Learn how to play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 offline, what to download first, and which scenery, weather and traffic features stop working.
Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 can be flown offline on PC and Xbox Series X|S after it has been installed, updated, signed in and licensed while connected. Download the Offline Mode content before disconnecting. Offline play uses locally installed scenery and aircraft; streamed Bing imagery, photogrammetry, live weather, multiplayer, live traffic and Marketplace services are unavailable.
How do I set up Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 offline?
Prepare the simulator, local content and platform licence while you still have a reliable connection; switching off Online Functionality alone does not grant an offline licence.
- Complete the installation and updates. Launch MSFS 2020 online, sign in to the required Microsoft or Xbox profile and wait until you reach the main menu. An incomplete mandatory update can prevent an offline start.
- Download everything you intend to use. In Content Manager, install the aircraft, airports, activities and World Updates you need. On Xbox, check Manage game and add-ons for an Offline Mode package; on PC, retain any base-world or offline package supplied with your installation.
- Prepare the platform licence.
- Microsoft Store or Xbox app on PC: enable Offline permissions for that computer in the Microsoft Store settings, then launch the simulator online once more. The Store account must hold the purchase or subscription entitlement.
- Steam on PC: launch MSFS online, complete its Xbox-profile sign-in, close it normally and prepare Steam's Offline Mode while your credentials are still stored.
- Xbox Series X|S: designate the console as the account's Home Xbox and launch the installed game online at least once.
- Disable online data services. In
Options > General Options > Data, turnOnline Functionalityoff. This prevents repeated connection warnings and makes the intended offline configuration clear. - Test without a connection. Disconnect the network and start a short Free Flight before relying on the setup away from home. This catches licence, missing-package and external-drive problems while they are still easy to fix.
Only a locally installed copy works offline. Xbox Cloud Gaming—including an Xbox One streaming the Series version—always requires an internet connection. Game Pass installations can also need a later reconnection to refresh the subscription entitlement.
What works in MSFS 2020 offline mode?
Core flying remains available offline, but the simulator replaces streamed and live services with locally stored content.
| Feature | Offline behaviour |
|---|---|
| Free Flight and installed activities | Work when all required packages are stored locally. |
| Aircraft, airports and scenery | Installed packages remain available; content left undownloaded does not. |
| World scenery | Uses the lower-detail base terrain, autogen, roads and water stored with Offline Mode. |
| Weather and time | Preset weather and manual time controls work; Live Weather does not. |
| Traffic | Locally generated AI traffic can work; Live Traffic and multiplayer aircraft cannot. |
| Navigation and ATC | Local navigation data and built-in ATC remain usable. Azure-generated voices and online place searches may be unavailable. |
| Marketplace and updates | Browsing, purchases, downloads, licence refreshes and updates require a connection. |
| Cloud progress | Cloud synchronisation waits until the next online session. |
Installed handcrafted airports and locally stored parts of World Updates remain visible, but their streamed aerial imagery or photogrammetry does not. A manual cache can preserve selected map data where that feature is available, although a rolling cache is not a dependable offline download: it can evict older areas and may not contain every detail needed for a flight.
Can downloaded aircraft and mods work offline?
Locally installed aircraft and mods usually work offline unless they depend on an external account, live data feed, separate launcher or online licence check.
The aircraft supplied with each MSFS 2020 edition can be used offline once their packages are installed. Files from our MSFS freeware aircraft and scenery library are also normally local, but each add-on must include all its dependencies.
Do not confuse owning an add-on with having it downloaded. Open Content Manager before disconnecting and confirm that the package says it is installed, particularly after moving the Packages folder or using an external drive. Some Marketplace products perform their own entitlement checks, so test any aircraft essential to the planned flight.
Why won't Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 start offline?
An offline start usually fails because the platform has not cached the licence, required content is missing or the wrong account was used during the final online launch.
- Licence or “insert disc” message: reconnect, sign in with the purchasing or subscribing account, launch MSFS successfully and repeat the platform's offline-permission setup. Physical editions must also satisfy their original disc and licence requirements.
- Checking for updates loop: reconnect and finish every mandatory simulator and platform update. Then reach the main menu before going offline again.
- Aircraft or airports missing: check Content Manager and confirm that the Packages folder or external storage device is available.
- Blurry or generic scenery: this is expected when Bing streaming and photogrammetry are unavailable. Install local World Update content or prepare a manual cache before disconnecting.
- No live weather or traffic: choose a weather preset and offline AI traffic instead; live services cannot be restored without reconnecting.