Mac App - Can't see files/folders in app, but can see in browser

[lloydchrein]

I have the Mac dropbox app. I want to view files in the app without having them stored on my hard drive - but when I go into the app I don't see the files. However, I can see them when logged into Dropbox on the browser. 

Does the app only display files/folders that are stored locally, and not show the online only files? Or is there a setting I'm missing to allow the app to display/access the online files?

[Walter]

Hi @lloydchrein, welcome to our Community and happy Friday!

The feature you're looking for is called Smart Sync and it's available to all of our plans except for the Basic one at this time. 

Can you take a look at this Help Center article and let me know if that would do the trick for you?

Thanks!

[lloydchrein]

Thank you. I have Smart Sync turned on, and I have my Dropbox folder in the finder set to Online only,

But then I also used Selective Sync and I unchecked everything. So that's why the folders are not appearing, I guess?

But... if I go into Selective Sync, and choose to view all the folders on my Mac... will that then use up HDD space on my computer? Or does that just display the folders/files locally when they are actually stored on Dropbox, and not using HDD space?

Just a little confused... thanks!

[Walter]

Yes, you're correct, Lloyd.

Un-checking folders in the selective sync settings would remove them from your computer to save up hard drive space, but you should be able to access those normally via the website. 

Just to make sure I got it right though, could you send me a screenshot of how the content of your Dropbox folder looks like?

Specifically, I'd like to check the syncing icons on the folders you mentioned. 

[lloydchrein]

Thanks! I actually can see all my files/folders in the browser - see 1.png - that's in the browser.

What I was hoping to do was see those files/folders in the Dropbox App - so I can keep that open and access everything there - see attachment 2.png. It says it's syncing but that's just because I uploaded a few files recently.

[Megan]

Hey @lloydchrein, thank you for the screenshots!

Can you share your syncing status with me?

Also, if you have un-checked these particular folders under the selective sync settings, then they wouldn't sync on the app, hence why you may not be seeing them. Can you confirm if this is the case? 

Cheers!

[lloydchrein]

Hi,

- Synching Status - it's all synched - doesn't show that anything remains to be synched.

- Selective Sync - yes, I did uncheck all in selective sync. I guess that's the crux of my question: When I choose items to selective sync, do they then save to my hard drive, and thereby take up space on the hard drive? Or do they just appear as available in the app/desktop folder, but are actually stored on Dropbox/online only? (I'm hoping it's the second option).

Thanks!

[Megan]

Hey @lloydchrein, thanks for getting back to me! 

There you go, the Selective sync setting is the key here. 

When you uncheck folders under the Selective Sync settings of the app, they aren't visible inside your Dropbox folder.

They remain visible on the website if you need them. You can have them accessible on your hard drive, but not to put a strain on your device's storage, by syncing them locally and then using Smart Sync. 

Give me another shout if something comes up!

 

[lloydchrein]

Thank you! Just so I'm totally clear on this....

In order to view files in the App or in the Dropbox folder on my computer HD:

- I use Selective Sync to select the files/folders that I want to view locally on my HD

- Then in Preferences > Sync, do I select the option to Save hard drive space automatically or select Let my admin manage this setting?

- And for the files and folders, do I set their Smart Sync setting to Local or Online Only?

[Megan · Accepted solution]

Hey @lloydchrein, great questions you got there! 

Correct. You sync the content locally, by checking the folders under the Selective Sync preferences.

Once the app is up to date, and the content is synced to the hard drive, you follow these steps to apply the Smart Sync settings.

In this Help Center article, you can see more regarding the Save hard drive automatically feature, and how the feature works. 

Can you try, and let me know how it goes? 

Cheers!