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amiralin's avatar
amiralin
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Solved

Couldn't Start Dropbox - macOS Monterey

After installing the new macOS Monterey I am getting the below error  Couldn't start Dropbox This is usually because of a permissions error. Storing your home folder on a network share can also c...
desktop
Error Messages
Setting up the apps
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    5 years ago

    Hi everyone, with the macOS Monterey update (macOS 12.0 and above), some stricter permissions have been enforced by Apple which have probably led to the issue you are experiencing.

     

    The following steps should help to resolve this behavior:
     

    1. Click on the Apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen
    2. Select "System Preferences..."
    3. Then "Security & Privacy"
    4. Select the Privacy tab
    5. Select "Full Disk Access"
    6. Under Dropbox, ensure that all the folders are checked. (To make changes, you will need to click on the lock icon, and enter your macOS password)
    7. Repeat these steps under 'Files and Folders' and 'Accessibility'
    8. Once you've completed this, please attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app


    If need be, a reboot of the Mac itself would also help. 

johnneet's avatar
johnneet
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago

Followed instructions, was unable to make changes to "files & folders".  DropBox label in faded mode. Locked and unlocked several times, rebooted several times, unable to make changes. Remains in fade mode. No issues with changing privacy and accessibility access.  I rebooted computer and DropBox loaded and synced with no error message.  Retried to make changes in "files and folders" with same lack of result. Test loaded files, seemed to be able to do so on about ten files I checked, but it seems that the loading was a bit slower than before. Dropbox seems to work ok at this point without being able to change the permissions on "files & folders" (remains unchecked). 

 

Security concern that DropBox is able to access files and folders WITHOUT permission. Am I missing something here?

johnneet's avatar
johnneet
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago

I think I answered my own question.

Solution 1-I was only able to change the settings in "files and folders" if I unchecked permissions for "full disc access". Changed order pf instructions and changed settings in "files and folders" first after unchecking "full disc access". My assumption is that if you give permission for "full disc access" that probably gives permission for "files and folders" as well, so he additional instruction may be superfluous.

Solution 2-On a Mac forum, the instructions are to give permission for "full disc access" and "files and folders" and "accessibility" are not mentioned in the instructions. Tried it and it worked as well.

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