Whenever someone comments on a shared file in dropbox, I get a red circle on the dropbox icon in the menu bar. This interrupts my workflow and I have to get rid of this feature if I want to get any work done on my computer. I have turned off all notifications on Dropbox app and on my system preferences, but the red circle still appears. I think this is bad software development practice to circumvent system preferences (which allow you to choose which applications can show the badge app icon) by putting the red number in the menu bar (which the user has no control over). I have now spent significant amount of time trying to find a solution to this, but I'm starting to fear it is impossible. I wish I had not updated dropbox, I have lost so much working time because of the update that introduced this red circle. Has anyone found a way to permanently disable the red circle or to hide the dropbox icon from the menu bar completely? Is there a way to request this feature (or rather file a bug report, I can't believe the circle is there on purpose when notifications are turned off) from the dropbox dev team?

Just an update for anyone else with this issue:I emailed back and forth with Dropbox about this issue in 2020, sent them a couple of screenshots after they requested them, got the latest version of Dropbox, reinstalled it again after request and what not, and after countless emails, I finally got a reply that said:"After further investigation, it appears that turning off comments is only available to business customers. Since you are on a basic account, this option would not be available."Anyway, I switched to Google Drive whenever I need to share files that other people comment on. I don't recommend trying to get the bug fixed, I wasted quite some time on that already. If the email support doesn't know the difference between "turning off comments" and "turning off notifications", I think there's no hope. I wonder whether business users are indeed able to turn off notifications, including the red circle. At least it's not an advertised feature.

Since 2020? This is not acceptable. Having that red bubble with a "1" there for several months leads me to keep constantly looking there. I will try to switch to Google Drive. Thanks

I have the same issue. For two months now there's a red circle with a 1. I've checked so many times, every single option in the menu and there's nothing. I've restarted, reinstalled and nothing gets that. This is so frustrating.

Hello Pih, thanks for checking in and sorry to hear your frustration about this. Since you mention that you've turned off the option to receive notifications, could you let me know what the current notification you get is about? Looking forward to hearing back from you!

Hi! Thanks for the quick reply, really appreciated!It happens when someone comments on a shared pdf, see screenshot:

How to get rid of the red circle on the dropbox icon in my menu bar? Mac desktop app.

16 Replies

Lusil
Dropbox Staff
5 years ago
Hello Pih, thanks for checking in and sorry to hear your frustration about this.

Since you mention that you've turned off the option to receive notifications, could you let me know what the current notification you get is about?

Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Pih
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Hi! Thanks for the quick reply, really appreciated!

It happens when someone comments on a shared pdf, see screenshot:
Lusil
Dropbox Staff
5 years ago
Just to have a better visual of it, could you send me a screenshot showing your notification settings in your desktop app and your system preferences?

If you have any trouble attaching an image in your next reply, just send it to me as a shared link, instead.
Pih
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Here is the system side:

Here's the Dropbox side if I turn on the notifications on system side for a second:

But if system notifications are off, the Dropbox side looks like this (you can't see what is on and what is off):

Hope this helps!
Lusil
Dropbox Staff
5 years ago
At this point, due to account-specific information that would be needed to have a better look into it, I'd say to continue via ticket.

Would it be alright if I reached out to you via email?
Pih
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Sure! Thanks for your effort.
Lusil
Dropbox Staff
5 years ago
No worries, Pih!

I've sent you one, so when you have the chance, just check your inbox.

Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Itint
New member | Level 2
4 years ago
I have the same issue. For two months now there's a red circle with a 1. I've checked so many times, every single option in the menu and there's nothing. I've restarted, reinstalled and nothing gets that. This is so frustrating.
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
4 years ago
Hey Itint, happy Thursday!

Have you made sure that your notifications are all caught up when clicking on the Dropbox icon?

Also, what is your app's syncing status?

Let me know!
Pih
Helpful | Level 6
4 years ago
Just an update for anyone else with this issue:
I emailed back and forth with Dropbox about this issue in 2020, sent them a couple of screenshots after they requested them, got the latest version of Dropbox, reinstalled it again after request and what not, and after countless emails, I finally got a reply that said:
"After further investigation, it appears that turning off comments is only available to business customers. Since you are on a basic account, this option would not be available."

Anyway, I switched to Google Drive whenever I need to share files that other people comment on. I don't recommend trying to get the bug fixed, I wasted quite some time on that already. If the email support doesn't know the difference between "turning off comments" and "turning off notifications", I think there's no hope.

I wonder whether business users are indeed able to turn off notifications, including the red circle. At least it's not an advertised feature.