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Forum Discussion
Can I delete files on Mac that are uploaded to Dropbox and not lose them?
I am trying to find a solution/alternative for my storage on my Macbook Pro. Basically, I want to upload certain folders from my Mac that contain large files (i.e. video) to Dropbox and then be able to delete them on my Mac so space is saved. iCloud allows me to upload, but if I delete them on my Mac, they will disappear on iCloud.
It sounds as if I can do this with Dropbox and not lose the files. However, is this true?
Bonus: Is there a way to automatically sync some folders to Dropbox but no others. What I am trying to ultimately do is:
1) Move all files on my Mac to Dropbox automatically
2) Be able to manually delete files from my 'Video' folder on the Mac yet still have them stay put in Dropbox
3) Be able to download those deleted files when I need them
My Mac is out of space and trying desperately to find a solution!
First, to clear up any confusion, the Dropbox folder on your computer is a folder like any other. Anything you put in the folder takes up space on your drive. That means that if you copy a file into the Dropbox folder, it now exists in two locations (the original folder and the Dropbox folder) and is taking up twice the space. For this reason, anything you want to store in Dropbox should be moved to the Dropbox folder. Also, Dropbox will only sync the files that you place in the Dropbox folder. It cannot sync any other folders on your computer automatically.
Now that that's out of the way... if you just want to store files online without them taking space, you can use Selective Sync or Smart Sync.
Selective Sync, available to any account level, allows you to selectively remove folders from your local drive while keeping them in your account online. Once a folder has synced (and NOT before) you can uncheck it in Selective Sync and it will be removed from your local drive. You would then use the Dropbox website to interact with that folder or download it as needed.
Smart Sync, available on Professional and Business accounts, allows you to set files and folders as Online Only. They still appear on your computer but they don't take up space. If you try to open a file that's marked as Online Only, it's first downloaded to the computer and then opened automatically.
- Rich
Super User II
First, to clear up any confusion, the Dropbox folder on your computer is a folder like any other. Anything you put in the folder takes up space on your drive. That means that if you copy a file into the Dropbox folder, it now exists in two locations (the original folder and the Dropbox folder) and is taking up twice the space. For this reason, anything you want to store in Dropbox should be moved to the Dropbox folder. Also, Dropbox will only sync the files that you place in the Dropbox folder. It cannot sync any other folders on your computer automatically.
Now that that's out of the way... if you just want to store files online without them taking space, you can use Selective Sync or Smart Sync.
Selective Sync, available to any account level, allows you to selectively remove folders from your local drive while keeping them in your account online. Once a folder has synced (and NOT before) you can uncheck it in Selective Sync and it will be removed from your local drive. You would then use the Dropbox website to interact with that folder or download it as needed.
Smart Sync, available on Professional and Business accounts, allows you to set files and folders as Online Only. They still appear on your computer but they don't take up space. If you try to open a file that's marked as Online Only, it's first downloaded to the computer and then opened automatically.
Hello Rich
Why is it that even though I chose smart sync "online only" & "selective sync" on a whole bunch of files, yet my storage space on MAC isn't freeing up? Thank you!
- Daphne
Dropbox Staff
Hey there RnR,
Could you let me know the current sync status of your desktop app? When you apply these settings, the app will need to sync them which may be why you're seeing no difference in the space.
Also, would you be able to let me know where you are checking the space the files are taking?
Let me know what you find - Thanks!
I ended up completeting filling my Mac becasue I didn't have smart sync on. Now I have smart sync on so i need to delete all of the files from my mac but without deleting them off of DropBox. How do I do this?
- Daphne
