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Forum Discussion
Mac App - Can't see files/folders in app, but can see in browser
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?
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!
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
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!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.
are the files showing up in finder? if not wait for dropbox to finish syncing, if you still can not see all your files, try deleting the cash, reinstalling dropbox and then sign back in again, if you don't feel right doing that I understand.
