How to pause and resume file syncing
If your Dropbox files are syncing, it means that they’re being kept up to date in all the places you access your Dropbox files.
For example, if you change a file on the Dropbox mobile app, you’ll be able to see this change when you access the same file on dropbox.com, the Dropbox mobile app, and the Dropbox folder on your computer.
Learn how to sync your files with Dropbox.
You can pause syncing for 30 minutes, 1 hour, Until tomorrow, or Indefinitely. When syncing is paused, changes to your files won’t automatically update in the Dropbox folder on your computer.
How to pause syncing
Note: You can’t pause syncing from dropbox.com or the Dropbox mobile app.
To temporarily stop syncing your Dropbox files:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your notification center (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Click the text at the bottom of the window that appears. It describes the sync status and has a down arrow next to it. A list will appear with options to pause syncing for 30 minutes, 1 hour, Until tomorrow, or Indefinitely.
- Click to select how long you’d like to pause syncing for. You’ll see a message with the time syncing will resume.
Note: While syncing is paused, you may still receive notifications on changes made to your files. However, the changes won’t be reflected in the Dropbox folder on your computer.
How to resume syncing
If you choose to pause syncing for 30 minutes, 1 hour, or Until tomorrow, syncing will automatically resume after the allotted time. However, you can also resume syncing manually by following the instructions below.
To resume syncing your Dropbox files:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your notification center (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Click the text at the bottom of the window that appears. It describes the sync status or tells you the time that files are due to start syncing again.
- For example, File sync and backups paused until 3:22 PM.
3. Click Resume.
FAQs about pausing sync
What does syncing mean?
If you make changes to your Dropbox files, Dropbox syncs those changes between your computer and everywhere you access your files in Dropbox. This means that all changes you make to a file or folder are automatically updated on dropbox.com, the Dropbox folder on your computer, the Dropbox mobile app, and other devices you sign in to with your Dropbox account.
What are the benefits to pausing syncing?
There might be times you want to defer syncing to a later time. For example, when you don’t want to sync large files due to limited Wi-Fi bandwidth. In times like these, you can use pause syncing to postpone syncing to a time that suits you.
How do I know if syncing is paused?
While syncing is paused, a pause button will appear on the Dropbox icon in your notification center (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). Learn more about sync icons on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Does pausing syncing free up storage space on my computer’s hard drive?
When syncing is paused, you can add files to your folders on dropbox.com and the mobile app, but these new files won’t take up any space on your computer’s hard drive. Files that are already on your hard drive won’t be removed.
If your priority is to free up hard drive space, Dropbox has some options built for exactly that.
Learn how Dropbox can help you save storage space on your computer’s hard drive.
What happens when syncing is paused?
When syncing is paused, changes to your files or folders on dropbox.com or the Dropbox mobile app won’t be reflected in the Dropbox folder on your computer until syncing is resumed. Similarly, changes to your files from the Dropbox folder on your computer won’t show on dropbox.com or the Dropbox mobile app until syncing is resumed.
Notes:
- If you pause syncing and then make changes to a shared folder, these changes won’t be reflected to other users.
- If you have multiple accounts connected to your computer and you pause syncing for one account, this will also pause syncing for other Dropbox accounts you’re logged into.
What happens when syncing is resumed?
When you resume syncing, any changes that were made to your files and folders will be reflected everywhere you access your files in Dropbox.
Note: You can choose to prioritize certain files to be synced first.
Can I stop syncing specific folders?
Yes, you can use selective sync to stop syncing specific folders to the Dropbox folder on your computer. This will save you storage space on your hard drive, as these folders will only be synced on dropbox.com and the Dropbox mobile app. Learn more about selective sync.
You can also tell Dropbox to ignore certain files.
Can I stop syncing all files permanently?
Yes. When you pause syncing, you can choose to pause sync Indefinitely. This won’t remove any files that have already been synced.
Can I undo syncing?
There’s no way to undo a particular syncing event. However, you can also use version history to restore past versions of files.
If you’re on a paid Dropbox plan, you can use Dropbox Rewind to revert a folder to a past version.
