[Solved] How to Prevent Dropbox from Storing Locally?

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• Introduction
• Why Consider Online-Only Access?
• Understanding Dropbox Storage
• [2 Options] How to Prevent Dropbox from Storing Locally?
• Potential Workaround for Offline Access
• Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever had the feeling that the storage on your computer is running out faster than a July snowman melting? If you utilize Dropbox, it's possible that your files' local storage is the problem. Although it's great to have files easily accessible on your smartphone, doing so might quickly eat up valuable storage space.

But fear not, fellow data warrior! There's a solution: online-only access. This nifty feature allows you to access your Dropbox files directly from the cloud, freeing up significant local storage space on your computer.

Why Consider Online-Only Access?

Imagine your hard drive as a cluttered desk. Local storage with Dropbox is like keeping every document you ever created physically on that desk. Online-only access, on the other hand, is like filing those documents electronically, readily accessible when needed, but not occupying physical space.

The benefits are clear:

• Free Up Space: Reclaim valuable disk space on your computer for other important files and applications.
• Improved Performance: A less cluttered hard drive can lead to a smoother overall computer experience.
• Accessibility Across Devices: Access your files from any device with an internet connection, regardless of whether you have Dropbox installed locally.

Understanding Dropbox Storage

Before diving into online-only access, let's understand how Dropbox storage works:

• Local Storage: This refers to files physically stored on your computer's hard drive. When you install Dropbox, it creates a designated folder where it downloads and stores copies of your Dropbox files.
• Cloud Storage: This refers to the vast online storage space provided by Dropbox servers. Your files are uploaded and securely stored in the cloud, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

[2 Options] How to Prevent Dropbox from Storing Locally?

There are 2 main options to prevent files from storing locally on your device and keep them in the cloud only:

Option 1. Enabling Online-Only Access on Desktop

Dropbox offers a feature called Selective Sync that allows you to choose which folders are stored locally on your device and which ones are only accessible online. This can be helpful for saving disk space. Here's how to use Selective Sync:

Step 1. Access Dropbox Settings: Right-click the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and click on "Preferences".

Step 2. Navigate to Sync Tab: Within Preferences, click on the "Sync" tab.

Step 3. Enable Selective Sync: Depending on your Dropbox version, you might see "Selective Sync" or "Select folders to sync to this computer" option. Click on it.

Step 4. Choose Folders to Keep Locally: A list of your Dropbox folders will be displayed. Uncheck the boxes for folders you don't want to store locally. These folders will still be accessible online through the Dropbox website or app.

Step 5. Confirm Changes: Click "Update" (Windows) or "Save" (Mac) to apply your selections.

By following these steps, you can prevent Dropbox from storing unwanted files locally and free up disk space on your device.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Dropbox Smart Sync (For Paid Plans): If you have a Dropbox Plus, Professional, or Business plan, you might see an option called "Smart Sync". This feature can automatically make files online-only if you haven't accessed them in a while, further saving space.
• Making Files Online-Only Directly: You can also make individual files online-only directly from the Dropbox folder on your computer. Right-click on the file and choose "Make online-only".

Option 2. Enabling Online-Only Access on Mobile App

The process for online-only access is similar on the Dropbox mobile app:

Step 1. Navigate the Dropbox Mobile App: Open the Dropbox app on your phone or tablet.

Step 2. Setting Individual Files/Folders to Online-Only: Locate the file or folder you want to make online-only. Tap the three dots next to the file/folder name and select "Make available offline". Toggle the switch to "Off".

Remember, these changes affect only the device you're using. You'll need to repeat the process for each device where you want to prevent Dropbox from storing locally.

Important Considerations After Enabling Online-Only Access

Before fully embracing online-only access, consider these factors:

• Accessing Files Offline: You won't be able to access online-only files without an internet connection. Download individual files for offline use if needed.

• Syncing Speed and Internet Connectivity: Online-only access relies on your internet connection for file access and syncing. Slower internet speeds may lead to delays in accessing files.

Potential Workaround for Offline Access

While online-only access offers significant storage benefits, there are situations where offline access is still crucial. If you need occasional offline access to specific files, you can manually download them from the Dropbox website or mobile app. There is an excellent tool --- MultCloud, that can help you download your Dropbox files to your device at any time. Let's use this tool to download Dropbox files now!

Step 1. Sign up for an account with your email address and sign in it.

Step 2. Tab "Add Cloud", find the Dropbox icon and click, then connect your Dropbox account according to the prompts.

Step 3. Enter Dropbox and find the file you want to save locally, then choose and download it.

In addition, you can also use MultCloud to easily transfer, synchronize or backup data between multiple cloud accounts. Compared with traditional methods, this tool allows you to automatically complete cloud data migration without manual downloading.

• ✨Cloud Transfer: Scheduled Dropbox to pCloud and iCloud Photos to Dropbox migration.
• ✨Team Transfer: Seamless sub-account data migration between different enterprise services.
• ✨Cloud Sync: Real-time iCloud to Dropbox sync or other sync tasks.
• ✨Cloud Backup: Backup Google Photos to Dropbox or other clouds for data recovery.
• ✨Email Migration: Easily save emails to a flash drive or cloud account.
• ✨Remote Upload: Direct cloud torrenting without installing any parsing tool.

Conclusion

If you enable online-only access, Dropbox can be converted from a storage hog to a cloud storage solution that saves space. This technique improves overall performance, frees up valuable disk space on your gadget, and enables you to view your data from any internet-connected place. Always balance the advantages with any potential disadvantages, such as the requirement for an internet connection for access and any syncing delays. A little preparation and the above-mentioned workaround will help you achieve the ideal ratio of storage efficiency to convenience.