Forum Discussion

Explorer | Level 4

7 years ago

Re: Smart Sync set to Online Only but still taking up storage on macOS 10.13.4.

Hello! I am also having the same problem with smart sync, although I am using macOS 10.13.4. I have a folder set to online-only, but it is still taking up the free space from my SSD.

Sync

Jane
7 years ago
Thanks a lot for getting back in touch with me here with these additional details slypapp!

As it’s my understanding that there’s a discrepancy when it come to the usage reported on your hard disc, I’d like to send you a couple more details below & we’ll take it from there.

Initially, do you see all your files in this folder being saved locally (despite your choice being otherwise) or some of your files in this folder?

Can you also let me know some example file types, where you’ve noticed this behavior?

Incidentally, are there any applications that constantly or persistently look at your files (or monitor your Dropbox folder)? If so, please note that your files may be accessed in the background if you didn't recall them manually & for that reason these are saved locally anew. If this is the case, I'd suggest testing by temporarily quitting or disabling applications systematically until you see that the issue is resolved (i.e. once you set the folder to “Online-only” & this doesn’t change without your input).

Thanks again & I’ll be awaiting your next reply with your findings here!
PhilipvS
7 years ago
And here's more GOOD news! I just realized that on a Mac, at least, I can simpy use <command> i to get info on any folder on my (500GB) mac. The Dropbox folder is 942GB - that's what shows in Finder. BUT!!! <command> i shows BOTH: 942,787,185,844 bytes (352 GB on disk) for 392,264 items This works at all folder levels. - Voila! Solution to MY problem. Hope that helps others....

slypapp

Explorer | Level 4

Dear Jane,

Thanks for your fast reply. I am using the newest macOS, not beta. Just upgraded a few days ago, but I also had this problem before with 10.13.3.

Sorry, it is in Hungarian, and I have set up a custom icon for this certain folder. But it is a folder, yes. Also experiencing this with other folders aswell.

Thx

Best regards.

Jane

Dropbox Staff

7 years ago

Thanks a lot for getting back in touch with me here with these additional details slypapp!

As it’s my understanding that there’s a discrepancy when it come to the usage reported on your hard disc, I’d like to send you a couple more details below & we’ll take it from there.

Initially, do you see all your files in this folder being saved locally (despite your choice being otherwise) or some of your files in this folder?
Can you also let me know some example file types, where you’ve noticed this behavior?

Incidentally, are there any applications that constantly or persistently look at your files (or monitor your Dropbox folder)? If so, please note that your files may be accessed in the background if you didn't recall them manually & for that reason these are saved locally anew. If this is the case, I'd suggest testing by temporarily quitting or disabling applications systematically until you see that the issue is resolved (i.e. once you set the folder to “Online-only” & this doesn’t change without your input).

Thanks again & I’ll be awaiting your next reply with your findings here!

jquintanilla4
Explorer | Level 4
7 years ago
So I wrote this already, but i got my reply deleted because it thought it was spam. This rewrite will be shorter.

I am currently running 48.4.58 stable version on MacOS 10.13.4. I've set 37GB to online online, but only 5GB are actually acting as advertised. The remaining 32GB are being read by MacOS as still being there and filling up storage space.

I've noticed the files themselves are 0kb once you drilled down to the files within the folders, but their correspoinding folders report as if they were still there with their full size. MacOS interprets them as being in their full size.

I've had this problem now since the new Professional plan was released. I've reached out to the support, they've told me MacOS is wrong, told me the storage is not being used, and to basically ignore it because MacOS is showing wrong info.

There is no other applications or servies requiring those folders to be downloaded or be activated, so i know that's not the problem. The file types are pretty much all .jpeg. .mov .mp4 .mp3 .docx .pptx .xlx .cad .cd4 .mb .pdf etc etc etc...

Is there any new fix to this problem aside from ignoring it? would love to actually have the service work as advertised.
- Jane
  Dropbox Staff
  7 years ago
  
  Hey jquintanilla4, thanks for your very detailed reply here with the screenshots of the behavior you’re getting; I hope you’re doing well today!
  
  I was able to run a search on my end & I’ve made sure to release your post from our Spam filter, hence we now have both comments here. I’d also like to follow-up on any open tickets you have with our team, so please let me know of your ticket ID here & I’ll make sure to check back on that internally.
  
  Following, let’s focus more on the issue in question. In order to determine whether your files are taking up the space the screenshots are indicating, I’d like to ask you an one more screenshot of your folder structure (i.e. ideally including the folders in question) & your overlay icons. For example, have you set your “Draid_Private” folder as online-only? Do you see the cloud icon or the green checkmark?
  
  Thanks again for posting here & I’ll be awaiting your next message, so as to clarify the best next steps to address this case!
  - PhilipvS
    Helpful | Level 6
    7 years ago
    I started using SmartSync a few months ago instead of SelectiveSync, which was difficult to keep track of.... I love SmartSync! BUT......
    
    Yes, my Mac shows the full file size, even of files and folders which are online only. I have 850GB in DropBox, only about 350 is LOCAL. This maybe the problem the users above are seeing. It's not really a problem - it's important to know how large files and folders would be if I clicked on them and made them local! This was a big issue with Selective Sync - now better in SmartSync.
    
    This is fine, but when I have a folder that is mixed, I can't tell how much space it is really taking up on Mac. Would be great to know both!!
jquintanilla4
Explorer | Level 4
7 years ago
I'm having similar problems, even though I've gone through technical support with your support. My computer is still telling me that I am using the full disc space, unless I drill down to the file itself, and then it tells me it is Zero KB. But that doesn't really matter, because the OS itself doesn't seem to understand that, and keeps telling me that my storage space is being used up.

I am running Mac OS 10.13.4. I am running Dropbox 48.4.58. It is the stable build, not beta. I have set roughly 37GB to online only, and well only about 5GB are actually online only.

There is no other application looking at those files, so there should be no reason for them to get activated and downloaded. I've seen the explained above with all kind of file types .jpeg, .pdf, .mb, .mp4, .mp3, .mkv, .cad, .psd, .ai, .docx, .pptx, etc.

I've done troubleshooting left and right with your support resources information, with your technical team, and I'm still at the same place with the same probem.

Will there ever be a fix? maybe MacOS 10.14?

At this point, I might just downgrade my plan and use seletive sync. Seems like a better fix for MacOS.