Share a folder only online and not have it synced on the desktop.

Question

I am sharing a folder with the owner of the folder. I would like to share it only online, without downloading it on my computer (in order to save storage space on my computer). I read somewhere that I should click on the folder with the right mouse and select "online only", but by doing so I am not given this option. Does this happen because I am not the owner of the folder?

Thank you.

Megan · Answer

Hi @Kirkman, you'd need to follow the steps inside your Dropbox folder.

However, you'd need to keep in mind that as the Help Center article notes: Dropbox Basic users can’t make files online-only unless they’ve updated to the latest version of Dropbox for macOS on File Provider. The system requirements for using online-only files are:
Windows: 7 and higher.
Mac: OS 10.12 and higher.

If you’re on Dropbox Basic and you’d like to save storage space on your device, you can use selective sync. Can you give it a go?

Kirkman · Answer

Hi Megan. Thank you for your message.

I had already read the file you were referring to. It says:

Open the Dropbox Folder;

Go to the folder that you went to set as "online only";

Clic on the folder with the right mouse;

Clic on "Make it online only".

My question is: should I open the Dropbox folder that is present on my computer (while I am online, of course), or should I access the Dropbox site?

I tried both ways, but in both cases when I clic on the folder with the right mouse I don't see the option ""Make it online only".

Megan · Answer

Hi @Kirkman, let's jump right into this!

If I understand this right, you wish to have your folder only available when you visit your account on the web, and not locally on your desktop app, is this right? Provided that you mean something different, feel free to clarify.

Do you follow these steps inside your Dropbox folder, and not online? If so, please send me a screenshot, in order for me to have a visual too.

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!