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Selective sync on Android

Hi,

I appear unable to do this on an Android device or phone, I have personal files on my Desktop that I do not want to be shown at all on an Android device, but when downloading the app and logging in all the files are displayed.

I see this has been requested since 2015 through to 2020 but don't see a suitable solution.

Anyone advise a way around it?

Thanks

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Accepted answers

Rich

@Cinbor wrote:
I appear unable to do [Selective sync] on an Android device or phone ...

Selective Sync is a feature of the Dropbox desktop application, meant to remove the local copy of a folder from your hard drive to save space. The mobile version of Dropbox doesn't sync all of your files like the desktop app does; it only displays what's in your account so you can upload or download files as needed. Since it doesn't sync files, there's no need for Selective Sync on mobile devices.

Currently there's no way to prevent certain files or folders from displaying in the mobile apps.

All comments

Rich

@Cinbor wrote:
I appear unable to do [Selective sync] on an Android device or phone ...

Currently there's no way to prevent certain files or folders from displaying in the mobile apps.

Cinbor

Hi Rich,

Thank you for the reply,

That is what I thought but doesn't help when I don't want another user with an Android device seeing what private files I have on my own desktop, also if they click it, it will then open / download for them to view, not ideal!

I would have thought the developers would have addressed this by now.

Cheers.

Rich

@Cinbor wrote:
I don't want another user with an Android device seeing what private files I have on my own desktop ... I would have thought the developers would have addressed this by now.

Why would another user have access to your account on a device other than your own? Dropbox accounts are intended for individuals, so no one else should be signing in to your account.

If this is happening when you hand your device to someone to use, you can set a PIN on the Dropbox app so it can't be opened without entering the PIN.

Cinbor

Really, I pay my subs so surely I can use it how I please.

Example I have everything on my desktop, I let a family member use an android tablet to view family photos via Dropbox that are on my desktop. The family member (child) may take it round to a friends houses, so do I want all the desktop folders displaying? some marked personel or private that can be clicked on and viewed? may have my bank details, passwords, or pictures of my girlfriend in the buff! that would be available for the child or anyone else to see, I think not.

I can let the same child use another desktop, with selective folders only displayed, it's not beyond the realms of seeing why this wouldn't be a useful feature on an android device.

Thanks for your input

Nancy

Hey @Cinbor, I hope you don’t mind me jumping in.

If you’d like to have some files/folders hidden and you’re on a paid plan, you could perhaps use Dropbox Vault and move them in there, so that only someone with the PIN you’ve set can access them.

If you have further questions on the feature though, give me a nudge.

Cinbor

Hi Nancy,

That sounds feasible, I will have a look into that option after work.

Thank you for the reply.

Nancy

No worries at all!

You can check this whenever you have some free time.

mike2567

The responses to this question apparently misunderstand the full issue. The issue isn't mainly storage, it's privacy. I want employees to have mobile access to most business folders but not to my personal folders (tax returns, other private stuff). Also certain business information (like personnel or wage information) needs to be private. If all files and folders are visible and downloadable to mobile phones there's no more confidentiality. We use selective sync on their office computers but apparently it can't be done on Android phones. Nor iPhones. I suppose I could pay for multiple Dropbox accounts but then that's not as convenient for the computers. <Groan!>

Jay

Hi @mike2567, we appreciate the feedback on this matter. In general, if you have private files on your Dropbox account, and someone has access to a device of yours, then they can access anything on your account. Even with selective sync, if people know where to look, they can easily re-enable those folders to sync again.

It isn't possible to prevent access to your own files on any of your devices, as that would defeat the point of syncing files. As noted, Dropbox Vault might be a good suggestion to keep some files hidden. An entirely separate account that isn't connected to any of your business accounts, or even placing a password on sensitive documents could help.

Cinbor

Hi Mike,

Exactly same situation as you, the only work around is to use the Vault, it's annoying because you have to wait for it to download the files everytime you access it and then if you forget and keep those files open longer than the allocated time of 20 minutes it has a meltdown and takes some time to correct itself. It's a shame they can't make the Android system function the same as it does on a Windows PC.

Yes agree people could 'with selective sync, if people know where to look, they can easily re-enable those folders to sync again' but in mine and probably Mike's situation this would be unlikely.

Kind regards

Rob