Not all files are available offline on MacBook

[208308223]

I have a question about Dropbox synchronization on the MacBook.

If I recall correctly, a few months ago, I read that there have been significant changes to Dropbox, and as a result, files are no longer necessarily stored offline. But this bothers me a lot.

Although I have set the synchronization settings to store all folders offline on my MacBook, this only happens when I manually select "Make available offline" for each folder in Finder. When I save folders or files at the top level, they get uploaded and then deleted from my MacBook.

The storage capacity of my MacBook is 128 GB, and I have 24.75 GB of free space. I am using Dropbox Basic. Dropbox version: V174.4.5852. macOS Monterey version 12.6.5.

For so many years, I have been storing all my files in my Dropbox. My workflow has always been to save new files to the top level of Dropbox and then organize them. But now I can't do that anymore, and it really bothers me.

Is there a way to set it up so that all (!) files are truly available offline?

I apologize if I am bringing up a topic that has been explained elsewhere. I tried to find a solution through Google, but I failed.

Thank you for your help!

[Walter]

Hi there @208308223, thanks for posting on our Community and happy Monday.

It sounds like you're experiencing what's outlined in this Help Center article. 

In that case, please note that with the Dropbox for macOS update, setting how newly added files are stored in your Dropbox account is no longer configured using Preferences. Instead, this can be reconfigured directly in Finder. Here’s how:

1. Open Finder.
2. Select the folders the default setting should be applied to or select the entire Dropbox folder in ~/Library/CloudStorage.
3. Right-click Make available offline.

This will make the current files and folders contained within your Dropbox folder Available offline, as well as any files and folders you add in the future. 

To make newly added files online-only instead, follow the steps above but select Make online-only instead.

I hope this helps! 

[208308223]

Thank you for your response! 🙂

Yes, your responses should help me. However, I need some assistance in implementing them. 

I'm unable to access the folder ~/Library/CloudStorage.

When I copy the path to my Dropbox, it reads as follows: /Users/XXX/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox

However, I can't find the folder "CloudStorage" under /Users/XXX/Library

I apologize if I'm being a bit clueless.

[Nancy · Accepted solution]

Hi from me as well, @208308223!

Can you please follow the steps provided in the last post here, and let me know if they seem to help at all?

[208308223]

Yes, thank you! The steps provided in the last post helped me. Now I can use Dropbox as I used to before. Fantastic. Thanks also to @Walter

[Nancy]

That’s great, @208308223! If something else comes up, feel free to ping us.

[dvdm]

Hi,

I have the same issue with this apparently new Dropbox approach.  My sync settings are such that everything is always synced, but nowadays many files have this little cloud icon next to them, indicating I need to download them (i.e. have an internet connection). While this does get the latest version, it often defeats the purpose of Dropbox for me, as I cant access these files e.g. when traveling with poor connection. I have followed the provided link in the first answer given, but this seems a different issue to me. I just want all files to get downloaded to my comp whenever I get an internet connection, could you give clear step-wise instructions how to do this for Mac Ventura, and Dropbox v174.4 (with folders stored at Users/.../Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox)?

Thanks

[Walter]

Hey @dvdm, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

If you'd like to make your entire Dropbox folder available offline, you can navigate to the Dropbox folder in ~/Library/CloudStorage, right-click, and choose Make available offline.

From there,  you should let the desktop app sync your changes until it's 'up to date' in your menu bar. 

Let us know if you need anything else. 

[dvdm]

Oh wow, that was simple and easy. Worked! Thanks!

[CaptainBlue]

That seems to only be an all or nothing approach: in my case, I've set up a new iMac and selected a number of folders to always be available offline.  They each have a green tick on the folders but also the little cloud download icon and the actual files themselves are not downloaded.