I'm trying to figure out how to see previews, specifically of .jpeg online files, on my mac desktop. I use Dropbox almost exclusively for photo management and it's frustrating not even being able to see a preview so I can figure out which files I need to download locally (I just moved from an old computer that had enough storage to download everything offline to a new computer with much less storage so almost everything is online). I can do this on my android app. All of the online-only files on the mobile app are fully previewable and I can scroll through everything before deciding what to download. Is this possible on the desktop?

The response from DB appears to miss the crucial point, as the employee doesn't seem to fully grasp that our specific need isn't unique; it's a fundamental requirement for all content creators who rely on previews to identify files. It's our business we're worried about. Our concern isn't about DB continually improving its application and features. The current state of DB is a complete failure for us. We don't require an upgrade; we're simply unable to maintain baseline productivity. The absence of a clear timeline is incredibly frustrating. If this issue isn't resolved within weeks, not months, we're gone. I implore the DB community to explore alternative cloud options that cater to creative professionals and share your experiences with those of us suffering due to DB's prolonged negligence. I operate within the media industry, and once we identify a viable DB alternative for creative professionals, I will actively pump out some media release to promote articles and content that expose this DB failure and recommend the alternative solution.

luizfernandomiller that is such a ridiculously unspecific response, ohhh a mysterious third party is to blame, sure sure 🙄. Firstly, any computer will have third party software, mac or pc, in fact, technically dropbox is third party as otherwise you'd be stuck with apple apps the mac came with and never do anything on your actual computer. Secondly, finder isn't a third party app, it's native to mac, and since we are all experiencing an issue viewing files via finder with dropbox after a dropbox update, I fail to see exactly what third party app they're blaming. Personally since I use my mac for heavy creative work I install very few programs on my mac beyond the big reputable ones, I can't think of anything I've got at all that could be considered minor/potentially unstable/untrustworthy. They surely aren't blaming Adobe or Microsoft, and again, since those programs aren't used to view dropbox files anyway, I fail to see how this would impact their service. Dropbox need to speak to Apple and sort out a solution, it's not Apple's doing either, but I'm quite sure they'd be informed enough to sort out what the issue is exactly. Mac's account for upwards of 30% of the US market as a whole, according to this article from Computer World in May. I'm from Australia and would add if we cut school students from the data that figure would likely grow exponentially, and certainly in the creative industries it's higher again. My point here being, mac use is no longer small fry, the excuses of the tech teams of years past that "oh it's a mac issue it's your fault for using mac" don't cut it any longer, especially not a service like this which is specifically targeted at industries known for being heavy mac users. I've gone back to sending wetransfer links for all clients except the one that forces me to use Dropbox. I've moved all my file storage to icloud drive. The previous comment is true, this is a fundamental part of Dropbox service and without it, Dropbox is pretty useless.

Sam, it’s been ONE FULL YEAR since this was reported! Soon, yeah right. It’s obvious your position as Community Manger is simply to make excuses and string us along. Enough! Please elevate this complaint. Transfer this case up to a more senior level. We are all fed up and tired of a year’s worth of “we’re working on it.” We need to do our work and we’d all be fired if all we had for our clients—for a year—was endless excuses.

