Manage team selective sync settings

When a Dropbox business team member is added to a team folder or team space, all folders shared with them automatically sync to their computer’s hard drive. However, admins can set specific folders not to automatically sync using team selective sync.

Learn more about how the selective sync feature works.

In addition to using selective sync, admins can also manage online-only settings for their team to determine which files or folders will sync to team members’ computers and which will only be available for team members connected to the internet.

Set specific folders not to sync

By default, all folders shared with team members automatically sync to team members’ computers when they join the team. However, admins can set specific folders to not sync automatically with team selective sync. 

Notes: 

• Admins can only use this feature for top-level folders and their first subfolder.
• This admin setting doesn’t unsync folders that are already synced to team members’ computers, it only keeps folders from automatically syncing to new team members’ computers. 
• Individual team members’ selective sync settings override the admin setting. 
  • The admin setting doesn’t block team members from syncing and unsyncing folders from their computers on their own.
• A folder that’s set not to sync (and any folder inside of it) can’t be synced to team members’ computers.

To set specific folders not to sync:

1. Sign in to dropbox.com with your admin credentials.
2. Click Admin console in the left sidebar.
3. Click Content.
4. Click "…" (ellipsis) next to any folder.
5. Click Change sync default.
   • Note: If you’ve disabled team selective sync, enable it to see this option.
6. Click the circle next to Don’t sync automatically to set the folder not to sync automatically to new team members’ computers. 

To set the folder to automatically sync, follow the instructions above, but click the circle next to Automatically sync to members’ computers instead.

To set a new team folder not to automatically sync to team member’s computers:

1. Click Create team folder like you would normally create a new team folder.
2. Uncheck the box next to Automatically sync this folder to members’ computers.

Disable team selective sync

Team selective sync is enabled by default. It lets admins set specific folder not to sync automatically to team members’ computers. If team selective sync is disabled, all folders automatically sync to team members' computers, and the admin doesn’t have the option to set specific folders not to sync. 

To disable team selective sync:

1. Sign in to dropbox.com with your admin credentials.
2. Click Admin console.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Sync.
5. Next to Team Selective Sync, toggle to Disable.
6. Click Save.