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Smart Sync enabled still taking up hard-drive space!
I noticed others have had this issue, but I have some files selected as "online only" via smart sync and they are still taking up space on my hard drive, causing my mac to tell me I'm running out of hard drive space. It's happening with multiple files, but I've included screen shots for one as an example. I'm running MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6, and dropbox v59.4.93.
As you can see in the first screenshot, my Mac HD says my largest file is "CC IBD Training.MOV" stored in "Next Steps-->Citygroups-->Videos" folder.
"Large Files" stored on my hard driveNow if you look at this screenshot, I pull up the folder Next Steps-->Citygroups-->Videos. The whole folder is selected as "online only" as is the "CC IBD Training" video. Strangely, the other 2 videos in this folder do not show up on my hard drive, but "CC IBD Training" still says it's stored on my hard drive, as indicated above.Same file here indicated to be "online only"What can I do about this? As you can see, I'm low on hard drive space and as a result cannot install MacOS Mojave.
Hey there mike52487 - sorry to hear about this.
As you might know, there are various places to see the size of a file in Finder. Some of these locations will display the logical size, others the physical size. A Smart Sync placeholder takes up approximately 0kb, this is the pysical size. The logical size of the file is the actual size of the file, if it were downloaded to the device. Is it possible that this is what you're seeing in your default "Documents" folder?
To see both the logical and physical file size:
- Right click on a file/folder
- Select 'Get info'
- In the properties window you will see the original file size, followed by the actual on-disk size:For example:428,510 bytes (0 KB on disk)It is important to be able to view both sizes, not just to reassure you that the file is not taking up space, but also to understand the space and speed implications of returning the file(s).
In other views of Finder, your Mac's OS will report the logical size. For this reason you shouldn't be concerned if it initially appears that the placeholder is taking up space. To confirm the file or folder is not taking up space, please check via the above steps.
I hope this helps and let me know what you find Mike. Oh, and happy Monday!
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey there mike52487 - sorry to hear about this.
As you might know, there are various places to see the size of a file in Finder. Some of these locations will display the logical size, others the physical size. A Smart Sync placeholder takes up approximately 0kb, this is the pysical size. The logical size of the file is the actual size of the file, if it were downloaded to the device. Is it possible that this is what you're seeing in your default "Documents" folder?
To see both the logical and physical file size:
- Right click on a file/folder
- Select 'Get info'
- In the properties window you will see the original file size, followed by the actual on-disk size:For example:428,510 bytes (0 KB on disk)It is important to be able to view both sizes, not just to reassure you that the file is not taking up space, but also to understand the space and speed implications of returning the file(s).
In other views of Finder, your Mac's OS will report the logical size. For this reason you shouldn't be concerned if it initially appears that the placeholder is taking up space. To confirm the file or folder is not taking up space, please check via the above steps.
I hope this helps and let me know what you find Mike. Oh, and happy Monday!
That was the issue! Thank you, Walter.
Hi Mike,
I'm having the same issue that you originally posted about, however, I don't see how Walter's response would help in the case of your macbook telling you you're running out of space (Like mine currently is!!) How did this solve that issue? I'm somewhat computer savvy but definitely not an expert and I need this problem solved asap for work purposes!!
Thanks in advance!
Hey Walter, thanks. I have turned Sync on and its showing zero file size but it's still showing it as part of the available space and disallowing me to upgrade to MacOS.
Help?
- WalterHey there maryam2021; thanks for joining the discussion here.
Can you please check if this space is being taken up by your cache folder?
If you've ensured that the desktop app is fully synced and showing 'up to date' in your menu bar, you can delete it to retrieve some hard drive space.
Let me know how it goes!
