How to check if your files and folders are syncing

The Dropbox desktop app needs to update (or "sync") whenever you add or update files in your Dropbox account.

This article explains how to:

• Check if your files are syncing.
• Check the sync status of your files and folders.
• Change the order your files are syncing in.

You can also learn how to pause and resume syncing.

Not using Dropbox yet? See how Dropbox makes syncing files easy.

How to check if your files and folders are syncing

To check the sync status of all files and folders:

1. Click the Dropbox icon in your notification center (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. The sync status will display at the bottom of the window that appears. You may see:
   • Indexing: This status means your files and folders are preparing to sync with your Dropbox account. While in this state, changes to files and folders won’t be reflected.
   • Syncing [file name]: This status indicates that a specific file is syncing with your Dropbox account.
   • Syncing [x] files: This status indicates that a specific number of files are syncing with your Dropbox account.
   • Syncing paused until [x]: This status indicates that you have paused syncing. Syncing can be paused for 30 minutes, 1 hour, Until tomorrow, or Indefinitely. The status will show the timestamp of when the pause expires.
   • Your files are up to date: This status indicates that your files have synced to your Dropbox account and are current.

Note: Dropbox Backup users will see slightly different wording on some sync statuses.

How to check the sync status of a specific file or folder

To check the sync status of a specific file or folder:

1. Open the Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
2. Locate the file or folder you'd like to check.
   • Note: You can use the search bar in the top right to find the file or folder.
3. Look at the sync icon next to the file or folder. Learn about the different sync icons and what they mean.

How to change the order your files and folders sync in

1. Click the Dropbox icon in your notification center (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click the Sync history tab near the top.
   • Dropbox Backup users will see Sync and backups instead.
3. If files and folders are syncing, they’ll show in the order they’ll sync next.
4. Hover over the file you’d like to prioritize.
5. Click Sync next.