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Grifo98
3 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Mac -> New files with cloud icon. How to set-it up to sync files available offline?
Hello...
Is it possible to set Dropbox to sync all files directly? For some time now, I've been getting a cloud icon next to a file I put in Dropbox on another device. I always have to open the file manually first so that it is downloaded. Previously, the entire content was synchronized with each system start.
Hi Grifo98, as my colleague mentioned, if you're running the new version of the Dropbox app for Mac OS, then theses changes are expected, and files will default to online-only.
16 Replies
- Megan3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Grifo98, welcome to our Community!
Keep in mind, that the way you sync files, especially the settings that you apply on the files, and folders on each device, is unique.
With that being said, when you make the file available offline, doesn't it stay that way? Can you check your app's preferences, under the Sync tab, and let me know what you find there?
Let me know more!
- Grifo983 years agoExplorer | Level 4
The correct path to the Dropbox folder is set under the SYNC options. In the selective selection, all subfolders are selected.
I uploaded four files via the browser at work today. When I turned on the computer at home, these four files were marked with a cloud icon. To open them, they are first downloaded and then opened. In the past, everything was automatically retrieved with the system start. I would like to have it like that again.
- Hannah3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Grifo98, which version of macOS are you running and which Dropbox app version?
If you've updated to the new Dropbox for macOS version, this is expected behavior.
Files added to your Dropbox account from another device or that are shared by another user will default to online-only.
You can see more about the expected changes here.
- Grifo983 years agoExplorer | Level 4I have the latest version of macOS and the Dropbox client.
- Jay3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Grifo98, as my colleague mentioned, if you're running the new version of the Dropbox app for Mac OS, then theses changes are expected, and files will default to online-only.
- sk273 years agoNew member | Level 2
Hi,
What version of dropbox would I have to use to have it so the default setting is not online only? I am setting up dropbox on a new Mac laptop and I have too many files to download individually at this point.thank you,
Srikanth
- Hannah3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey sk27, you can't really install a previous version of the Dropbox app to your new Mac and even if you could, it will automatically get updated to the newest version eventually.
But you don't have to make the files available offline individually, you can do this to your entire Dropbox folder, by right-clicking it and choosing "make available offline".
- Chris_Mellor3 years agoNew member | Level 2
First of all, the default to online access and not local copies of my Dropbox MacBook Air folder content is unhelpful and unwanted, It doe not permit me to have offline access to the files without manually copying them to a local folder on my MacBook. This is a retrograde move in your service and not something I wanted at all. Now I have found the right-click set to offline access function I have at least regained the functionality I had prior to your software upgrade - or downgrade as far as I am concerned,
Secondly, you should have provided a simple way to resume the prior default action of making all files and folders available offline without me having to search through a community help forum, find this post, and then manually set all my flies and folders to default to offline access. Shame on you for this poor approach to customer service, customer experience and facilities. As a paying customer I am disappointed. You have caused me inconvenience and extra work.
- mariangpongiangela3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Same Problem here, still not solved
- Cambridge UK3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Thanks for being clear about this. However I think this is a really poor, and slightly high handed, decision. I want, and always wanted, all my dropbox files alway on all the connected machines. I am trying to archive my dropbox folder and it is taking many hours to recover files that I thought and intended to be on my hard drive.
I have tried your suggestion that I mark the whole folder as offline, I assume the archive process will force a full download of all my missing files.
Please do not make a change like this again! I do not want to find I need hours to download files I need now because dropbox has, without my agreement, removed them from my hard drive.
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