---
id: delta-drive.what-is-the-difference-between-linked-folder-modes
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/what-is-the-difference-between-linked-folder-modes
category: "Delta Drive, Delta Trust & My Drive"
subcategory: "Linked folders and copies"
question: "What's the difference between online only, offline only and both in sync for a linked folder?"
alt_questions:
  - "Available online only vs offline only"
  - "Both in sync Delta Drive"
  - "Which link mode should I choose?"
  - "Change how a linked folder is kept"
short_answer: "Online only keeps files in Delta Drive and frees your Mac; offline only keeps them on your Mac and never uploads them; both in sync keeps a full copy in each place, using the space twice."
tags: ["link folder", "online only", "offline only"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/how-do-i-link-a-folder-on-my-mac-to-delta-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/does-available-offline-only-upload-my-files", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/how-much-of-delta-drive-is-stored-on-my-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What's the difference between online only, offline only and both in sync for a linked folder?

They decide where the files live:

- **Available online only** — the files live in Delta Drive. Your Mac keeps only what it needs to list them, so they take no space here and open from any browser.
- **Available offline only** — the files stay on your Mac and are **never uploaded**. Delta Drive learns their names, sizes and dates so you can see what's there from anywhere; the contents are reachable only while that Mac is on.
- **Both, in sync** — a full copy in both places, kept up to date. Uses the space twice, and survives either one going away.

Change it from the folder's right-click menu (**Keep it**), the background menu (**Keep this folder**) or the Copies screen (**How it's kept**). See [linking a folder](https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/how-do-i-link-a-folder-on-my-mac-to-delta-drive).