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It takes a long time for my files to become available offline, or the syncing fails completely.
Generally, I keep my Dropbox files off-line. In the past, if I marked a particular file "make available offline", the circle next to the file name would turn green fairly quickly, and the file would then be available on my driv drive immideately. Now, however, the "make available offline option seems to have no effect. If I try to access a file, the access is veery slow and sometimes fail completely. However, I can usually still access files if I wait long enough. Also, I can move files (very slowly) to a flash drive. why has this change occurred?
36 Replies
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- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey jk33, thanks for the info!
When using selective sync, the folders you choose to deselect will essentially not be visible locally on the device, only when you visit your account online.
If I understand this correctly, these folders got synced locally, but they appeared to be online-only, right? If you right click on them, can you select them to sync locally as available offline?
One more thing, is your Dropbox folder located under ~/Library/CloudStorage?
I am on version 222.4.5042, installed just today on a new Mac laptop. I designated several folders to be synced to the computer using Selective Sync, and then selected "Available Offline" under Default Sync State for New Files. But Dropbox did not register these preferences and kept all files in Selectively Sync'd folders as cloud-based only, not downloaded to my machine. By "did not register these preferences" I mean that despite showing that these are my preferences, Dropbox is not heeding them in its behavior.
- Megan
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, jk33.
Can you let us know which version of the Dropbox app you're using?
You can see that, along with the sync status of the app, by hovering over the Dropbox icon in your system tray.
Also, what steps have you tried so far on your end, and what is the behavior you see?
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
I am having exactly the same issue as D P describes. I am just moving to a new laptop, and no matter what I do, I cannot get my files to sync locally.
- Walter
Hey D P - thanks for clarifying that for us.
Could you please let me know your computer's exact OS version, and the version and status of the Dropbox desktop app?
If you can also let us know your ticket numbers so that we can look them up in our system too, I'd appreciate it.
- Yep, entire folder marked as "keep offline"
- Jay
Hi everyone, just for clarification, have you marked the entire Dropbox folder as available offline from Explorer/Finder to force the files to download again?
I've got the same issue. Selective sync is set up as desired. Most files not available offline until I open them one by one while online.
Not good. Please advise.
Unfortunately, it looks to me like this is the new Dropbox way. I've installed it on 5 new systems, using various accounts, free and paid, Windows and Mac..
The very first thing I do is "Default sync state" set to "Available offline" on all computers.
I never, ever, want to have a file inaccessible while working in an area without internet, so 100% of my files need to be synced at all times. However, countless times, I make an update and the file stays "in the cloud" on other machines until it's opened.
Multiple support tickets.
I was really hoping you found a solution because I have a similar issue. It works on one computer but not the other and I need it to all be available offline because I don't always have internet available. I have a lot less data than you as well. Regardless, thanks for trying.
