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Gayle1402's avatar
Gayle1402
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago

Selective Sync versus Smart Sync configuration

I feel that something simple is doing my head in. Sorry in advance for what is probably a dumb question.

I've just migrated my system to a new Mac Mini. So far, so good. All documents in the DB folder are there and working.

Now, I want to save HDD space so all documents, shared folders, the whole thing, I want to be online.

So I want to Smart Sync.

Do I have to now, folder, by folder, right click and choose "Online Only"?

I went into Preferences > Sync and I can see "Start as Local and Start as Online Only". I assume this means all new files will be automatically online the minute I hit save, right?

But Selective Sync... what do I do with that? Should they all be ticked or should they all be unticked for my purposes? 

As I say it should be easy but I think my brain is in a circular sync at the moment!

Thanks in advance!

Sync
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    7 years ago
    No worries, Gayle, I can help clarify this for you!
     
    Firstly, with selective sync, make sure all folders are ticked. This means that literally every folder will sync to your machine.
     
    If they were unticked, there would be no sign of the folders on your machine, and they would be ‘unsynced’.
     
    The ‘start as online-only’ applies for all new files, so make sure that is selected.
     
    However, for the existing files on the machine, you do as you said, right click the folders, Smart Sync, and choose Online-only.
     
    When all your files have the gray cloud icon, you’ll know that it’s working!
     
    Let me know if you need any further assistance. :)
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    No worries, Gayle, I can help clarify this for you!
     
    Firstly, with selective sync, make sure all folders are ticked. This means that literally every folder will sync to your machine.
     
    If they were unticked, there would be no sign of the folders on your machine, and they would be ‘unsynced’.
     
    The ‘start as online-only’ applies for all new files, so make sure that is selected.
     
    However, for the existing files on the machine, you do as you said, right click the folders, Smart Sync, and choose Online-only.
     
    When all your files have the gray cloud icon, you’ll know that it’s working!
     
    Let me know if you need any further assistance. :)
    • Gayle1402's avatar
      Gayle1402
      Helpful | Level 5
      7 years ago

      Wonderful. Thank you so much for clarifying. Really appreciate it! :grinning:

    • marliesP's avatar
      marliesP
      New member | Level 2
      7 years ago

      Dear Jay, 

      Quick question about this. 

      Where should ik see the 'smart sync' options when trying to smart sync the excisting select. synced folders? In Finder (for mac) or only on the online version? 

      Thanks 

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        7 years ago
        You’ll only see the options for Smart Sync in Finder, since each setting is specific to the machine. 
         
        Therefore, you could have all files online-only on a MacBook since there might not be enough space, but on another Mac you could have all files as local, since they have plenty of space.

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