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Forum Discussion
Clarification re sync on macOS 10.13
Hi.
On July 13th, I received an email from Dropbox (my emphasis):
Starting in July 2025, Dropbox will begin limiting support for macOS 10.13–10.15.
Unless you update your OS, this means you’ll be switched to a lighter version of the Dropbox desktop app at that time. You’ll still have access to core features like syncing and sharing files, but some advanced desktop options will no longer be available...
I have been a paying customer of Dropbox since 2013. I use several old Macs running macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
When I click the Dropbox icon in my menu bar (as of August 13th), my Macs are now showing a message:
Dropbox is limiting support for macOS 10.13-10.15
To keep the full capabilities of Dropbox, upgrade to macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer – or access your files via web or mobile.
Learn more
The "Learn more" link goes to a document at help dot dropbox dot com slash installs slash computer-os-not-supported. (I'm obscuring the URL, as my previous post that spelled it out seems to have been deleted.) This includes (my emphasis):
We regularly release new versions... Periodically, we'll end support of the Dropbox desktop app for these operating systems. If you're running an older version of an operating system, you may receive an email notification from Dropbox explaining that it's no longer supported.
...
What happens to my Dropbox account when Dropbox no longer supports my computer's operating system?
... The Dropbox desktop app will stop syncing changes to your files and folders.
Note the large inconsistency between the email and help document.
At the moment, sync seems to be working for me. But would you please clarify:
- Have I been "switched to a lighter version of the Dropbox desktop app", as the July email explained?
- The help document suggests that Dropbox will end support for sync. However it gives no details about which operating systems are affected. Is Dropbox planning to drop sync support on macOS 10.13?
- If support is to be dropped, can I please have a rough timeline. Are we talking days, weeks, months or years?
I'm disappointed at this lack of care in communication from Dropbox over this core feature.
3 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
- Megane Racat
Dropbox Product Manager
Hi cssbz, thank you for reaching out.
Let me answer your three questions:- Have I been switched to a lighter version of the Dropbox desktop app?
Not yet. Your account will transition to the lighter version of the Dropbox desktop app on August 25th. After that date, you’ll still have access to core features like syncing and sharing files, but some advanced desktop options will no longer be available. - Is Dropbox planning to drop sync support on macOS 10.13?
No. Syncing and sharing files will continue to work. What’s changing is that Dropbox is limiting support for macOS 10.13 (High Sierra), macOS 10.14 (Mojave), and macOS 10.15 (Catalina). - If support is to be dropped, can I have a timeline?
There is no plan at this time to end syncing support on macOS 10.13–10.15. If that changes in the future, we’ll notify you directly and provide advance notice before any impact to your ability to sync files.
I also want to acknowledge your point about inconsistent communication between the email and help documentation. Your feedback is very helpful — we’re working on making this clearer so it’s easier for customers to understand what’s changing.
Thank you again for your loyalty and for sharing your feedback with us.
Best,
Megane - Have I been switched to a lighter version of the Dropbox desktop app?
Thanks for that -- so not to beat a dead horse, but it is just support that is ending for 10.13 - 10.15, not sync and share functions? V important to me since I have a number of computers one of which is on Catalina, and I do not want to corrupt the file syncing in the whole system.
- Dell_Dropbox
Community Manager
You read it right jrwilentz007, sync and sharing will continue to work. What's changing is we're limiting support.
