Forum Discussion

Andrew-RFLB's avatar
Andrew-RFLB
Helpful | Level 5
8 years ago
Solved

Smart Sync and Quick Preview on Mac

Smart Sync causes my quick preview function (spacebar) to not function properly on my Mac. I can't preview thumbnails, or quick preview any videos or photos. Any ideas why this happens?
desktop
Mac
Setting up the apps
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    8 years ago

    Likely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.

     

    When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.

     

    Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.

Ideal1's avatar
Ideal1
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago
So, have you the solution for this problem, in my case is a big issue?
8/9 months to fix is not good tech support.
Can you help us?
Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
7 years ago
Hey there (Ideal1), rest assured that I’m here to help as much as possible. If it’s not too much trouble for you, can you elaborate a bit on what seems to be the issue on your end, in order to follow-up on the right thing? 
 
To best address your concern, please include as much detail as possible on this discussion & I’ll do my best to follow-up with you. Thanks in advance! 
  • Alvpeerz's avatar
    Alvpeerz
    Helpful | Level 5
    7 years ago

    I commented a while ago. I have updated my macbook from High Sierra to Mojave but nothing has changed. Relaunching the finder works for 10 seconds, then it goes back to not showing previews again. This is systemwide, I stop seeing previews of everything in my computer. And here we are.

     

    I'd like to be contacted by support like Jen suggested.

    • Jane's avatar
      Jane
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      7 years ago

      Hey there ( Alvpeerz ), following your request here, I’ve sent you a brief message on the email connected to your Forum profile. You may have a look at your inbox at your earliest convenience if you’d like us to work on that together. Thanks in advance & happy Friday! 

       

       

      • Ideal1's avatar
        Ideal1
        Helpful | Level 5
        7 years ago

        Hi Jane,

        Mac OS High Sierra. Relaunching the Finder works, for a little while, then back to not being able to preview neither what I have in my computer or what's online.

        Is there a way to solve it?

        Thank you

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