Hi, I have a shared folder in my mac dropbox that is locked by the person who shared it with me. Some time ago I asked him to remove me from the shared list which he did however I am unable to delete the folder from my dropbox app on my mac. The folder is not in my dropbox online or on my iPhone or iPad, only on my MacBook. The file won't sync; consequently, the dropbox app won't upgrade or update. It is always trying to sync this locked folder. I've tried following the instructions on deleting a shared folder by holding the option key down while deleting from the finder but the option to delete is greyed out. Any help is greatly appreciated. If I can't get this resolved I'm ready to dump dropbox and move to another provider.

I was finally able to get the file removed but it took tech support from Dropbox. After analyzing the problem they sent me a script to enter into the terminal app. That solved the issue. Your only solution as I see it is to contact Dropbox tech support.

Thanks for clarifying that for us toemaytoe Would it be OK if we reached out via email to have a further look internally at this point?

Hi lanefarin! Thanks for posting here, too. Can you share a few more details on your issue? Were you also invited to a shared folder, which has been removed from your Dropbox account by the owner, but still remains on your desktop app somehow and can’t be deleted? What’s happening exactly in your case?

Thanks for the info. Could you try fixing the permissions of the files in your Dropbox folder by following these steps: 1. Stop the Dropbox desktop application (if needed) Click on the Dropbox icon. Choose Quit/Stop/Exit 2. Open your Terminal app (Located at /Applications/Utilities/Terminal) 3. Copy and paste the following lines into the Terminal, one at a time, and press RETURN after each one. PLEASE make sure you copy and paste these commands (don't type them by hand), as getting them wrong could cause some harm. You'll be prompted for your computer user's password (not your Dropbox password) after entering the first command. Keep in mind that the password field in the terminal will remain blank as you type your password. After you type it, just press ENTER. You'll know that these instructions complete normally once the initial line of text (called prompt) comes up again: sudo chflags -R nouchg ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox sudo chown "$USER" "$HOME" sudo chown -R "$USER" ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox sudo chmod -RN ~/.dropbox ~/Dropbox chmod -R u+rw ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox Please note that once the prompt displays, the instruction completed the requested task, and is ready for the next command. If the command returns an error, or does not respond after an hour, you may want to try restarting your computer and try these steps again. If you have any questions before you do this, or if you see an error after running one of these commands, please let me know. 4. Restart Dropbox from Applications Keep me updated with any progress.

It worked! Thanks so much for the help.

I can't delete a locked shared folder on my Mac device, which I've been removed by the owner

40 Replies

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Kimberly5111
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Hi Nancy,
I removed myself from the shared folder a while ago and it does not show up in my browser version. However my desktop app shows it (the 2023_ folder in the screenshot). I have this "can't sync Dropbox account" pop-up that will not go away no matter how many times i restart my computer. its been on my screen for 2 weeks and gets in the way of working/zoom meetings/etc. You'll see in the screenshot that the icon at the top of the screen forever shows its updating and I can't click on anything. Lastly, I can't uninstall or update the app because it is open and will not close. Thanks for the help!
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi Kimberly5111, as you mentioned you sent this device to your IT team, is it possible that they installed (or reinstalled) the Dropbox desktop application with administrator privileges?
Kimberly5111
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Update - I was able to use the code in the terminal and it worked. The pop up is cleared up and I was able to update the app. The locked folder is gone! Thanks for the help.
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Fantastic news Kimberly5111!

If you need something else, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help every step of the way.
lanefarin
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi Nancy, the folder was shared with me which may or may not have been removed by the owner from my dropbox account that I am not aware. The owner passed away during the pandemic and the company is no longer in business. It was a folder for a business deal we did. It is only showing on my desktop, not on the web or phone app. There are no files in the folder and I have read only permissions. When I go to 'get info' it shows 'fetching' for the name for 'read & write' permissions. Folder was created in 2016 and hasn't been modified since October 2019. It's always trying to sync although it doesn't interfere with my other files sinking. However, I would just prefer to have this folder gone altogether. Can you help?
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hey lanefarin, if you try to quit the app using these steps, and then -while the app is closed- try to delete it, does that work?
lanefarin
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
It did not. There is no option to delete in the dropdown. I tried dragging to trash and that didn't work either.
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
HI lanefarin, are you using a company-managed device by any chance, or a personal machine?
lanefarin
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Personal. Here's a screen shot of what shows in the drop down on that folder.
Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hey lanefarin! Can you clarify what happens exactly if you try to move the folder to your Trash?

Also, if you go to this page, can you see the folder in the list along with any option to remove it from your Dropbox account?