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Desktop items not included when syncing with Dropbox
I'm working on an M1 MacBook Pro running macOS Tahoe. For some time now (including before I upgraded to Tahoe) I have noticed that items I leave on my Desktop are not included in the Dropbox Sync. I ...
If I have a PDF file on the desktop of my Mac, am I unable to find and open that file from a Dropbox App on my iPhone.
Correct.
Equally, if I have a PowerPoint file on the desktop of my Mac, am I unable to find and open that file if I access my Dropbox from another computer via browser?
Also correct.
In the past, the Backup feature would allow for it to work like that if you were backing up the Desktop folder. This is because your Desktop folder was MOVED into your Dropbox folder, allowing it to sync like any other folder.
Now, however, the Backup feature no longer works like that. You can still backup your Desktop, but backups are now stored in a separate space within your Dropbox account. They're backups. They're not meant to be working files. They're for recovery.
If you want to be able to open files across devices, you need to store them in your local Dropbox folder. The intent of Dropbox has always been that your files are stored in your Dropbox folder and you work on them from there. If needed, create a shortcut or an alias (not sure how it works on a Mac) to the file and place it on the Desktop for quick access, while leaving the file in your Dropbox folder.
Hi Rich,
Could I just check what you are saying...
If I have a PDF file on the desktop of my Mac, am I unable to find and open that file from a Dropbox App on my iPhone. Equally, if I have a PowerPoint file on the desktop of my Mac, am I unable to find and open that file if I access my Dropbox from another computer via browser?
Grateful for your steer on this.
Cheers,
Gareth
Rich
Super User II
Super User IIIf I have a PDF file on the desktop of my Mac, am I unable to find and open that file from a Dropbox App on my iPhone.
Correct.
Equally, if I have a PowerPoint file on the desktop of my Mac, am I unable to find and open that file if I access my Dropbox from another computer via browser?
Also correct.
In the past, the Backup feature would allow for it to work like that if you were backing up the Desktop folder. This is because your Desktop folder was MOVED into your Dropbox folder, allowing it to sync like any other folder.
Now, however, the Backup feature no longer works like that. You can still backup your Desktop, but backups are now stored in a separate space within your Dropbox account. They're backups. They're not meant to be working files. They're for recovery.
If you want to be able to open files across devices, you need to store them in your local Dropbox folder. The intent of Dropbox has always been that your files are stored in your Dropbox folder and you work on them from there. If needed, create a shortcut or an alias (not sure how it works on a Mac) to the file and place it on the Desktop for quick access, while leaving the file in your Dropbox folder.
