How to Force Dropbox to Sync
- George Apostolov
How to Force Dropbox to Sync: step-by-step guide
For MacOS: Look for the Dropbox icon in the menu bar (top-right corner).
Click your profile icon, then select Preferences.
In the Sync tab, locate the Selective Sync option and click Select folders.
Choose the folders you’d like to have available on your computer, then click Update.
Choose how you’d like new files to sync to your computer by selecting your preferred option.
Quick answer: To force Dropbox to sync, locate the Dropbox icon in the MacOS menu bar, click your profile icon, and open Preferences. Next, go to the Sync tab, click Select folders under Selective Sync, choose your desired folders, click Update, and then select your preferred option for new files.
About this Dropbox tutorial
Manage your Dropbox file synchronization on MacOS by updating selective sync folder settings and choosing how new files download. This guide shows how to force Dropbox to Sync in 5 steps, starting with "For MacOS : Look for the Dropbox icon in the menu bar (top-right corner)" and finishing with "Choose how you’d like new files to sync to your computer by selecting your preferred op...". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Dropbox interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to force Dropbox to Sync?
5 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Dropbox data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Dropbox. Related guides: How to Free Up Space in Dropbox, How to Get More Dropbox Space for Free and How to Get Rid of Checkmarks on Dropbox Folders. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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