YEP I'm a creative professional and it's happening here too. Not having thumbnail previews for online only files on mac is SO frustrating and such a complete waste of time. I have dropbox V183.4.7058I have a M1 Mac Studio running macOS Sonoma 14.0I also sometimes use dropbox from my M2 macbook air running the same OS - it is happening on that one tooIt was happening on Ventura before that, from both computers. I KNOW it's not a mac issue - all my dropbox files were perfect via my mac and I worked online-only every day until a dropbox update (can't remember when the update happened exactly, but its been at least since May) - and ever since that, all my online only files don't show preview thumbnails. I work as a freelancer and have this issue on my personal account > which I use to access a paid dropbox teams account from a large business I sometimes do work for. The issue happens to their entire inhouse team too, and it's frustrating everyone! The only practical way to use Dropbox as a designer is via finder. So please don't suggest accessing from browser, I can't place images in Indesign for example, from browser, or navigate easily to the 100 or so folders I might need, and thousands of files or images. So it's bad enough having to download each dropbox file and folder I need to work on, but if I want to check something in a previous design or any number of files I might look back on, I have to download each one to see it. When I need to view photos from a shoot and find a specific few to place or edit, I CAN'T SEE THEM! I HAVE to download either a ridiculous amount of data just to view 500 photos I might not actually need, or, well, there is no alternative. THIS IS A DAILY ISSUE. So this creates another problem: Duplicates and version control. With no image/thumbnail preview, you're forcing everyone to download all files and folders they need to work on or even check, so the files are now synced locally on their mac. Say two designers are working from the same area, on fairly large files, if we both rename or upload a photo at the same time, because it takes a while to upload big files, we sometimes get duplicates. Version control becomes hideous, the only way I can ensure another designer will see the right version of a file I've been working on is to make it online only, then download them again immediately since I need to see previews of every jpg and pdf myself too. We do fast paced work, I access a LOT of files and folders when I work for this company and what used to be seamless is now clunky, slow and frankly barely usable. Embarrassingly for dropbox, they even had a warning message pop up in-app for a good few months after I noticed my issues started, saying there were issues on mac with online only files. This has mysteriously disappeared now - but the problem remains. It's surprising they aren't taking this more seriously in terms of prioritising a solution, considering macs are pretty standard in most households now, and certainly the standard for my industry. A few of the team have started sending google drive file links, I suspect that is where we are exiting to, although I have no experience with drive myself so can't comment on the practicality of that solution. Personally I use and work from icloud drive, but there isn't really any way to share access as a team to icloud drive files and I can't see that working for teams using both mac's and PC's.

Hi, I'm struggling with the same issue currently on my Mac (running up to date OS Ventura Version 13.3.1 ). My online-only files have plain JPG icons with no preview thumbnails and when I hit the space bar (or select Quick Look) there's nothing. My local files all display perfectly.It's clear that I'm not alone with this issue.Having tens of thousands of images to sort through, this issue is potentially a deal-breaker and one that may need me to move away from Dropbox. I don't want this - so would appreciate some serious help by the DB team. Thanks in advance.

How to view previews of online-only files on desktop (like how you can in the mobile app)? - macOS

massimilianogrieco
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Hello,

I would like to know if there is an update on this issue.
Please note that I've already discussed this issue with dropbox support so please, please, please, don't suggest anything like re-indexing spotlight or finder or deleting and reinstalling the app or what so ever - the issue has been confirmed from Dropbox Team (as you can see from the screenshot) so all I want to know is if the version that fixes this bug is available.

Just to give you a bit of context: Since i've updated my Mac to Mac OS Ventura I can't see preview icons if the files are online-only, and sometimes even if I make them available offline.
This is a screenshot of what I see (the grey bar are just to cover my file names)

In case you're wondering, my Dropbox version is v.174.3.5811 which Dropbox Team provided me before admitting that they are aware of the issue.
Thank you,
Massimiliano
- Walter
  Dropbox Staff
  2 years ago
  Hey there massimilianogrieco, sorry to hear you're having issues with this and thanks for all the information you've shared with us.
  
  Could you let us know your ticket ID as well so that we can look it up in our system?
  
  Thanks so much!
  - massimilianogrieco
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 years ago
    Sure - Ticket #22111476
    Thank you.
CharlotteR
Collaborator | Level 8
11 months ago
I can't believe this is still an ongoing issue! This is still making it very difficult on a day to day basis to do my job. Is there any word on a fix?
- massimilianogrieco
  Helpful | Level 6
  10 months ago
  Hi, I agree with Charlotte. We've been here since the first pages of this thread and I truly can't believe that this is still going on.
  There aren't words to explain how frustrating is to not being able to preview files in a Creative environment.
  I'm so disappointed on how unprofessional Dropbox is resulting on this issue.
  I had this issue on Mac OS Ventura and I still have it on OS Sonoma V. 14.2.1 (Dropbox version: 192.3.4870)
  - PeterS13
    New member | Level 2
    10 months ago
    Same boat here. Having recently upgraded to Sonoma 14.2, I am so thoroughly annoyed that I still cannot see image previews! I've just had to download (make available offline) 6 GB of client images just to be able to select a few for a publication design. Please fix this now!
jimmy92233
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Finally found a thread addressing this issue and a bit shocked that this is still unresolved.

