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Forum Discussion
How to view previews of online-only files on desktop (like how you can in the mobile app)? - macOS
I'm trying to figure out how to see previews, specifically of .jpeg online files, on my mac desktop. I use Dropbox almost exclusively for photo management and it's frustrating not even being able to ...
Jay
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHi meganh32, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
The difference between the apps is that the mobile app is primary used to preview files on the site, so it's actively downloading the thumbnails to let you preview the files in full when you tap them, and the full file is then downloaded.
Regarding the desktop, are you referring to using Quick Look on your Mac to see thumbnails, or something else?
This will help me to assist further!
Hi Jay,
I'm using almost exclusively just Finder thumbnail pictures, sometimes Preview, on Mac. I mainly use dropbox for photo storage and now that I don't have a computer that can locally store all my files, and I am unable to even preview photos while connected to the internet (I would understand that the thumbnails wouldn't show up if not connected to internet) it's making it nearly impossible to use dropbox effeciently. It's seeming like I have to use the website, find the file I need, then either download it (creating duplicate files) or find the file name/location and then going back to the desktop app and finding the file name/location again and downloading it there. It's very cumbersome.
- Megan
Hi meganh32 & ShropshireLad, can you try following these steps, in order to force quit the app?
- Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray, or menu bar, by the clock.
- Click on your profile picture or initials to the right of the search bar.
- Choose either "Exit Dropbox" or "Quit Dropbox".
Once you do, re-launch the app, and let me know if you notice any difference.
Megan and @ShropshireLad,
I just installed the new updated version of Dropbox for Mac that I was emailed about and it looks like it fixed the problem! I now show thumbnails for all of my pictures and can press the space bar to preview them in finder (although they are a small preview and not the full size, but I'll take what I can get).
@meganh32 what version of Dropbox are you now running?
I downloaded the latest version from the website and still have the issue.
Thumbnails not appearing for offline files, and even when I sync them, the thumbnail will not appear unless I restart Finder.
I'm running Ventura.
