Also looking for read only toggle. Before having edit access (which I do need sometimes), I would use the Z key shortcut to zoom in on specific areas. Now that I have edit access, no matter what tool I have selected, it types a Z out?
A huge plus 1 to this.
Good news: The solution to this has arrived decisively, in the form of 
Dev Mode. See https://www.figma.com/dev-mode/
“Dev Mode is like a browser inspector for your design file—simply hover and click objects to get details like measurements, specs, and styles—all within a safe space that won’t impact the design file.” 
To have a document you can fiddle with, make small changes to etc it’s probably still best to create a duplicate or branch.
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+1, keeping this topic open for votes
As admin of a few Figma teams, I have the same need. I want to have a look into some files, without accidentally changing something or updating the “last changed” timestamp. An “open read-only” mode would be needed.
Would be super useful to toggle read-only mode. I often have stakeholders (e.g. PM, dev) who are not very familiar with Figma and don’t watch the Figma tutorial videos, and it would be helpful to see what they are looking at, so that I can explain or send them screenshots.
dev mode doesn’t solve this problem - it only enhances the develop experience. the problem(s) this thread is describing is that files are open to manipulation by anyone with an editor seat in Figma. file owners should be able to lock down files they create so that only they can edit them. additionally, main branches should have ‘read only’ modes, so that the only editing that can be done has to go through branches.
2 Likes
More than agree here.
This feature is highly needed. We are moving towards an Engineering-like workflow with Master files, branches and branch-reviews ; but this entire process is kind of useless if we can’t lock the master files or at least force them into read-only files.
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Today I’m using Figma for the first time for a new gig. As software engineer who will be implementing designs, this is literally one of the first things I googled about Figma. I don’t want to accidentally change something, especially as I’m unfamiliar with the shortcuts.
Very surprised this doesn’t exist as an easily accessible high-visibility feature.
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I mostly like the solution of going into Dev mode because it’s quick and easy and requires no new functionality. In my particular case, seeing the connectors in prototype mode is really useful, and I don’t think that’s possible in dev mode. (It’s also very possible I’m missing something because I only just now learned this trick.)
I just made a boo-boo and had to hit undo like a trillion times… we dev smart… not enough sometimes. Please add a read-only mode, pretty please?
2 Likes
Need it real bad
Please add read-only mode.
It’s essential feature in my opinion
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I would love a read-only mode. It helps in avoiding accidental edits.
hey guys please add read-only mode
Hello there, thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your feedback is truly valuable to us, and I will pass it on internally for future consideration. Please feel free to vote!
Thank you,
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Hi all, just starting to use Figma since XD is at end of life. This is a really critical feature, and the crazy part is that it’s already all built out.
I (developer) initially started on a free account so I didn’t have access to any of the edit tools or dev mode. That basic view is really nice for getting the basics of a design implemented with minimal clutter and distraction.
Now that I’ve upgraded to a paid plan to get dev mode, I no longer have access to that clean view mode, so I’m either stuck with edit mode (which runs the risk of me accidentally making changes I don’t realize) or dev mode (which is nice but is sort of a firehose of information that can be overwhelming).
Having some way to self-switch into view-only mode (without being in full dev mode) and ideally an organization-level control to restrict edit access to files while allowing dev mode would be very important to preventing unintended changes.
+1 for this
+1 for this really need feature
This is an essential feature, please.
+1 for this feature