To use Dropbox application, no matter your local device is, desktop, laptop, notebook, ipad (Dropbox one way sync Mac) or phone (Dropbox Android one way sync), you have to first of all download and install the App on the device. The following will take Dropbox desktop App for example.
- I have a sync issue. The next clock icon appears in the message 'Syncing dropbox 86.4.146'. This message goes on for a long time, then goes offline and reopens this message. I tried to uninstall dropbox and reinstall it when you perform an installation. The message identifying Internet connection appears and it stays that way for a long time.
- Dropbox isn't the only cloud-based storage and syncing service for the Mac, but it's currently one of the most popular. It does have some pretty stiff competition, though, including Microsoft's SkyDrive, Google's Google Drive, Box.net, and SugarSync. As a Mac user, you also can use Apple’s own cloud service, iCloud. It's a very handy, easy-to.
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.
![Sync dropbox files to computer Sync dropbox files to computer](/uploads/1/1/9/8/119877376/528025169.png)
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.
Dropbox For Mac Sync App
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
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/1/9/8/119877376/227050999.jpg)
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
Sync Dropbox Files To Computer
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
Dropbox Sync For Mac
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:
- 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.
If you need your files when a network isn’t available, make your important files available offline.