You can sync files in three quick steps: Download the Dropbox app on your computer and on your phone or tablet. Sign in to each of those devices with the same email address and password. Add files from any device to the Dropbox apps or to dropbox.com. Mar 18, 2021 To sync folder outside Dropbox folder, the simplest way is to copy and paste the folder you want to sync to Dropbox folder. After that, you can create a symbolic link so that you can see folder at its original location. Also, if you are using Plus, Professional or Business plan, Smart Sync is a great choice. I didn't want to sync the files on my desktop to my account, I just wanted to be able to access the files I had on my phone on my desktop. To solve this issues would i need to click 'don't sync to Dropbox.com' option on the things I have on my desktop, then uninstall dropbox and install it again only to choose the 'online only files. If you want to stop syncing a folder without removing its synced contents from Dropbox or you want to delete a synced folder from your computer while keeping its previously-synced contents in your Dropbox account, the following instructions should help you achieve that. Dropbox doesn't (and can't) sync the items on your Desktop on its own. It will only sync the items located within the local Dropbox folder on your hard drive. There have been work-arounds and other third-party utilities that allowed you to sync folders outside of Dropbox, but they are not supported.
Dropbox makes sure that you have the files you need when you need them. Sync, one of the core Dropbox features, keeps your files up-to-date across your computers, phones, and tablet. If you edit a document on your computer, it syncs with Dropbox and you can access the new version from your phone.
To sync across your computers, phones, and tablets:
- Install the Dropbox app on all computers, phones, and tablets you want to sync with.
- Sign in to the same Dropbox account on each computer, phone, and tablet.
- Add files into your Dropbox folder. As long as a file is in your Dropbox folder, it syncs to all your connected computers, phones, and tablets.
Your devices are like windows into your Dropbox account. Once you sign in, you have access to your Dropbox files, no matter where you are.
Sync files from a computer
The Dropbox app on your computer syncs changes from your computer to all connected devices. Any files you add to the Dropbox folder on your computer sync with your Dropbox account.
Can Dropbox sync files that are outside of the Dropbox folder?
Dropbox only syncs the files that are in your Dropbox folder.
After moving a file or folder into Dropbox, you can create a shortcut in the original location to access the files from there. However, this doesn't work the other way around. Creating a shortcut in your Dropbox folder to access files in their original location isn't supported by Dropbox.
Sync files from a phone or tablet
The mobile app shows you the most recent files in your Dropbox. This list of files syncs with your Dropbox account.
You can download a file on-demand to save data, battery, and space on your phone or tablet. Tap a file to download and view the file on your phone or tablet.
To download a file, you need access to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. If you need your files when a network isn't available, make your important files available offline.
Syncing over Wi-Fi and cellular networks
The mobile app syncs based on the type of network your phone or tablet is connected to.
On a Wi-Fi network, the mobile app:
- Automatically downloads updates when you launch the app, open a file, and open the Offline files tab.
- Camera upload starts or resumes whenever you launch the app.
On a cellular network, the mobile app:
- Only downloads updates on demand.
- On Android devices, offline files displays an alert icon when they were modified while you were offline. To sync the latest version, tap Update all in the Offline files tab.
- Camera upload doesn't automatically start or resume unless the Use Cellular Data option is set to On.
With Dropbox, you can access the same version of a file on any computer, phone, or tablet that you've linked to your account. We call this 'sync,' and it's core to what Dropbox does. With sync, the latest versions of files are always available on all your devices.
You can sync files in three quick steps:
- Download the Dropbox app on your computer and on your phone or tablet.
- Sign in to each of those devices with the same email address and password.
- Add files from any device to the Dropbox apps or to dropbox.com.
If you've already installed Dropbox, simply add files to the Dropbox folder to automatically sync the files to Dropbox. If you're syncing your account for the very first time, it may take a few minutes to complete. Once the process finishes, you'll find your files in the Dropbox app on each device connected to your account.
Important things to know about sync
Use the same Dropbox account on all your devices
You can download a file on-demand to save data, battery, and space on your phone or tablet. Tap a file to download and view the file on your phone or tablet.
