# Synchronize with Dropbox

{% hint style="danger" %}
[Mount-based Dropbox integration](/features/file-system-and-storage/mount-dropbox.md) is the only supported Dropbox integration for all Nuvolos users since 2023 August. This documentation is only kept online for clarification purposes.
{% endhint %}

### Link your Dropbox account

Nuvolos supports synchronising files with your Dropbox account. In order to enable synchronisation, go to the [Account > Settings > Dropbox Sync ](https://az.nuvolos.cloud/user/settings/dropbox)and click the **Enable** button. **CLAUDE**: Make step > step > step > notation here consistent with the enum style we had in monitoring-resource-usage/README.md.

Nuvolos will have its own special folder inside Dropbox, to avoid requesting access to your complete Dropbox account. According to the convention of Dropbox, files synced with Nuvolos will be stored under the **Apps > nuvolos.cloud** folder in your Dropbox account. The Organization > Space > Instance hierarchy will be reflected inside the **Apps > nuvolos.cloud** folder.

{% hint style="info" %}
Once your account is linked, whenever a Nuvolos application is started (if you already have the application running, then stop it and restart it) the synchronisation to Dropbox will begin as well.
{% endhint %}

Whilst for most cases **instantaneous bidirectional synchronization** will happen between Nuvolos and Dropbox, currently the following limitations apply to Dropbox synchronisation:

* Files created outside **your** application (e.g. uploaded on the web interface, created by a co-author, distributed from another instance) will only be synchronised once the application is restarted.
* The synchronisation only runs if your application is running.

### Unlink your Dropbox account

You can unlink your Dropbox account anytime at [Account > Settings > Dropbox Sync](https://az.nuvolos.cloud/user/settings/dropbox). Applications started after unlinking will not connect to Dropbox, running applications will still have a connection until restarted.

{% hint style="info" %}
When unlinking your account, no data is removed from your Dropbox. This means you can re-link your Dropbox account and continue where you left off.
{% endhint %}

### Restoring Nuvolos snapshots

Restoring Nuvolos snapshots requires special care if Dropbox integration is enabled, as otherwise, the Dropbox version of the files (more recent) will overwrite the restored files.

If Dropbox integration is enabled, proceed as follows to restore from a snapshot:

1. In Nuvolos, restore the snapshot - this will also automatically stop applications.
2. In Dropbox (website or local application), delete the instance folder (located at: Apps > nuvolos.cloud > \[Your Org] > \[Your space] > \[ Your Instance ] )
3. In Nuvolos navigate to the Files view and select **Personal** instead of **Workspace**. Then check the **Show hidden files** option. Still in the Nuvolos Files view, delete the `.local > share > maestral` folder.
4. In Nuvolos, start your application. Upon the successful start, the Dropbox synchronisation service in Nuvolos will recreate the instance folder. Next, the synchronisation with Dropbox for the restored files shall resume.

### Excluding files

Files can be excluded from synchronisation by editing the hidden file `/files/.mignore`.

This file follows the [same syntax as .gitignore](https://git-scm.com/docs/gitignore#_pattern_format).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.nuvolos.com/features/file-system-and-storage/synchronize-with-dropbox.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.