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Forum Discussion

Whatever2018's avatar
Whatever2018
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

How can I completely disable Smart Sync?

How can I completely, 100%, disable Smart Sync so that Dropbox will always download all of my files? The settings I have found all apply to NEW files and seem to have no impact on old files. What...
Account Settings
desktop
FAQ
sync
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    6 years ago

    Hey there Whatever2018 - how are you today?

    I'm sorry to hear you would like to opt out of Smart Sync. Depending on the account you're on now you can do it following the steps mentioned below:  

    Individuals that no longer wish to use Smart Sync can do so with the steps found in the following Help Center article: 

    https://www.​​dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/filesystem-integration#optout

     If you're the Admin of a Dropbox for Business team and you'd like to opt all members of your Dropbox Business team out of Smart Sync, I'd also suggest to see the following Help Center article specifically under the section "Dropbox Business team admins: how to opt out your whole team from the system extension":  

    https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/filesystem-integration#optout

    Also note that some of your team members may have connected a work and personal account. If you opt out your team from the system extension, team members won't be able to use Smart Sync on any personal devices (or personal accounts) where they're also signed in to their Business account.

    I hope this information helps and please keep me posted on your progress!

Seager1's avatar
Seager1
Helpful | Level 6

None of this works at all. Users really ought to have the choice to switch smart sync on or off but this seems impossible. I have "normal" dropbox on other devices but when I upgraded the SDD on this Macbook Air I am on, suddenly the nonsense Smartsync was on and I cannot find a way to switch it off. Time to move to OneDrive, amazing how a startup like Dropbox can drive its customers away. Clowns!

pspahn's avatar
pspahn
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

I couldn't agree more. "Smart" Sync is absolutely stupid! Very bad job, Dropbox!

  • SmartSyncBad11's avatar
    SmartSyncBad11
    New member | Level 2
    5 years ago

    Couldn't agree more. An appalling feature. Unwanted and a nightmare to get round. Completely idiotic.

    • Cimbian's avatar
      Cimbian
      Helpful | Level 6
      5 years ago

      It's actually worse than the roll-out of Windows 8 by MS... and that was appalling! 

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