As a professional creative, I might as well have my hands tied behind my back. Completely incapable of doing any work without being able to see a thumbnail picture of online-only files. The rest of my team running latest OS is also experiencing this and resorted to using the dropbox website to preview files, then hop over to the folder location to edit.

This is insane and it's crippled our productivity. Will be looking into other services for sure.
- No_Icons_No_Dragon
  Helpful | Level 6
  2 years ago
  For those who are leaving Dropbox to gain thumbnail previews, please let us know of the cloud storage alternatives you ‘tested and found will do the job. Thanks!
  - wallerlaurenp
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 years ago
    The free version of Dropbox works! It’s just the larger storage, paid version that is absolutely useless. That said, the files are more likely to be downloaded to your hard drive (less space on the free version), so you would see the thumbnails. I would love to hear of an alternative to Dropbox. I would switch immediately.
vmachado0113
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi there,
I am having an issue with thumbnails of online-only files. I'm using the most recent beta of dropbox for mac and my mac is up to date. I can't preview or view image thumbnails, they all just show the generic JPG thumb. Most of my work involves scouring dropbox for different images and making everything available offline isn't an option. I've tried researching on here and nothing's worked. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
- Jay
  Dropbox Staff
  2 years ago
  Hi vmachado0113, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
  
  Were you able to preview the thumbnails of online-only files when using the older version of the Dropbox desktop application on Mac OS?
  
  This will help me to assist further!
  - vmachado0113
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago
    No, but I used to be able to click on the files and view them in preview, which I can't do anymore.
classic mesa
Helpful | Level 5
7 months ago
Anyone solved this? It's driving me insane! 😠
- FedericoP
  Helpful | Level 6
  7 months ago
  I have the same issue in a lot of Mac computers in my company. Dropbox v.198.4.7615
  - FedericoP
    Helpful | Level 6
    7 months ago
    I have an update that could be helpful for other users and dropbox technicians.
    In my company we have a lot of mac with different version of macOS: Monterey, Ventura and Sonoma. I've seen that the file preview works with Monterey OS and also the user is able to sync more than 500.000 files in his machine without any error.
    With Sonoma the preview function works only with illustrator (.ai) and .eps files but doesn't work with: pdf, csv, png, jpeg, jpg, html
    Also the user that has Sonoma is not able to sync every file and folder archived in the cloud. In my case we are talking about 3 milions of files (14TB). The client returns an error "sync interrupted" and you have to choose you want to sync.
    Every Mac machine in my company has Apple Silicon M1/M3 Pro
    
    Thank you
kimskey
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
Up until today, I have been able to see thumbnails for jpg/png files that are online-only. Now it is just a generic icon.
I understand what online-only entails but for years I have been using the thumbnails to select the file i need to download or re-download.
I can't just download all the photos from the photoshoot just to select one file.

Is there a way to re-enable the thumbnails?
Lizajane
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago
I am not able to see .jpgs still. I am running Dropbox 185.4.6054 on a Macbook Pro M1 Ventura 13.5.2 (22G91). I am able to see .psd files that are offline, but sadly not .jpg. Why does it work for some on this thread and not all?
- HappyTales
  Helpful | Level 6
  2 years ago
  Lizajane you're not using the latest beta, so you could try updating to that. The issue with it working for some and not for others appears at this point to be linked to those of us using Team folders. If you're not in a team, hopefully updating to the latest beta will solve your issues. Otherwise, you're in the same boat as the rest of us, just waiting!
  - missfluffy
    Explorer | Level 4
    12 months ago
    Just throwing it out here, although it seems that the issue has been well documented already. I have not been able to see .jpg previews since upgrading to Ventura. I am currently running Dropbox 188.4.6302 on a MacBook Air M1 Sonoma 14.1.2.
Jay
Dropbox Staff
2 years ago
Hi meganh32, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

The difference between the apps is that the mobile app is primary used to preview files on the site, so it's actively downloading the thumbnails to let you preview the files in full when you tap them, and the full file is then downloaded.

