To use Dropbox’s Smart Sync–style feature on Android, open a file or folder’s more-options menu and turn on Make Available Offline. Dropbox’s current Android guidance uses that label rather than a separate control called “Smart Sync.”
Make a Dropbox file available offline
- Install the Dropbox mobile app and sign in. Dropbox provides mobile access through its app.
- Browse to the file you want to keep on your device.
- Tap the file’s more-options control, then turn on Make Available Offline. Dropbox downloads a local copy while retaining the file in your Dropbox account. See Dropbox’s offline-file instructions.
Offline files can be opened without an internet connection. Files and folders are not available offline by default; Dropbox’s help page explaining this was updated March 3, 2026. Dropbox Help: offline availability
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Make a folder available offline
Use the folder’s more-options menu and select Make Available Offline. Individual files can be made available offline by all Dropbox users. Offline access for an entire folder is limited to Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans, according to Dropbox’s current help guidance. Plan names and entitlements can change, so check your account’s current plan details if the option is unavailable. Dropbox Help: file and folder offline access
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Find the offline-files list
- Tap Account at the bottom of the Dropbox app.
- Tap Manage offline files. Dropbox marks offline items with an offline icon. Dropbox Help: managing offline files
See how much device space they use
Open the Dropbox app settings to see Available Space and Space Used for offline files. Offline copies use storage on your phone or tablet; Dropbox does not provide a single storage estimate that applies to every file or device. Dropbox Help: offline storage information
#1 Best Overall
Choose between online-only and offline access
| Setting | Internet access | Device storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online-only | Needed to open the item | Does not use local device storage | Items you do not need without a connection |
| Available offline | Not needed to open the local copy | Uses local device storage | Files or folders you need when disconnected |
Dropbox describes an offline item as remaining in Dropbox while also being saved on the device; turning on offline access is not an export or removal of the cloud copy. To make an item online-only again, open its more-options menu and turn off Make Available Offline. Dropbox says the mobile toggle appears gray when the item is online-only. Dropbox Help: freeing space with online-only files
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Offline edits made while disconnected do not sync to other devices until the device reconnects; Dropbox says the changes then sync automatically. By default, offline files update over Wi-Fi rather than continuously using mobile data. For files to update while you are on mobile data, open the Dropbox app settings and enable Use data for offline files. Dropbox also says the offline-files list must be open on Wi-Fi for offline files to stay updated over Wi-Fi. Dropbox Help: offline sync behavior Dropbox Help: mobile app settings
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If “Make Available Offline” is missing
- For a folder, confirm that your Dropbox plan includes offline folder access; individual files are available offline to all users.
- Check that you are viewing the item in the Dropbox mobile app and opening its more-options menu.
- Check available device space in app settings if a download cannot complete.
- App labels and placement can vary by version. Dropbox’s documented route is the item’s more-options menu, followed by Make Available Offline.
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