Sync offers two different versions of the desktop app. The CloudFiles app keeps files in the cloud until you open them, while the non-CloudFiles app keeps a full local copy of everything. This article compares the two and explains how to switch safely.
In this article:
- What is the difference?
- Comparing the two app families
- Why does my Sync folder show two different sizes?
- Do I still need free disk space with CloudFiles?
- Can I use an external drive?
- Switching between app families
- Retiring your old Sync folder
- Using backup software with CloudFiles
What is the difference?
CloudFiles (version 5.x) shows every file in your Sync folder as a placeholder. Files appear locally in your Sync folder and are downloaded on demand when you open it. This keeps local disk usage low.
Non-CloudFiles (2.2.x) downloads a full local copy of everything you sync, and uses Selective Sync to exclude folders you do not need.
Comparing the two app families
| CloudFiles (5.x) | Non-CloudFiles (2.2.x) | |
|---|---|---|
| Local copy of files | On demand | Full copy |
| Selective Sync | No | Yes |
| Custom Sync folder location | Windows only | Yes |
| External drive support | Windows only, NTFS required | Yes |
| Status icons | Windows uses OneDrive icons; Mac uses iCloud icons | Sync's own overlays |
Note: macOS CloudFiles requires macOS 13 or later, and the Sync folder is fixed at Library/CloudStorage/Sync.
Why does my Sync folder show two different sizes?
With CloudFiles, your operating system reports two figures:
- Size is the logical size, or what the files would occupy if fully downloaded.
- Size on disk is what is actually stored locally right now.
A folder showing 500 GB of logical size may use only a few megabytes on disk.
Do I still need free disk space with CloudFiles?
Yes. CloudFiles needs temporary local space to stage uploads, and Sync needs working space for caching and transfers generally.
If your drive is completely full, CloudFiles will not work. As a rule of thumb, allow about double the size of whatever you are uploading.
Can I use an external drive?
- Non-CloudFiles app: yes, on both Window and MacOS.
- Windows CloudFiles: yes, on NTFS-formatted drives only.
- macOS CloudFiles: no. The Sync folder location is fixed and cannot be moved to an external drive.
If you need your Sync folder on an external drive on a Mac, use the non-CloudFiles app.
Switching between app families
Switching usually requires a full uninstall, reinstall, and a brand new empty Sync folder.
Note: Back up any local files that have not yet uploaded before you start. On macOS, reinstalling overwrites the existing Sync folder, and because the folder cannot be renamed, unsynced files will be lost.
- Back up any files that have not yet reached the cloud.
- Uninstall your current app using the full uninstaller here.
- If using Windows, rename your existing Sync folder to
Sync-old. - Install the app you want and sign in.
- Let it build a new, empty Sync folder and finish the initial sync.
Moving from CloudFiles back to the classic app: if you have files set to cloud-only, a new Sync folder is required. If everything is already downloaded locally, you may be able to reuse the existing folder.
Retiring your old Sync folder
Once the new folder has finished syncing:
- Compare the file and folder counts between
Sync-oldand the new Sync folder. - Open a few files from the new folder to confirm they are intact.
- Delete the
Sync-oldfolder.
Using backup software with CloudFiles
Third-party backup tools often do not understand cloud-only placeholders. Depending on the tool, it may either skip the file entirely or force a full download of your whole account.
If you back up your Sync folder with another tool, either use the classic app, or set the folders you want backed up to stay downloaded locally.