How to deactivate smart sync

Hey @jxrgen, thanks for reaching out to the Dropbox Community.

To disable this feature, first you need to make sure that all your files are switched to 'available offline'

Once you've right clicked on the files and chosen 'make available offline' for everything, you should be able to disable the Dropbox system extension.

Let me know how it goes!

OK, so from what you are saying is that I have to deactivate the system extension to deactivate the smart sync.

1) Does that affect the dropbox sync in general?

2) Does that affect the selective sync?

2) Do I have to do this procedure on every single system I use my dropbox account?

Hey @jxrgen, disabling the Dropbox system extension, will just no longer allow you to use the 'make online-only' feature.

Syncing will otherwise not be affected, nor will you need to do this every time you use Dropbox.

I want all files available offline on my computer all the time with out having to right click and click Make available offline. Doing this for every folder and file I add is ridiculous. This is something new that files aren't stored locally by default. I wish I never did this recent update.

I opened a thread recently because of the same thing ... yes it's annoying. It should be possible by deactivating the system extension manually somehow.

In the thread a person from dropbox explained to me how, didn't have time to check it till now because you gotta make sure to have all files stored when doing this ...

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Settings-and-Preferences/How-to-deactivate-smart-sync/m-p/652782#M13327

Hello, the Dropbox system extension option is not listed under my general tab. I really want to disable this so all my files are always available offline on my computer.

Thank you

Can you please send us a screenshot of the options you see, Kyle?

I deactivated the system extension in the online mask but it did not change anything.

... at least on my macOS Ventura 13.1

Hey @jxrgen, can you right/control click the Dropbox folder itself and choose to make it available offline, to see if that helps?

yes i can

Megan

Hi @jxrgen, did the content switch to offline after this?

You also mentioned changing the system extension, in the online mask. Could you walk me through the steps you took, in order to achieve that, please?

I disabled the system extension like Hannah suggested with this manual: Dropbox system extension.

However, as this system extension is not necessarry for current macOS systems anyway I doubt that this will deactivate the smart sync on my Mac.

And yes, if I right click and "make offline" it downloads the content. Just like I said, nothing changed.

Screenshot 2023-01-26 at 08.51.14.jpg

I just realized when I add a new file shortly after the cloud icon beside the file name disappears and the file seems to be available in offline mode. If this continues then my problem seems to be solved. I just had to choose make available offline the current files I have in dropbox for those to be available. Hopefully they don't touch this again.

Megan

Keep an eye on this, and let us know if you come across any problems in the future @kyle88204!

so, is there a solution for current macOS systems too? @Hannah @Megan

Hey @jxrgen, the way the Dropbox for macOS app works, new files will indeed sync as online-only.

As a workaround, you can make your entire Dropbox folder available offline.