Is Scratch offline?
What is the Scratch offline editor?
The Scratch offline editor is Scratch Desktop, the free installable version of the same editor that runs at scratch.mit.edu. Same blocks, same sprites, same interface, just running from your device instead of a browser tab.
It's free, it comes from MIT, and there's no account needed to use it. Download it from scratch.mit.edu/download, or from the Microsoft Store on Windows where the direct download is currently unavailable.
How to get Scratch Desktop
Download it free from scratch.mit.edu/download. It works on Windows 10+ and macOS 10.13+. Chromebooks don't have a native download, but the browser version works fine on most school-issued Chromebooks even on limited connections.
What still needs the internet
Building and running projects: fully offline. But if your kid wants to share a finished project publicly, remix someone else's work, or use cloud-saved variables in multiplayer-style games, they'll need to go online for that. Those are community features, not the coding itself.
Which Devices Support the Scratch Offline App?
This is where things get nuanced — and where most articles leave parents confused.
| Device | Supported? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10+ | ✅ Yes | Available via the Microsoft Store (direct download from the website is temporarily unavailable as of June 2026) |
| macOS 10.13+ | ✅ Yes | Direct download from the Scratch website |
| ChromeOS | ✅ Yes | Available from the Scratch download page |
| Android 6.0+ | ⚠️ Tablets only | Phones are NOT supported — tablets only |
| iOS (iPhone/iPad) | ✅ Yes | Available via the App Store |
| Linux | ❌ Not supported | MIT is working with open-source partners on this |
What You Can (and Can't) Do Offline
The offline app is genuinely full-featured for creation. Here's what that means in practice:
You can:
- Create new Scratch projects from scratch
- Open and edit previously saved
.sb3project files - Use all coding blocks, sprites, sounds, and costumes
- Connect supported hardware like micro:bit, LEGO robotics, or Makey Makey via extensions
You can't:
- Share projects directly to the Scratch online community — you'll need to export the file and upload it manually at scratch.mit.edu once you're back online
- Browse, access, or remix other community projects while offline
- Auto-save to the Scratch cloud — projects save locally to your device only
The workaround for sharing is simple: export your project as an .sb3 file, then upload it when you have internet. It's a minor extra step, but it works.
