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Files show up in the Dropbox folder on Mac but they don't sync online.

Hi guys

Been using Dropbox for a decade now, literally without any issues. But this last week some photo/video files are not fully syncing. As in they appear in file explorer on desktop (Mac OS), , full size MBs and everything but they cannot be opened. Like the files are not finalised or something.

Each of the files has this cloud symbol next to it that I've never seen before

Yet when I click the icon it says everything is synced?

Also if i download the files from the web app they work fine.

Any clues?

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Accepted answers

Nancy

Hahaha, might be!

Perhaps you can give these steps a go and see if they make any difference (only if you're not on a free Basic plan with more than 3 devices currently linked):

1) Clear the cache on your Dropbox app.

Tap the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner of the screen
Tap the gear icon labeled "Settings" at the bottom of the menu list
Scroll to “Privacy” & select “Clear cache"

2) Uninstall the Dropbox App

3) Sign out from the Play store

4) Restart your device

5) Sign into the Play Store

6) Download and Install Dropbox

7) Try to sign into your Dropbox account

All comments

Hannah

Hey @dvorakoa, thanks for joining the Dropbox Community!

This is actually expected, as these files are in what we call an "online-only" state.

This is a feature created to turn files into placeholders, with no physical space on the drive, to basically free up space on your drive.

If you want to open them, you can right/control click on them and choose "make available offline".

Let me know if you have any questions or issues with this.

dvorakoa

Hi Hannah Thank you for your reply.

The 'make available offline' option is not present for these files...now what?

I am using the latest Dropbox version on Mac OS.

Screenshot 2024-03-27 at 06.37.48.png

Also, the files are still taking up space on my system. I just can't use them.

Screenshot 2024-03-27 at 06.43.35.png

Is this a new feature? How can I disable it as it clearly doesn't work.

Anton

Hannah

Hmm, is this a file that's currently in your Dropbox folder?

Because it seems like you don't have any Dropbox options whatsoever in your right-click options.

Is the app syncing files as normal? Meaning, if you add a file to the Dropbox folder, does it sync to your account on dropbox.com and vice versa?

dvorakoa

Hi Hannah

Yes, this is my Dropbox folder. Now that you mention it, the desktop app does not seem to be syncing all the files. This is the first time this has ever happened and I've been using your services for a decade 🤔

I'm getting a new laptop today anyways so will report back if the issue persists. The files are there on Dropbox Online and my mobile device.

Jay

Hi @dvorakoa, keep us posted with any changes or details so we can assist further.

dvorakoa

Hi guys, I changed the default settings to 'Available offline' which seems to have fixed the issue of them not being able to sync/open properly.

Screenshot 2024-03-31 at 07.43.28.png

A small issue i found now is that on my mobile device (new Google Pixel) files are syncing but some images/videos do not have a preview. The files were uploaded at the same time and they're all jpgs. Strange that some are ok and some don't preview at all.

Also, this must be a new feature but what are the different coloured ticks on the folders? I like to keep my Dropbox simple 😅 Screenshot 2024-03-31 at 07.54.20.png

Nancy

Glad to hear the original issue has been solved, @dvorakoa!

When it comes to the previews of your image files on the mobile app, are these files larger than 100 MB or 50 megapixels? If yes, it’s expected that they’re not previewing like the rest.

As for the new syncing icons that you see, can you please go to your app preferences > Sync tab instead, and send me a screenshot of the Dropbox folder’s location you see there?

dvorakoa

No, just simple screenshots. 288kb. For example I took two at the same time, uploaded both, one loaded and the other one has no preview. Very strange but again, not the end of the world. Ghost in the machine haha

Nancy

Hahaha, might be!

Perhaps you can give these steps a go and see if they make any difference (only if you're not on a free Basic plan with more than 3 devices currently linked):

1) Clear the cache on your Dropbox app.

Tap the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner of the screen
Tap the gear icon labeled "Settings" at the bottom of the menu list
Scroll to “Privacy” & select “Clear cache"

2) Uninstall the Dropbox App

3) Sign out from the Play store

4) Restart your device

5) Sign into the Play Store

6) Download and Install Dropbox

7) Try to sign into your Dropbox account