To download a file, you need access to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. If you need your files when a network isn't available, make your important files available offline.
Syncing over Wi-Fi and cellular networks
The mobile app syncs based on the type of network your phone or tablet is connected to.
On a Wi-Fi network, the mobile app:
- Automatically downloads updates when you launch the app, open a file, and open the Offline files tab.
- Camera upload starts or resumes whenever you launch the app.
On a cellular network, the mobile app:
- Only downloads updates on demand.
- On Android devices, offline files displays an alert icon when they were modified while you were offline. To sync the latest version, tap Update all in the Offline files tab.
- Camera upload doesn't automatically start or resume unless the Use Cellular Data option is set to On.
With Dropbox, you can access the same version of a file on any computer, phone, or tablet that you've linked to your account. We call this 'sync,' and it's core to what Dropbox does. With sync, the latest versions of files are always available on all your devices.
You can sync files in three quick steps:
- Download the Dropbox app on your computer and on your phone or tablet.
- Sign in to each of those devices with the same email address and password.
- Add files from any device to the Dropbox apps or to dropbox.com.
If you've already installed Dropbox, simply add files to the Dropbox folder to automatically sync the files to Dropbox. If you're syncing your account for the very first time, it may take a few minutes to complete. Once the process finishes, you'll find your files in the Dropbox app on each device connected to your account.
Important things to know about sync
Use the same Dropbox account on all your devices
When installing Dropbox, you'll be prompted to either sign in or create a new account. You only need one account no matter how many devices you want to keep in sync. In order for files to sync, you must sign in using the same email address and password on each device you'd like to link to your Dropbox account.
The 'Dropbox' folder on your computer's hard drive
If you install Dropbox on your computer, you'll see a Dropbox folder on your hard drive. This folder works just like any other folder on your computer, but with one important difference: files in this folder sync to Dropbox, and files in Dropbox are accessible through this folder.
No manual uploading or downloading is required
The Dropbox service monitors the Dropbox folder on your computer and the Dropbox mobile apps. If there's a change—a new file or folder, or an edit to an existing file or folder—Dropbox will automatically sync those changes. No manual uploading is downloading is required. This means that sync happens automatically, as long as you have an active internet connection, you have the Dropbox desktop app installed, and you're signed in.
If you're offline, files will sync as soon as the device is online again
Computers, phones, and tablets that aren't connected to the internet won't sync to Dropbox. However, a device that's offline will automatically receive file changes from Dropbox as soon as it's online again. And file changes made on an offline device will sync back to Dropbox as soon as the device is online again.
And don't worry about shutting down Dropbox while a sync is in progress. It will simply resume where it left off once Dropbox is running again.
Dropbox syncs in order by file size
Dropbox prioritizes syncing (or uploads) by file size, starting first with folders and the smallest files in them. This way, you don't have to worry about your smaller files getting stuck behind larger ones when syncing.
Dropbox can't sync files that are outside of the Dropbox folder
Dropbox can only sync the files that are in the Dropbox folder, or in the Dropbox mobile apps. After moving a file or folder into Dropbox, you can create a shortcut in the original location to access the files from there. However, this doesn't work the other way around. Creating a shortcut in your Dropbox folder to access files in their original location isn't supported by Dropbox.
Syncing over Wi-Fi and cellular networks
How To Sync Dropbox Desktop
The mobile app syncs based on the type of network your phone or tablet is connected to.
On a Wi-Fi network:
- The mobile app automatically downloads updates when you launch the app, open a file, and open the Offline files tab
- Camera uploads start or resume whenever you launch the app
On a cellular network:
Dropbox Desktop Sync Folder
- Only downloads update automatically
- On Android devices, offline files display an alert icon if they were modified while you were offline. These files then need to be manually synced. To sync the latest version, tap Update all in the Offline files tab.
- Camera uploads don't automatically start or resume unless the Use Cellular Data option is set to On.
Dropbox Sync Desktop Folder Software
If you need your files when a network isn't available, make your important files available offline.
