You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
Cloud icon with arrow on some folders/files (Mac issue)
I am working with dropbox for over 8 years but since last few weeks some sci-fi things are blocking my workflow with dropbox. I saw cloud icon w/arrow pointing down next to some (random) folders & files. those files are not available when I switch off wifi. I can't find any option in the settings to switch off that. I still have lots of free storage space. I need to have everything offline on every device.
I think it came with the last update. It's reall a mess.
How do I turn it off?
Hey there boroman, welcome to our Community and happy Monday!
It sounds like you updated to new version of the desktop app for Mac OS and you're referring to online only files/folders.
Note that a cloud icon with a down arrow means your file or folder is synced and online-only until it is opened.
“Synced” means that any changes you make to this file or folder are reflected everywhere you access your files in Dropbox. “Online-only” means that you’ll need to be connected to the internet to initially open this file or folder. Once opened, this file or folder will become available in the desktop app to be opened at any time.
Also note that you can adjust your syncing settings through the app's preferences under the Sync tab, if needed.
I hope this helps!
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey there boroman, welcome to our Community and happy Monday!
It sounds like you updated to new version of the desktop app for Mac OS and you're referring to online only files/folders.
Note that a cloud icon with a down arrow means your file or folder is synced and online-only until it is opened.
“Synced” means that any changes you make to this file or folder are reflected everywhere you access your files in Dropbox. “Online-only” means that you’ll need to be connected to the internet to initially open this file or folder. Once opened, this file or folder will become available in the desktop app to be opened at any time.
Also note that you can adjust your syncing settings through the app's preferences under the Sync tab, if needed.
I hope this helps!
Hi Walter and many thanks for replying
I have never changed my preferences - but I went to check it and yes, everything is as it was before, all folders "synced" but still, some of them reamin with the cloud/arrow symbol. what should I do?
Walter.-
The main problem is that syncing the files by opening them is not a realistic option. I am not connected to the internet all the time. Most of the time I need the files I am traveling and have no internet access. This is the reason I have all the files synced all the time. With this new setting I can not see the files when I need them.
There is no option to sync all the files all the time. You state: "Also note that you can adjust your syncing settings through the app's preferences under the Sync tab, if needed." Can you please specifically explain what are the steps to take to stop this syncing issue? I have tried to change the settings, but there is no such option.
This new update is a real problem!
- Walter
Hey jvelasco, thanks for the nudge on this and all the information you've shared with us.
With the Dropbox for macOS update, setting how newly added files are stored in your Dropbox account is no longer configured using Preferences.Instead, this can be reconfigured directly in Finder. Here’s how:
1. Open Finder.
2. Select the folders the default setting should be applied to or select the entire Dropbox folder in ~/Library/CloudStorage.
3. Right-click Make available offline.
This will make the current files and folders contained within your Dropbox folder Available offline, as well as any files and folders you add in the future.To make newly added files online-only instead, follow the steps above but select Make online-only instead.
I hope this helps!
