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Smart Sync has disappeared from context menu

In my Dropbox folder in Finder, I right click on a folder/file and I no longer have the option for Smart Sync. Has anyone found a solution to this?

I have tried all of the solutions that I can find throughout this community to no avail.
- Deleting the cache files

- Uninstalling and reinstalling (Including a restart of the Macbook)

- Restarting the Macbook

- Checking and unchecking the 'save hard disk space automatically' in Dropbox app preferences.

- I have also looked everywhere in the Dropbox webpage for the 'turn smart sync on' checkbox but it doesn't appear to exist. I imaging this was taken out since the previous posts which mention it.
- There is also no option to check or uncheck smart sync in my app preferences. Nor any mention of smart sync.

I am running MacOS Big Sur Version 11.0.1.

Dropbox says it is up to date when I hover over the icon (154.4.3932)

I'm really at a loss of what to do next. I've lost a days work trying to sort this out and haven't heard back from support since emailing them.

I've attached an image of what I see when right clicking on a folder.

Regards and thanks in advance!

Screenshot 2022-07-25 at 20.14.49.png

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Accepted answers

Rich

@Aegon wrote:
In my Dropbox folder in Finder, I right click on a folder/file and I no longer have the option for Smart Sync. Has anyone found a solution to this?

You still have the options and they're visible in your screenshot. Dropbox has just renamed them in the more recent versions. Local is now shown as Make available offline and Online-only is now shown as Make online-only. They're no longer listed in a separate sub-menu.

All comments

Rich

@Aegon wrote:
In my Dropbox folder in Finder, I right click on a folder/file and I no longer have the option for Smart Sync. Has anyone found a solution to this?

Aegon

I seeee! I just tried it and it worked. I feel so stupid now haha.

Rich thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

You're the best!

Lynn Bennett

How do I do this on a Windows system? If you can post screen shots, too that would be very helpful! 🙂

Hannah

Hey @Lynn Bennett, thanks for the nudge here!

Can you please clarify what you'd like to do exactly?

The options to make a file online-only or available offline, should be there when you right-click on a file in your Dropbox folder.

Is that not what you see on your end?

Lynn Bennett

DropBox made me upgrade in order for the smart sync to work. I really enjoyed and will miss the free version. LOL!

AggieK

Hi Rich,

Can I jump in on this issue here too? I too am experiencing this, but I only have 1 of the items appearing under the Quick Actions menu, sometimes 2. But never the 'Make online only' option.

Thanks,
Aggie

Screen Shot 2022-08-03 at 7.20.59 pm.png

Megan

Hi @AggieK, how are you today?

Have you made sure your app is running? What is its syncing status while we speak?

Keep me posted!

heikkipekka

I’d like to understand this clearly:

Has the latest version of macOS and Dropbox app returned the Smart Sync function, where a file I’ve made available online-only is been downloaded in the background if it’s accessed in a third-party app like part of a, lets say an Adobe InDesign file as a link to a JPEG image?

I’ve not upgraded my M1 MacBook Air to macOS 12.3 as this support page still after half a year still suggests Smart Sync feature still IS NOT available in newer macOS versions: https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/macos-12-monterey-support.

As I no longer find any mention of Smart Sync function on Dropbox website, and that support page suggests the old way of supporting third-party apps no longer work, I’m left with a conclusion Dropbox no longer serves me the way it has, and I have to reconsider any more paying for the subscription.

Hannah

Hey @heikkipekka, thanks for taking the time to post here.

This concern is only impacting our customers on macOS 12.3 and above.

Any customer that's running macOS 12.3 and below, will still have full functionality of the feature.

All apps should be able to access online-only content as macOS 12.2 devices and below.

And of course, we're currently working on fully supporting macOS 12.3 and above, as mentioned in this article.

joshblevins

Hi Hannah,

It is nice that this issue only affects people who have updated their MacOS at some point since mid-January, when OS 12.3 was released. I assume that this means that, unfortunately, 97% of Mac users still have this problem. It is unacceptable that Dropbox is still running a year behind the times--and is a year late delivering one of the key features Dropbox users are paying for.

There have been promises of this feature being restored for Mac users for ages, with no date certain ever provided and no promised results ever delivered.

When does Dropbox expect this feature to return? Also, what sort of compensation is Dropbox able to provide for this sustained loss of functionality to those of us who for those of us who have, in good faith, taken Dropbox at its word that this functionality will be returning imminently, month after month?

heikkipekka

Josh,

We’re been silly. Of course the blame is on us waiting (and paying) for YEARS for Smart Sync to return.

I think it’s just time to move on and unsubscribe Dropbox. Sorry to come to that conclusion. Sad.

billstangel

I am having the same issues on my laptop - Windows 10. The Dropbox menu options to not show up when I right click on the Dropbox folder. I have been attempting to resolve the issue with Dropbox email support but that has not resolved the problem nor have they been very responsive.

I have reinstalled the app, modified the registry menu... haven't resolved the problem.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hannah

Hey @billstangel, sorry to see you're having issues with this.

Can you please clarify if you're just missing the options to make your files online-only/available offline, or all Dropbox context menu items?

Also, which version of the Dropbox app do you currently have installed and what's the sync status?

You can see that by hovering over the Dropbox icon in your system tray.

billstangel

I did a reinstall this week (and multiple times in the past) and I believe I am using the current stable version. I have turned off the option to work with beta releases. I do not see the version when I hover over the icon in the tray... All that is visible is the word Dropbox. None of the Dropbox menu items are visible when viewing the folders (right click) in the Explorer app.

I am not finding the version of the app that I have installed, but the file version of the Dropbox Update Setup is as follows:

Walter

Could you download and install the latest version of the desktop app from this page and let us know how it goes @billstangel?

billstangel

Just found the version - I was looking at the wrong tray icon... here it is: 167.4.4719 I just did an uninstall and reinstall with this version. When installing, it offered to put all folders in my Dropbox folder in 'online only' mode. I did accept this option for most of the files/folders. It is now indexing files and it will take some time. I do not see the Dropbox menu options when I right click, but I will let it get through the indexing and revisit this tomorrow.

Megan

Hi @billstangel, just checking in with you about this.

Did you notice any progress?

MariaFestli

I am also having this problem. None of the things mentioned before is working. I just reinstalled V182.4.6427. All files are updated.

I just have the option of saving locally or just online. I don't have enough space to save the files I need locally, and I don't have the option on the "General page" of preferences to switch on smart sync anymore.

Walter

Hi @MariaFestli, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please send us a screenshot of the options you get when you right (or control) click on your files in your Dropbox folder?

Also, can you take a look at the app's preferences under the Sync tab and let us know where your Dropbox folder is located?