Need more room on your laptop? Or want your files ready when the Wi-Fi has other plans? Choosing between online-only and available offline can help.
Why make Dropbox files available offline?
Making a file available offline saves a copy on your device while keeping it in your Dropbox account. It uses device storage, but lets you access the file without an internet connection—handy for travelling or unreliable Wi-Fi.
On your computer, you can edit offline files using a compatible app. Dropbox syncs those changes when you reconnect, so they can appear on your other devices.
How to make Dropbox files available offline
On Windows or Mac:
- Open your Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
- Right-click the file or folder.
- Select Make available offline.
Let the download finish before disconnecting.
On your phone or tablet:
- Open the Dropbox mobile app.
- Tap the more options (…) menu beside the file.
- Turn on Make available offline.
Individual offline files are available on all plans; making entire folders available offline on mobile requires an eligible paid plan.
Find more details in the guide to accessing Dropbox files offline.
What are Dropbox online-only files?
Online-only files stay in your Dropbox account, with a small placeholder visible in your computer’s Dropbox folder. This frees up hard drive space, while the files still count towards your Dropbox storage.
Opening an online-only file on your computer downloads it, so you’ll need an internet connection and enough free space.
How to make Dropbox files online-only
- Open your Dropbox folder in File Explorer or Finder.
- Right-click the file or folder.
- Select Make online-only.
Need it offline again? Choose Make available offline.
See the guide to saving hard drive space with Dropbox.
You can mix and match: keep everyday work available offline and older projects online-only to give your laptop some breathing room.
Which files do you always keep ready for life without Wi-Fi? Let us know below! 💙
