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Confusing: Is it online or offline?

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  • Diana Hill

    Hello, Raffe Bergwall

     

    I understand that the behavior of Box Drive’s online and offline modes can be a bit confusing, especially when compared to other cloud services. Let’s clarify how it works:

    Cloud Icon: This typically indicates that the file or folder is stored online and not yet available offline. It’s like a shortcut to the cloud-stored content.
    Green Checkmark: When you see this, it means the content is available offline. It has been downloaded to your local device and can be accessed without an internet connection: https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043697574-Making-Content-Available-Offline.
    No Icon: If there’s no icon, it usually means the content is local to your device. It might not have been uploaded to Box yet, or it’s fully synchronized and doesn’t need a specific status icon.

    Here’s what happens with the icons and options:

    When you create a folder in Finder (like “Bergwall”), it doesn’t have an icon initially because it’s local. When you choose “Make available offline,” it’s telling Box to ensure this folder is kept in sync with the cloud.
    For the “Labels” folder created online, clicking “Make available offline” downloads it to your device, indicated by the green checkmark. Selecting “Make available Online only” removes the local copy, reverting to the cloud icon.
    The absence of the cloud icon with an arrow on “Bergwall” after making it offline again suggests it’s fully synchronized and doesn’t need an indicator.

    To answer your questions: A. No, the absence of a cloud icon with an arrow doesn’t mean the same as having one. The absence could indicate that the folder is already synchronized or local. B. Folders and files you add from Finder are local by default. They go “offline” in the sense that they exist on your device, but they may not be synchronized with Box until you choose to do so. C. This behavior allows for flexibility in managing your files. You can decide which ones to keep purely local, which to synchronize, and which to have available only online bcbsfl.

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  • Rona

    Hi Rb,

    Welcome to Box Community! 

    I've opened a new case regarding your inquiry and a member from Product Support will get in touch shortly. 

    Thanks for posting! 

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