How to Make Dropbox Files Online-Only: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dropbox is a popular cloud storage platform used by millions worldwide. It allows users to store, share, and access their files from anywhere. One of the standout features of Dropbox is the ability to make files online-only, saving valuable storage space on your device. This article will guide you through the step-by-step process of making Dropbox files online-only, answering all your questions along the way.

What does it mean to make files online-only on Dropbox?

Making files online-only means that the files are stored in the Dropbox cloud and do not take up any space on your device. These files are still accessible, but you need an internet connection to download or edit them. Step 1: Open Dropbox on your device and sign in to your account. To make files online-only, you need to ensure you have the Dropbox app installed on your device. Open the app and sign in to your account using your username and password. Step 2: Locate the file you want to make online-only. Browse through your Dropbox folders to locate the file you wish to make online-only. Once you find it, select it by tapping on it.

Can I make multiple files online-only at once?

Yes, you can select multiple files and make them all online-only simultaneously. Step 3: Invoke the 'Make available offline' option. After selecting the file(s), tap the three dots (ellipsis icon) on the top-right corner of the screen. This will bring up a context menu where you need to select the 'Make available offline' option. The file will now be downloaded to your device for offline access. Step 4: Convert the file to online-only. To make the file online-only again, tap on it to bring up the file options menu. This time, choose the 'Make online-only' option. The file will no longer be stored on your device, only in the cloud.

Is it possible to make a folder online-only?

Dropbox does not have a built-in folder-level online-only feature, but you can achieve a similar result by following these steps for each file inside the folder. Step 5: Accessing online-only files. To access online-only files, you need an active internet connection. Open the Dropbox app and navigate to the file or folder you wish to access. Tap on the online-only file, and it will be downloaded to your device temporarily.

Can I revert files back to local storage anytime?

Yes, you can always revert files back to local storage by following Step 3 and choosing the 'Make available offline' option. Step 6: Managing online-only files. By default, Dropbox will manage your online-only files intelligently. If your device is running low on storage, Dropbox will automatically convert less used files to online-only to free up space. However, you can manually convert them back to online-only at any time using Step 4. Making Dropbox files online-only is a terrific way to optimize your device's storage while ensuring you can access your important files whenever needed. By following this step-by-step guide, you can effortlessly harness this feature and maximize your Dropbox experience. Start making your files online-only today and enjoy a clutter-free device without compromising accessibility.