Regarding the desktop, are you referring to using Quick Look on your Mac to see thumbnails, or something else?

This will help me to assist further!
- ShropshireLad
  Helpful | Level 5
  2 years ago
  Hi, I'm struggling with the same issue currently on my Mac (running up to date OS Ventura Version 13.3.1 ). My online-only files have plain JPG icons with no preview thumbnails and when I hit the space bar (or select Quick Look) there's nothing. My local files all display perfectly.
  
  It's clear that I'm not alone with this issue.
  
  Having tens of thousands of images to sort through, this issue is potentially a deal-breaker and one that may need me to move away from Dropbox. I don't want this - so would appreciate some serious help by the DB team. Thanks in advance.
  - Megan
    Dropbox Staff
    2 years ago
    Hi ShropshireLad, let's jump right into this!
    
    Which Dropbox version are you running? You can find this by locating your little Dropbox icon on the menu bar, next to your WiFi, and hovering your mouse over it.
    
    If you right click on the files, and change to available offline, can you see the thumbnails then? Can you send me a screenshot of the missing thumbnails so I can have a visual of what you described?
    
    This will help me to assist further!
- meganh32
  Helpful | Level 5
  2 years ago
  Hi Jay,
  
  I'm using almost exclusively just Finder thumbnail pictures, sometimes Preview, on Mac. I mainly use dropbox for photo storage and now that I don't have a computer that can locally store all my files, and I am unable to even preview photos while connected to the internet (I would understand that the thumbnails wouldn't show up if not connected to internet) it's making it nearly impossible to use dropbox effeciently. It's seeming like I have to use the website, find the file I need, then either download it (creating duplicate files) or find the file name/location and then going back to the desktop app and finding the file name/location again and downloading it there. It's very cumbersome.
  - Megan
    Dropbox Staff
    2 years ago
    Hi meganh32 & ShropshireLad, can you try following these steps, in order to force quit the app?
    
    Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray, or menu bar, by the clock.
    
    Click on your profile picture or initials to the right of the search bar.
    
    Choose either "Exit Dropbox" or "Quit Dropbox".
    
    Once you do, re-launch the app, and let me know if you notice any difference.
Creneau_Admin
Helpful | Level 6
7 months ago
Same problem here with a team of designers.
Strange thing is that not every user has this issue...
But then again, one is one too many in this case
- FedericoP
  Helpful | Level 6
  7 months ago
  Creneau_Admin the problem is present on Macbooks with Ventura/Sonoma?
  
  Currently I did some tests with the new M1 Mac as i said in the previous comment that has Monterey and the file preview problem is not present. I can see every file archived online. So something has been broken with the new operating systems. Please Sam DBX can you check this information?
  - Creneau_Admin
    Helpful | Level 6
    7 months ago
    Yes, these are indeed Sonoma's

Forum Discussion

How to view previews of online-only files on desktop (like how you can in the mobile app)? - macOS

About View, download, and export

Need more support

Related Content

Re: Dropbox online-only consuming hard drive space.

Re: Moving Files/Folders to Online Only doesn't do anything.

Re: Dropbox app uploading in online only outside of the Dropbox folder.

Issues with online only files/folders

"Online only" default option for app--completely useless?

Recent Discussions

No sound on my videos when previewed on the Dropbox site, why?

I've left comments for some students, but they can't see them after sharing the files.

I can't see my folders in offline only mode on Mac OS 15.1

Special folder act as "web server"

Navigation arrows for photos on the website and the mobile app