How to sync only certain folders on Dropbox?

If you have problems with syncing only certain folders on Dropbox, don’t be in a panic, there are some solutions for you listed below.

Sync Certain Folders with Dropbox Selective Sync

Dropbox Selective Sync feature is available for all Dropbox users, including Dropbox Basic plan, Plus, Family, Professional, and Enterprises, to sync only certain folders to the computer. With Dropbox Selective Sync, you could unselect the folders you want to remove from the computer to free up space and make Dropbox sync only certain folders to the computer. All files and folders are still stored on dropbox.com.

Here is how to use Dropbox selective sync to sync only certain folders.

Dropbox Sync Certain Folders On Windows

1. Install the Dropbox desktop app and log in to your Dropbox account.

2. Tap the Dropbox icon in the system tray.

3. Click the Gear icon at the top right corner, then select Preferences.

4. Select the Sync tab, then press the Selective Sync ... button.

5. Unselect the folders you want to remove from your computer hard drive to change Dropbox sync folders, and click Update.

6. Then click Update again to let Dropbox sync only the selected folders to your computer.

Make Dropbox Only Sync Certain Folders On Mac

1. Install the Dropbox desktop app on Mac and log in to your Dropbox account.

2. Tap the Dropbox icon in the menu bar.

3. Click the Gear icon at the top right corner, then select Preferences.

4. Select the Sync tab, then press Choose Folders button under the Selective Sync section.

5. Unselect the folders you want to remove from your computer hard drive, and click Update.

6. Then click Update again to let Dropbox sync only the selected folders to your computer.

Dropbox Smart Sync to Sync Only Specific Folders

If you are using the Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, or Business plans, you are able to use the Dropbox smart sync to sync only specific folders to the computer like the following steps:

Enable Dropbox Automatic Smart Sync

1. Please install the Dropbox desktop app and log in to your Dropbox account.

2. Tap the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.

3. Click the settings icon at the top right, and then choose Preferences.

4. Select the Sync tab, and then choose On under Save hard drive space automatically.

Set Dropbox File or Folder Online Only/Local to Sync Only Certain Folders

Besides, you could set up the smart sync for your files and folders to make Dropbox sync only certain folders in Dropbox.

1. Log in to your Dropbox account with Dropbox desktop app on your computer.

2. Open your Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

3. Right-click the file or folder you want to remove from the hard drive, and select Online Only at the Smart Sync drop-down menu.

4. If all your files and folders are online only, you could select Local at the Smart Sync context menu to make Dropbox only sync certain folders to your computer.

How to Selectively Sync Certain Folders to Dropbox?

As a matter of fact, you could selectively sync the Dropbox folders according to the following words:

Change folders to sync from the computer to Dropbox:

1. Please go to Dropbox preferences.

2. Tap the Backups tab, then click the Set up button under the This PC section.

3. Choose the certain types of folders you want to sync from the computer to Dropbox. You could also click Add folders to add other folders to sync.

4. Then press the Set up button.

Change Dropbox Camera Uploads settings to sync only certain folders:

If you want to set up to sync certain folders like photos or Photos and Videos for camera upload, just refer to the steps:

1. Please go to Dropbox Preferences.

2. Tap the Backups tab, select Photos Only or Photos and Videos behind the Enable camera uploads for under the Camera Upload section.

3. Hit OK to make Dropbox sync only certain folders.

However, you might encounter the Dropbox selective sync not working or Dropbox smart sync issues, like Dropbox smart sync not working, etc. What should you do to sync certain folders to Dropbox.

Better Way to Sync Certain Folders to Dropbox

Fortunately, we will show you a better way to make Dropbox sync only certain folders. And it’s highly recommended to try the free cloud backup service CBackup to sync certain folders to Dropbox. Please install the CBackup desktop app, and then create a new CBackup account and sign in.

Step 1. Tap the Storage icon on the left side, then select Dropbox and hit Authorize Now. Then allow CBackup to access your Dropbox account.

Step 2. Customize the Cloud name and edit the Storage path, and tick the option “Note: Please don't modify or delete the CBackup path or backup files in your Dropbox account.”, and press OK.

Step 3. Select Sync on the left side to select Sync PC to Public Cloud to upload certain folders to Dropbox.

Step 4. Customize the Task Name, and choose the folders you want to sync to Dropbox, select a specific folder in Dropbox to save your files.

Step 5. Tap Settings > File Filter > select Exclude selected file types or Include the selected file types and specify the types you want, then hit OK.

Step 6. Then, press Start Sync to begin syncing certain folders to Dropbox.

Besides, CBackup is dedicated to protecting your data online so that you could enjoy the following valuable features:

Backup files to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, CBackup Cloud, and even the combined cloud.

Offers 5GB free cloud storage space in CBackup Cloud, which uses 256-bit AES encryption and a standard OAuth authorization system to safeguard your data.

Help you to get unlimited Dropbox cloud storage if your Dropbox doesn't have enough cloud space to store more files.

Dropbox only provides 2GB free cloud storage, if you want to get more cloud storage on Google Drive or other clouds, you could use the cloud to cloud backup or cloud to cloud sync to migrate everything from Dropbox to Google Drive or other clouds directly within minutes.

The Epilogue

How to sync specific folders in Dropbox, there are multiple ways for you to make Dropbox sync only certain folders, not all Dropbox folders especially when there is not enough hard drive space. Dropbox selective sync and smart sync will help you out. It’s better to try the free cloud backup service If your Dropbox is stuck syncing, which provides more useful features, like Dropbox schedule sync, email notification or file filter, etc.