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Syncing icons are missing on Mac OS
Application Affected
Dropbox desktop app / newest update as of 2/3/2026
Device
M3 iMac
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
Sequoia
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
241.4.4795
Question or Issue
DB auto updated the other day. I am running the desktop app on 2 machines, an M3 and M4. Both the same OS. After the update, the M3 lost the BLUE Sync icon when syncing and then the GREEN icon when synced.
Nothing has changed on the machine other than DB update. Now the M4 machine is running fine. No issues with the BLUE or GREEN icons.
I did some research and it was suggested to remove any apps like ONE-DRIVE so I did remove it on the M3 but that didn't help. I also have ONE-DRIVE on the M4.
So I need this fixed as I work off of DB all the time and need to know what it synced, what is being synced. So if anyone has a fix - that would be awesome.
If there is a way to install the previous DB app that did work and turn off auto-update, that would be great. It is a little concerning that DB automatically updates its app without my permission and if there is a glitch that can corrupt or erase all my files, that could be a major issue. Glad this glitch is only the icons but it could be worse so I don't think DB should do auto-update.
THANK YOU!
26 Replies
Honestly I donât think itâs anything on our side. Got on my computer this morning and my M3 was working fine. I didnât do anything. Went to bed last night, not working and then today working. So my M4 now wasnât working this morning. So I quit DB app, then changed the name of the drive. Launched DB, went through the setup to re-sync. Changed the drive name back and then synced. The blue icons still didnât show up until I rebooted. Once I logged back in I did a force quit of the Finder after DB was running and then it showed up.
This is a FRIGGIN JOKE! The sync icons came back over the weekend and now this morning they are gone again on my M3. Machine was on all night - was fine last night when I stopped working @ 9:30.
Wow if DB is this unstable with something this simple then is this service trustworthy for our files?
Oh and now I just got an email from DB about AI power. MAYBE they should be working on what doesn't work before they introduce more things that WON'T WORK!
- Dell_Dropbox
Community Manager
J-Reacherâ sometimes things just need to work the way we expect them to, so I completely understand your response here. I took a look into your support case and saw that your issue has been escalated so it can be investigated thoroughly.
But beyond your individual case, you've made larger points about how changes are implemented and shown the effects of how they impact customers. You highlighted the need for more control over which version of the app you're using, and we'll take your feedback and raise it to the appropriate team.
Well if something as simple as this becomes an issue which still hasn't been resolved then how can a customer rely on their files being on your server?
This has been an issue in the past - not with me but with other customers. I have used DB for many years and never had an issue until now.
But if this is going to become the norm - where things just happen and you guys don't know why then it worries me about the trust I have with my files being on your server.
So after my computer has been on all day - I just rebooted and now on my M3 - the sync icons are back.
WHAT A FRIGGIN JOKE!
Check for a ghost FileProvider domain registration at
~/Library/Application Support/FileProvider/com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/Domains.plistIf present, it causes Dropbox to disable garcon on every startup. Removing it and re-enabling garcon via sudo pluginkit fixed sync icons for me.
