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Forum Discussion
Dropbox is filling my Mac's hard drive with clone files.
Hi! I have a 1tb hard drive, and just added 600gb of files to a local folder that dropbox is set to sync to.
Since then, Dropbox has created an extra 500gb worth of "clone files" in a root mount, group containers folder. My hard drive is now completely full and I'm unable to back up my original files.
Are these dropbox clone files just temporary? Can I only back up files to the cloud if I have more than twice the amount of local drive space available?
- Nancy
Dropbox Staff
Hi from me too, SpencerEditor! Can you please check the syncing status of your Dropbox app and let me know how many files are left till it’s done syncing?
Sure! It says I have 97 files (360gb) left to sync
- Nancy
Thanks for that! To have a clearer image of the issue, I’d suggest letting the app finish its syncing first.
However, since you mentioned you’re running low on hard drive space, does the Dropbox app seem to be making any progress with the syncing or is it stuck?
- Rich
Super User II
Dropbox has created an extra 500gb worth of "clone files" in a root mount, group containers folder.
Not sure what you mean by clone files, or the location you're referring to. Can you provide any screenshots showing the issue? Be sure to mask any private information.
Sure, here is the screenshot. As you can see, my actual files are in the "cloud storage" folder. Yet there is another "group containers" structure, where a "file clones" folder is steadily increasing, even now.
I'm assuming they're temporary files (as my files are still being synced) but I'm just not sure why it's necessary and what I can do about it.
