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Forum Discussion
I can't delete my documents even after stopping syncing and removing Mac OS device
I recently downgraded to Basic and downloaded all documents stored (I had two computers synced) on Dropbox. I did this with both computers, stopped the syncing process, and delinked them in security settings. I was able to successfully delete the stored documents for one computer, but not the other. Which is causing a problem since I have documents for that computer still on Dropbox but I cannot delete them. Every time I try, I have to go to settings to delink the computer. Except I have already done that. I removed all my devices from syncing and deleted them. Still the documents remain. I am at a loss as to what to do. Since it seems impossible to directly call Dropbox and ask them to delete, what can I do at this point? The only thing I need Dropbox for is to store backups from a blog, but I cannot do that know because those documents exceed the bandwidth.
The computer involved is a 2020 MacBook Pro (M1) running Sonoma 14.5. All I need to do is remove the documents in its folder on Dropbox. The device was removed from the account so it should delete but cannot as it seems to be in a loop taking me to backup settings. If I try I no longer have access to this device option, I can see the device has been removed but Dropbox apparently doesn't. Any help would be appreciated.
18 Replies
- Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi marktaylor61, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Since you mentioned backup, is it possible that you enabled the computer backup feature? Have you tried deleting the backups from the site?
This will help me to assist further!
No, I didn't use that feature for this computer (Mac Book). I synced documents. When I try to delete the documents still on Dropbox (the Mac Book Pro folder), I am unable to do so. I have already downloaded all the documents, removed Dropbox from the computer etc. So it is a glitch of some kind. Not sure whether I caused it somehow or something else.
- Jay
Okay, just to clarify, you have a Dropbox folder on your MacBook Pro. You have already unlinked the Dropbox desktop application from your account, and uninstalled it as well since you're not using it.
However, you're still not able to delete files from that Dropbox folder? What kind of error do you get?
When I checked today, it said I had to go to backup settings to delete. When I go there, it shows that I have to install Dropbox (which I removed from my computer after removing the device). If I hit I cannot access, it tells me to go and remove the device. Hence the loop. I removed Dropbox after turning off the syncing and after downloading all the documents. I use the delete feature to remove documents from both the desktop and Mac Book folders. I got a delete notice of files deleted and did not know until today they (the Mac Book docs) were still there.
- Jay
Are you able to reinstall the Dropbox desktop application in order to disable the Dropbox Backup feature from the app itself?
I would be reluctant to restore it. It was a major hassle to stop the syncing, to download, and make sure it was totally off Dropbox. Is there any way for you guys just to delete the folder?
Sure. Here is the screenshot.
- Walter
Thanks for the screenshot marktaylor61
Could you send us another one, showing the exact error you're getting when trying to delete the docs you mentioned?
Sorry for the late reply. I had to take care of some other business. When I attempt to delete, it tells me go to Backup Settings. I click on it and, well, you can see it wants me to download and install Dropbox. If I click I no longer have access to the computer, I go to settings and it confirms my device is not there anymore.
