.

When creating your offline library of useful websites, it’s crucial to ensure that your storage device has ample space to accommodate data growth. After all, what’s the point of a storage device that doesn’t have enough room to store your data? To help you plan accordingly, we’ll provide you with the website size so that you can estimate the required storage space. At the time of writing, downloading all the websites would require a healthy 225GB of storage. This size is easily handled by affordable storage devices, but it’s too large for the base version of the latest flagship smartphones.

Also: 6 Best Websites To Watch Free Movies

It’s important to note that storage devices are prone to failure, which can result from damage or no apparent reason at all. Therefore, to ensure that you can rely on your offline internet in emergencies, it’s recommended that you have at least two separate drives holding two copies of your data, preferably stored in two different locations. While this may seem like an expensive option, it’s a necessary investment to safeguard your essential data. If you can’t afford this option at the moment, consider using a smaller storage device (perhaps one you already own) to store only the data that you deem essential. This approach allows you to prioritize your data storage without compromising the safety of your essential data.

How Downloading Websites Works

While there are many free tools available for downloading websites, setting them up properly can be difficult, especially if you don’t have knowledge of web crawling.

However, there is a tool called Kiwix that is already preconfigured to download many of the most valuable websites out there, sometimes with direct partnerships with website owners. Kiwix can be used on a variety of operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iPhone. Once installed, downloading websites is easy.

If you plan on storing the downloaded websites on an external drive, remember that Kiwix is set by default to save to the local device. You can change this by going into the app’s settings and selecting your external storage device’s location as the download directory or storage location for the mobile app.

To browse the complete list of downloadable websites, simply click “All Files” in the main menu or tap the Download tab in the mobile app. When you find a website you want, just click “Download” next to it in the desktop app or tap the website in the mobile app, and Kiwix will save a copy of the website for you.

It’s important to note that the larger the website, the longer it will take to download, so a stable connection is necessary. If possible, use an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, as Wi-Fi can drop out.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that the Kiwix app is used for browsing the downloaded websites, so it’s important to keep it installed on all the devices you plan to use offline. The Windows app, Mac DMG version, and Linux AppImage version are all portable, so you can store a copy of the app on the same drive with the websites.

1. iFixit: Repair Anything

It’s almost inevitable that at some point, your electronic devices will malfunction or break down, leaving you stranded and without a quick solution. Without the help of the internet, repairing your broken device can seem like a daunting task, with the potential for dangerous outcomes. Luckily, an offline copy of iFixit’s database of repair guides can provide you with valuable assistance. In fact, iFixit recognizes the value of their guides in offline situations, which is why they announced a partnership with Kiwix in August of 2022.

By accessing iFixit’s database of repair guides, you’ll be able to find detailed instructions and pictures for repairing and maintaining your electronic devices. Even if you can’t find a specific guide for the problem you’re facing, you’ll still find valuable information such as teardown guides and general maintenance advice that can help you diagnose the problem and fix it yourself. For example, even a general guide on how to remove a stripped screw can be useful for repairing a variety of different hardware.

At the time of writing, the iFixit database on Kiwix occupies approximately 2.52GB of storage space. By having access to this database of repair guides offline, you’ll be able to confidently tackle any repairs or maintenance tasks on your devices without worrying about a stable internet connection or the potential for dangerous outcomes.

2. Ready.gov: Weather Any Disaster

The US government has developed the Ready.gov website, with the intention of equipping you to face any type of emergency, ranging from natural disasters such as avalanches to man-made disasters like nuclear explosions. Apart from providing guidance on preparing for disasters, the website also offers useful information on how to act in the aftermath of an emergency, which could come in handy when you access your offline database.

As of the time of writing, Ready.gov on Kiwix occupies 2.05GB of space.

3. Wikipedia: You Already Know What It Is

If you’ve ever found yourself searching for information on Wikipedia, you’re probably aware of how useful it can be. But what do you do when you don’t have an internet connection and need access to that knowledge? This is where an offline copy of Wikipedia can come in handy, allowing you to access a vast array of information without an internet connection.

Kiwix offers an offline version of Wikipedia that you can access without images at 46GB, while adding images brings the total to 95GB. Alternatively, there is a tool called XOWA that can also be used to download and access Wikipedia offline. Our full guide to downloading Wikipedia provides more information on how to use these tools.

4. WikiProjectMed: Health and First Aid

In addition to Wikipedia, there is another valuable resource called WikiProjectMed, or MDWiki for short. It shares some similarities with Wikipedia but focuses on providing practical medical information. This includes important details like dosage recommendations for medications, instructions for wound care, and even insights on how certain foods and plants can affect your health. The information is presented in a way that is accessible to anyone, not just medical professionals, with a reading level aimed at 12th graders.

If you’re interested in accessing MDWiki offline, it’s available through Kiwix. With pictures included, it takes up 1.64GB of storage space. For those looking for a more comprehensive experience, there’s also a version with videos that takes up 8.50GB of storage. Both options provide a wealth of medical knowledge that can be easily accessed and used offline.

5. Cooking Stack Exchange: Eat Up

Cooking is an essential life skill that requires experience and knowledge. Even with access to recipes, cooking without electricity can be challenging. Fortunately, Stack Exchange offers a comprehensive cooking section, where people can ask questions related to cooking and get answers from experienced chefs. The topics covered include cooking with fire, meat cooking techniques, and food preservation, which are particularly useful when electricity is not available.

Although the cooking Stack Exchange is an invaluable resource, it has one major drawback: some answers may only provide external links instead of providing a full answer to the question. This means that you may not be able to access the links without an internet connection, and you will need to look for more detailed answers that provide complete information.

The cooking Stack Exchange is relatively small, taking up only 217MB on Kiwix.

6. Project Gutenberg: Read Public Domain Books

While most of the websites discussed so far have been focused on practical information, what about when you want to relax and enjoy some good books? Project Gutenberg is a free ebook library with a vast collection of classic literature that is now in the public domain, which means that you can finally read those books you might have skipped in school, without any membership fees.

The library provides ebooks in various formats, such as HTML for computers and EPUB for eReaders. If you own a Kindle, you can also learn how to transfer EPUB files to your device.

As of now, the English version of Project Gutenberg on Kiwix is 17.6GB.

The Best of the Internet Without the Internet

Now, with the help of offline copies of various websites, you can access a wealth of information and resources without needing an internet connection. From repair guides and disaster preparedness advice to medical information and classic literature, these offline copies can be valuable tools for both practical and leisurely pursuits. However, it’s important to note that the information on these websites is regularly updated, so you should plan on periodically re-downloading your library to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information at your disposal.