Adjust bandwidth settings on a schedule

[Richard C.48]

I'm setting up a new PC and Dropbox is pulling down a ton of files. I had to throttle the bandwidth for Dropbox down during my workday because it was interfering with my work. At night I removed the bandwidth limits, and tomorrow morning I will have to reapply them if the download isn't done.

It would be nice if you could define a bandwidth schedule: set bandwidth limits and the hours (and days of the week perhaps) when they apply. That way, Dropbox could help itself to unlimited bandwidth at night but throttle itself down during the workday.

[Walter]

This idea has been closed as it has reached the end of the Share an Idea process.

Thank you for your suggestion, and if you have another idea to share, please do! 

[Walter]

Hey there @Richard C.48 - welcome to our Community and thanks for posting your thoughts about this!

We are always looking for our users' input when creating the next version of the Dropbox desktop app (you're always helping us improve our current features and services by providing your feedback and use-cases) and I will make sure your comments are passed along to our development team - thank you for this feature request Richard (i.e. an option to schedule the desktop app's bandwidth settings that is). 

If there's anything else you'd like to add, please let me know!

[David F.43]

I need this feature too.  My mother's computer is in a rural area and has DSL only.  She needs Dropbox but also relies heavily on Amazon Echo devices for assistance.  Dropbox chews up too much of the bandwidth for both to run well.  If we could set Dropbox up between midnight and 7AM to be full speed but the rest of the time 14kbs then we'd be "fine".

We're on Mac so even an applescripting solution I could launch on am iCal schedule would work.

[MVD2]

It would very useful to have at least the ability to set bandwidth limits at daytime and nighttime. Thanks.

[HaroldWever]

As a user I can already set limits to my up- and download bandwidth, but I would like to be able to set timers so that these limits are only valid at certain times (e.g. only limit outside office hours so I can work undisturbed during the day and use full sync options during the night). Since I have a very limited bandwith in one of my off-site locations this feature would really help. Thanks for considering!

[Walter]

Thank you for your idea, while we can’t take every idea forward we do regularly re-review and will update you if anything changes!

[Syncer1]

Meantime while Dropbox app itself doesn't support this feature, does anyone know how the bandwidth limits can be set programmatically / via script / command / so that changes can be scheduled with Windows Task Scheduler (or Linux cron job or launchd on Mac)

[JeremyRCarter]

I really love Dropbox! However, there really needs to be an update for the application to where users can select times in which Dropbox will be allowed to sync. Starlink is implementing a data cap and last month I exceeded the limit that they'll be implementing. So, starting next month if I go over 1TB, my service will be throttled to slower speeds. Already between two days this monthly cycle, I've used close to 300GB of data through Dropbox with pictures being backed-up! Data use between 11PM-7AM doesn't count toward our use. Can Dropbox PLEASE implement an application (PC/Mac) update that will allow for users to select times in which Dropbox will be allowed to sync data? I would like it to sync all day from 7AM-11PM, but at a MUCH slower rate compared to the 11P-7A time frame. Or maybe having the option of what type of files can sync at full speed. .docx, .pptx, .xlsx even PDFs would be helpful with pictures and video being delayed until the scheduled time! If you've used Bittorrent or uTorrent, the way they have the schedule option for data transfer is a perfect example of how the Dropbox app should be setup. Being able to select and setup a schedule would be greatly improved over having to remember to manually pause and turn sync back on at the needed times. I go to bed early, so manually turning sync on at 11P isn't an option for me. If this could be implemented with the next update or two, that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Attached is a screen shot of the scheduler for uTorrent or Bittorrent.

[Hannah]

Hey @JeremyRCarter, thanks for taking the time to post!

I just moved your idea under this existing one, as it seems to match yours.

Feel free to up-vote it to show your support.

[JeremyRCarter]

@Hannah It's so nice to see that suggestions get all lumped together and NOTHING has been done about this issue in over three years! I feel that Dropbox doesn't care about it's customers when this is an issue. If this is a lack of understanding for programming, maybe Dropbox should hire some people on that know how to program?

[Walter]

This idea has been closed as it has reached the end of the Share an Idea process.

Thank you for your suggestion, and if you have another idea to share, please do!