We are aware of the issue with the badge emails resending to everyone, we apologise for the inconvenience - learn more here.
Forum Discussion
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
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.
- Rich
Super User II
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.
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!>
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
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.
