Need to see if your shared folder is taking up space on your dropbox đŸ‘šâ€đŸ’»? Find out how to check here.

Forum Discussion

pbuckland's avatar
pbuckland
Helpful | Level 6
8 years ago
Solved

Smart Sync is default to online-only but not working

Hi all,

 

In my Smart Sync settings, I have the default set to online-only. i.e. new files should be set to online-only.

 

However, whenever someone adds a new folder+files to my shared folder, it selectively syncs to the folder and all files. I thought that it would show in explorer, but only in online-only mode...

 

Thanks!

desktop
security
sync
  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    8 years ago
    Hey pbuckland, 

    In short, when you disable Smart Sync, the Selective Sync settings will apply. 

    When Smart Sync is enabled on an account, the default settings apply for new content only, so your existing files/folders are not affected unless the Smart Sync settings are manually changed. 

    Since your users are finding it difficult to manage both features, I understand that you want to disable Smart Sync, and have them only work with Selective Sync. Another way to do this would be to have each user set their preferences to Local for new files, go in and change to local any online-only content that they have manually set on existing content, and then only use the Selective Sync settings to manage things. Alternatively, they could select to sync all folders from the Selective Sync settings, and then use Smart Sync to manage it all. 
     
    Cheers

16 Replies

Replies have been turned off for this discussion
Show More
  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago
    Hey pbuckland, 

    You’re right about new content defaulting to local, even if it’s created in, or added to, a Smart Synced folder. You’re also right about having to turn on Selective Sync, and changing the Smart Sync setting to local, if you want to sync a previously non-Selectively Synced folder. 

    Your team admin can set the default Smart Sync action for all team members, as shown here. 

    Now, as far as disabling Smart Sync, that currently isn’t an option. What you can do is to have the default action as Set new files as local, and then use Selective Sync to manage things. 
     
    I know this isn’t ideal for you, and I’m letting the team know about your comments and concerns. 

    Thanks
  • pbuckland's avatar
    pbuckland
    Helpful | Level 6
    8 years ago

    Hi,

     

    Actually, your link suggests that we can in fact disable Smart Sync by opting out of the extension.

     

    My only concern, though, is what will happen to online-only folders/files when we opt out? If I have selectively synced to a file, but set it to online-only, when I opt out will that file just become normal selectively synced (so the same as if it was "local" Smart Synced)? Or is it un-selectively synced?

     

    Thanks,

    Paul

  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago
    Hey again, pbuckland, 

    I’ve reached out to our specialist for clarification on your question, and hope to get you an answer asap. 

    Cheers! 
  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago
    Hey pbuckland, 

    In short, when you disable Smart Sync, the Selective Sync settings will apply. 

    When Smart Sync is enabled on an account, the default settings apply for new content only, so your existing files/folders are not affected unless the Smart Sync settings are manually changed. 

    Since your users are finding it difficult to manage both features, I understand that you want to disable Smart Sync, and have them only work with Selective Sync. Another way to do this would be to have each user set their preferences to Local for new files, go in and change to local any online-only content that they have manually set on existing content, and then only use the Selective Sync settings to manage things. Alternatively, they could select to sync all folders from the Selective Sync settings, and then use Smart Sync to manage it all. 
     
    Cheers
  • pbuckland's avatar
    pbuckland
    Helpful | Level 6
    8 years ago

    Thanks,

     

    However that doesn't tell me whether the selectively synced file that are online-only will download once Smart Sync has been disabled.

     

    For example, with selective sync on and online-only set, files are there but with no content (empty files). If I disable Smart Sync, I wouldn't be surprised if the empty files then sync to the cloud. Hopefully that's not the case but I wouldn't want to try it without first having reassurance it won't happen.

     

    I've also noticed another problem - I've selectively synced to a bunch of folders and set them to online-only. I then un-selectively synced them, expecting them to disappear, but all the empty files are still on my local drive. They aren't syncing, and have no Dropbox icon on the folder icon, but they're still there. This is really concerning.

     

    Thanks,

    Paul

  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago
    Hey again, pbuckland, 

    Let’s make sure we’re on the same page here with the terminology. When a folder is Selectively Synced, it is syncing to your computer. If you have set this folder to online-only with Smart Sync, then the folder is removed from your computer, and you just see a placeholder. 

    If you now disable Smart Sync, your Selective Sync setting that still exist, will come into play, causing the folder to sync to your computer again. 
     
    As for the last part of your question, what happens if you attempt to open these “empty” files? Have you restarted the computer, and they are still there? 
     
    Cheers

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!