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TomMunch's avatar
TomMunch
Helpful | Level 6
3 months ago
Solved

Best way to stop my Dropbox desktop app from removing local files?

Device multiple Mac and PC devices Operating System/Browser (if using the web) multiples Dropbox App Version/Browser Version 232.4.5988 on Mac and PC What is the best way to turn off removing ...
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  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    3 months ago

    Since you’re using macOS Tahoe, then the system extension isn’t applicable to you indeed, as mentioned in the Help Center article Megan linked above. 

    If your sync preferences are set to make files available offline by default, as demonstrated here, then you should be all set.

Hannah's avatar
Hannah
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
3 months ago

Thanks for the update and the screenshots, TomMunch.

If you manually switch a file or folder from online-only to available offline, how long does it take for the app to automatically switch them to online-only again?

Also, when did you start noticing this behavior? Was it after some kind of update on the app? Or has it always been like this?

TomMunch's avatar
TomMunch
Helpful | Level 6
3 months ago

I’ve not seen this happen where it switched back to online only. I first saw this several months ago when I tried to open a file when I wasn’t on the internet, and the file wouldn’t open. I think it was before the icon showing that a file is online or on the device was introduced. It feels like maybe last spring. 

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 months ago

    Thanks for the clarification here, Tom.

    So, just to confirm, if you manually switch your files to "available offline", do they remain in that state?

    And how about the new files added to your Dropbox folder from other devices?

    I see in your screenshot that the default sync preference is set to "available offline", so do the new files sync as available offline as normal?

    • TomMunch's avatar
      TomMunch
      Helpful | Level 6
      3 months ago

      I think they stay there. That was never a problem before. I’ll watch to see what happens. 

      They do sync from other devices. 

      I’m still curious whether I should have Dropbox system extension turned off? There seems to be some redundancy that I don’t quite understand.

      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        3 months ago

        For now, I'd suggest leaving the extension enabled, as is. 

        In case your files return back to online-only though, without you taking any actions on your end, please let us know and we’ll be happy to look into this further.

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