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macOS desktop app stuck syncing 32 files
As with several other users, I've been using Dropbox for years on my Macs & iPhones, but have recently noticed that the files I update on my MacBook Pro (Sonoma 14.1.2) are not appearing on my iPhone (iOS 17.1.2). I normally don't use the Dropbox website, but upon reading some of the recent Community posts, I checked it & discovered that those files weren't appearing on the site either. I have downloaded the latest versions of the app for my iPhone (v 358.2.8) & also the MacBook (v 189.4.8395), but neither change has solved the problem. My WiFi has a good connection to the internet, I have no VPN or security limitations on my MacBook, & the latter's menu bar icon shows me that I am "syncing 32 files", which is not true. What can you suggest I try next?
17 Replies
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- Mark
Super User II
If it says you are syncing 32 files then there are 32 files waiting to sync - my guess is the ones you are missing.
Have you tried a restart of Dropbox? Computer?
- Yes, I’ve restarted the Mac & I assume that downloading a new Dropbox copy qualifies as restarting it. I’m unsure how to restart it in any other way.
- Mark
When you open Dropbox on your machine (the actual folder via Finder) can you see any folders which have the syncing icon on them? If so drag them out of Dropbox to the desktop, let it sync to white box and then replace, that often helps.
Thank you, Mark, but that seems to make no difference, I still see the cloud icon adjacent to the files in the Dropbox folder on my MacBook after that process. The updated file still fails to appear on the Dropbox web page and on my iPhone. Still unsure how to make Dropbox start.
- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
bluecrab347, can you clarify what you meant above by “downloading a new Dropbox copy”? Were you referring to downloading the latest Dropbox app version?
Also, can you send me a screenshot of how these files appear within your local Dropbox folder?
Finally, to restart the Dropbox app, please click on the Dropbox icon in your menu bar, go to your initials/profile picture > Quit Dropbox. To relaunch the Dropbox app, you’ll need to open your Finder > Applications folder, and double click on it.
Hi Nancy; yes, I was referring to downloading the latest Dropbox app version. I have now tried quitting the Dropbox app, as you have suggested, and relaunching it, but with no change to my files. They still haven't been uploaded to my iPhone or the Dropbox site. This screenshot was taken after that last action.
- Megan
Hi bluecrab347, can you also send me a screenshot of the app's exact syncing status, in order for me to have visual please?
Megan, here it is.
- Nancy
Thanks for the screenshots! Has your Dropbox app made any progress since then? I can see there are 21 files syncing now (and not 32), so it seems to be syncing.
If you add a really small file to your Dropbox app now, and check the website after a bit, can you see it there?
I hate to tell you this, Nancy, but those 21 files are the same files that were apparently being sync'd when I first raised this issue; I don't understand why it said 32 files at one stage. It still says 21 files. I've added a 13KB Word file and seen no change and the almost recent 13KB file that I created 3 days ago still hasn't been sync'd. I've seen no progress at all, despite the apps on both my Mac and my iPhone being the latest versions.
