Sync is short for ‘synchronize’, meaning an event that happens in more than one place simultaneously. In tech terms, when you <a href="https://experience.dropbox.com/resources/what-does-sync-mean">sync a device</a>—such as a phone or tablet—with your computer, all of the data from your computer is automatically synced with that device. All your data—such as photos or work files—is available to you on different devices. Syncing allows you to save your data in more than one place, further protecting you from data loss. When you sync data to the cloud, you can also save space on your hard drive by moving folders you don't use regularly to an online repository like Dropbox.

How do I use selective sync on Dropbox?

Selective sync allows you to free up space on your hard drive without deleting anything from your Dropbox account. To use selective sync, you’ll need to turn on the feature from the <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/install">Dropbox app</a> on your Windows or Mac computer. Once selective sync is enabled, you can choose which folders to keep off your computer. Those same folders will stay in your account on dropbox.com.

Fast, secure, and easy file syncing

Fast syncing that saves you storage space—and makes your files and folders more accessible across devices.

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A collection of files and folders being synced to the cloud

Sync files across devices and platforms

It’s easy to make your files accessible on your daily commute to work or on vacation. Save a file to the Dropbox folder on your computer, and it will synchronize automatically to your mobile device. In a recent study,* Dropbox outperformed competitors in 86% of comparisons of file syncing, uploading, and downloading. Cloud file sync is available on multiple devices and platforms, from Windows and Mac to mobile devices like iPhone, iPad and Android via the Dropbox mobile app.

Newly saved or updated files are automatically synced everywhere, so you don’t have to spend time emailing the latest versions to collaborators. Look for the green checkmark next to your files to be reassured that your content is completely synced.

*Based on a 2023 Principled Technologies study, commissioned by Dropbox.

Use Dropbox on the go

Files synced in the cloud across mobile and desktop

File sync is always in your control

Update something too soon and don’t want to keep the changes? No worries—all is not lost.

Dropbox backs up earlier versions of your files for up to 30 days—or as many as 180 days for users on Dropbox team plans—so you can always recover an earlier version of your file sync. You can quickly and easily restore any version of your file to its original state.

Back up your files

A user clicking the restore button to retrieve a deleted file

Get offline access on all your devices

The Dropbox desktop app makes it easy to access your files and folders even when you don't have an internet connection. Once you're back online, Dropbox will automatically update your folders and files with all the changes you made while offline.

You can also select specific files to view and edit even when you are not connected to the internet on your iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone. This way, you'll never be without access to your important files, even when you're away from the internet.

Work remotely and offline

Save space

Dropbox helps you to free up precious hard drive space by sending files to online-only storage in the cloud. Even when your files and folders are synced to and stored in the cloud, you’ll still be able to view them from your desktop.

And when you want to access them, the files will sync automatically to your hard drive—but only when you need it. With Dropbox, you can easily access your files anytime, from any device, and you don't have to worry about manually downloading and uploading files.

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Frequently asked questions

Sync is short for ‘synchronize’, meaning an event that happens in more than one place simultaneously. In tech terms, when you sync a device—such as a phone or tablet—with your computer, all of the data from your computer is automatically synced with that device.

All your data—such as photos or work files—is available to you on different devices. Syncing allows you to save your data in more than one place, further protecting you from data loss. When you sync data to the cloud, you can also save space on your hard drive by moving folders you don't use regularly to an online repository like Dropbox.

When you make files available online-only, you save space on your hard drive by storing them in the cloud. You can still see and access everything in your Dropbox account on your desktop without taking up space on your computer’s hard drive.

You can sync Dropbox files and folders across devices with the Dropbox app. Sign in to your Dropbox account on each device, then add your files and folders to the Dropbox folder on your computer, phone, or tablet. The latest version of all your files and folders will be available across every device.

Selective sync allows you to free up space on your hard drive without deleting anything from your Dropbox account. To use selective sync, you’ll need to turn on the feature from the Dropbox app on your Windows or Mac computer.

Once selective sync is enabled, you can choose which folders to keep off your computer. Those same folders will stay in your account on dropbox.com.