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Forum Discussion

thefc's avatar
thefc
Helpful | Level 6
7 years ago

MacOS 10.14 SmartSync files included in disk storage calculation

So I don't think I'm the first to ask this, but I don't see any real solutions, so here goes... I have 2016 MacBook Pro 13" 250GB which is now showing storage issues. For example, one of the docu...
Desktop
Mac
Sync
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    7 years ago

    Thanks for the swift and elaborate response thefc - most appreciated.

    First off, thanks for using our BETA versions - I guess you've opted in "early releases" on your Dropbox account, right? 

    [Kindly note that as beta builds are still in the testing process, you could experience some issues or an inconsistent experience.]

    Now, as per the matter at hand, from what I see in your last screenshot this specific file is physically taking up no space (i.e. this is what the "Zero bytes on disk" means). Read on for more context:

    As there are various places to see the size of a file in Finder, it's good to know that some of these locations will display the logical size, others the physical size. A Smart Sync placeholder takes up approximately 0kb, this is the pysical size. The logical size of the file is the actual size of the file, if it were downloaded to the device (the size reported through your "Large File Report" is the physical size of the file). 

    To see both the logical and physical file size:
    - Right click on a file/folder
    - Select 'Get info'
    - In the properties window you will see the original file size, followed by the actual on-disk size:

    For example:428,510 bytes (0 KB on disk) 

    It is important to be able to view both sizes, not just to reassure you that the file is not taking up space, but also to understand the space and speed implications of returning the file(s).

    In other views of Finder, the operating system will report the logical size. For this reason you shouldn't be concerned if it initially appears that the placeholder is taking up space. To confirm the file or folder is not taking up space, please check via the above steps. Files that are not taking up space on disk will have an icon overlay that changes from the usual green tick to the grey cloud icon, denoting that the file isn't locally present.

    Please note that third party disk management software may not read the physical size of a Smart Sync placeholder, therefore that software may not correctly report disk usage.

    I hope this inforrmation helps and please let me know if there's anything else I can do.

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
7 years ago

Hey there thefc - sorry to hear about this. Do you the "Online Only" icon on this specific file to begin with?

Could you share a screenshot of where you located the space discrepancy as well?

Also, can you let me know which version of our app are you running (our latest stable version is 61.4.95) and what it reports at the moment (meaning, is it up to date or still synicng changes)? 

Thanks in advance for your reply and cooperation on this one!

  • thefc's avatar
    thefc
    Helpful | Level 6
    7 years ago

    Hi Walter

    The version on my Mac is v62.3.93

    Below are two screenshots - the first from the storage report of the Mac showing large files to declutter - the top file is 828MB

    And below the second image of the actual folder where the file is located on the Mac showing the online-only icon (it's the last one on the list)...

    The issue is if you "CMD I" the file for information, the box shows the file size reported in the storage management list, but that it takes up no disk space as shown below...

    So what do you or anyone else think of this confusion between the MacOS and the Dropbox sync system?

    • Walter's avatar
      Walter
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      7 years ago

      Thanks for the swift and elaborate response thefc - most appreciated.

      First off, thanks for using our BETA versions - I guess you've opted in "early releases" on your Dropbox account, right? 

      [Kindly note that as beta builds are still in the testing process, you could experience some issues or an inconsistent experience.]

      Now, as per the matter at hand, from what I see in your last screenshot this specific file is physically taking up no space (i.e. this is what the "Zero bytes on disk" means). Read on for more context:

      As there are various places to see the size of a file in Finder, it's good to know that some of these locations will display the logical size, others the physical size. A Smart Sync placeholder takes up approximately 0kb, this is the pysical size. The logical size of the file is the actual size of the file, if it were downloaded to the device (the size reported through your "Large File Report" is the physical size of the file). 

      To see both the logical and physical file size:
      - Right click on a file/folder
      - Select 'Get info'
      - In the properties window you will see the original file size, followed by the actual on-disk size:

      For example:428,510 bytes (0 KB on disk) 

      It is important to be able to view both sizes, not just to reassure you that the file is not taking up space, but also to understand the space and speed implications of returning the file(s).

      In other views of Finder, the operating system will report the logical size. For this reason you shouldn't be concerned if it initially appears that the placeholder is taking up space. To confirm the file or folder is not taking up space, please check via the above steps. Files that are not taking up space on disk will have an icon overlay that changes from the usual green tick to the grey cloud icon, denoting that the file isn't locally present.

      Please note that third party disk management software may not read the physical size of a Smart Sync placeholder, therefore that software may not correctly report disk usage.

      I hope this inforrmation helps and please let me know if there's anything else I can do.

      • thefc's avatar
        thefc
        Helpful | Level 6
        7 years ago

        Hi Walter

        First of all thanks for the reply.

        However, I think we're not talking about 'third-party' views of the Mac storage, we're talking about how Apples OS measures disk space.

        My concern is how other applications such as Photoshop interact with the disk storage management system to know the free space available. The incorrect reporting based on the logical size in effect causes alerts that at best are irritating or worst prevent an application completing a task. This is also true of the OS as it was the MacOS that alerted me to the lack of logical space.

        I'm guessing that there is no answer to this right now, but perhaps Dropbox could talk to Apple about how they manage what is effectively an 'alias'. I've just created one on another Mac of iMovie a 2.79GB application. The alias on my desktop shows both a logical and physical size of just 4k. Whilst I know this is acting more like a bookmark than potentially a locally stored file, it has no impact on my local storage.

        Thanks again for your help and time in replying.

        Stuart

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