All my files have zero bytes, eventhough they are supposed to be available offline

[alaindesilets]

I installed Dropbox on a brand new macbook. Originally, Dropbox was configured so all files were online, and therefore, it created a bunch of zero bytes files as placeholders for the online files.

Then I changed the configuration so that all files would be available offline. 

At that point, I expected DB to download all the files to my macbook's Hard Drive. But it didn't. And it claims that all my files are in sync.

I can't find a way to make DB synch the actual content of the files to my HD.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thx.

[Megan]

Hey @alaindesilets, let's jump right into this! 

Would you mind clarifying your device's OS, along with the Dropbox version you're using there? 

You should be able to locate your version by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your menu bar, next to your WiFi. 

Also, what is the app's syncing status at the moment? You mentioned that you changed the configuration on your end. Would you mind clarifying the steps you followed on your end? 

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there! 

[alaindesilets]

Would you mind clarifying your device's OS, along with the Dropbox version you're using there? 

OSX Sonoma, 14.4.

Dropbox 203.4.4857

Also, what is the app's syncing status at the moment? You mentioned that you changed the configuration on your end. 

When I go to "Sync History", it says at the bottom "Your files are up to date"

Would you mind clarifying the steps you followed on your end? 

I installed the Dropbox app and it "synced" very fast. I was quite surprised by this, but did not think much of it. I browsed the directory structure and opened a couple of files, and it seemed like all the files were there. I can't say whether or not the files were zero bytes then, but I assume they were, based on how fast DB "synced" my files.

Then I decided to move the DB box folder to /Users/Shared/Dropbox. I did this by clicking on "Preferences > Sync > Dropbox folder location", then changing the locartion.

At some point after that, I noticed the zero byte files and tried to address that by going to "Preferences > Sync" and clicking on "available offline".

I then expected DB to download the actual content of all the files, but it seems it did not. Pretty much all the files are still zero bytes, yet the app tells me my files are up to date. 

Some time after that 

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there! 

[Megan · Accepted solution]

Hey @alaindesilets, thanks for the details! 

This setting applies to content that is added to the device from the website. 

So if you were to add a file through the website, it should sync as "available offline". 

For existing content, you need to select the file/folder you wish to make available offline, right click on it and choose the relevant setting. Once you do that, the content should then sync accordingly,

Want to give it a go? 

[alaindesilets]

For existing content, you need to select the file/folder you wish to make available offline, right click on it and choose the relevant setting. Once you do that, the content should then sync accordingly,

That did the trick. Thanks Megan.

- Alain

[Megan]

Amazing news @alaindesilets!

If you need anything else, give us a shout! 

[Yilly]

Hi there! 

I have exactly the same issue but when I right click on a file or folder, I don't see any option to make the file available or whatsoever. I'm running a MacBook Pro 14.0. 

Kind regards,
Yilly

[Jay]

Hi @Yilly, are you right clicking the files directly in the Dropbox folder in Finder? 

Could you attach a screenshot in your next reply showing what context menu items you have when you right click?

[Yilly]

Hi Jay,
I've just now solved the issue using these steps: 
https://www.patrickgreenough.com/technology/how-to-re-instate-the-quick-actions-links-on-the-dropbox...

Thank you anyhow!
Kindly,

Yilly