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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?
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.
Jane Your response is insulting.
How have you NOT attributed this to dropbox yet? There are dozens of posts around the internet of people not having this issue until enabling smart sync. I made absolutley 0 changes to my system except enabling smart sync and then the probelm started. How in the world could you possibly push that off as anything else? And then it is furter confirmed after I disabled smart sync that the problem went away. Stop blaming something else and just accept the fact you guys screwed up, and have been screwing around on this issue for the past year. I've got degrees in computer engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. I have a better understanding of how software and technology works probably better than most of your support team. So dont talk to me like I dont know what the hell I'm referring to or like I dont know how to troubleshoot and diagnose an issue.
I also have absolutely zero confidence in your colleague. He responded to me saying the same exact thing you said a year ago on this forum, "However for the time been I am afraid that you will need to make the files local to be able to preview". HE DOESNT UNDERSTAND MY ISSUE EVEN AFTER I CLEARLY EXPLAINED TO HIM THIS WAS ON EVERY FILE ON MY COMPUTER EVEN OUTSIDE OF DROPBOX! He also doesn't understand how a Mac system works since he had zero idea what I meant by quicklook and preview. I dont want him working my case anymore, move me to someone else who actually knows how a mac works.
Jane
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox Staff- Yes I have already received a reply from original guy (who still had zero help other than “yup it’s a problem but you still need to make files local”) and a reply from someone else who immediately sent me a list of items to troubleshoot. Right now I’m waiting for him to reply on if he still wants me to troubleshoot even though I can easily remove the issue by disabling smart sync.
- Jane
- Well I was going to buy the business advanced for me and 2 other people to get the unlimited storage but because of this issue and how it’s still not been appropriately handled, I’m going to Drive Stream.
I have hit and miss performance with previewing cloud files in Finder. It looks like it works alright in the new Dropbox App. I'm guessing that is what the official solution will be to this problem.
I need an answer to this.
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi all!
If this is not too much to ask, could all the affected users log a ticket with our team providing all the relevant information so we can assist further (while being able to drill into your account specifics)?
Thank you all for your cooperation and patience on this matter.
PS: You can submit a ticket through this page directly:
