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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 cause an error. For more information, click the help button below.
I tried to remove dropbox using instructions on the website and re-install using advance install and still see the error.
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 133.4.4089
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 51
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 523bf589-eb29-56d6-9beb-1631aa56ce2b
pid: 1077
ppid: 1
uid: 501
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='amirnathoo', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Amirali Nathoo', pw_dir='/Users/amirnathoo', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='amirnathoo', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Amirali Nathoo', pw_dir='/Users/amirnathoo', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')
euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/amirnathoo'
appdata: '/Users/amirnathoo/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/amirnathoo/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/amirnathoo/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/amirnathoo/Dropbox'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/xq/rpxg71x17dj4ylbw_svqhdjc0000gn/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/xq/rpxg71x17dj4ylbw_svqhdjc0000gn/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 808, in wrapper
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6497, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 307, in _wrapped
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6030, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5954, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 226, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 280, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 222, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 152, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 217, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 587, in _init_new_engine_locked
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 185, in __init__
File "desktop/extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> fchflags syscall: _set_hidden |>> Permission denied"
please assist
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:
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen
- Select "System Preferences..."
- Then "Security & Privacy"
- Select the Privacy tab
- Select "Full Disk Access"
- 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)
- Repeat these steps under 'Files and Folders' and 'Accessibility'
- 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.
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Thanks Amiralin, this method worked for me. Thanks!
Dear Dropbox Team, can you release a fix to solve this issue systemtically?
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?
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.
This worked for me as well. Not sure why since it had been working fine for a day or so on this new mac. Either way...this helped. Thank you.
Hello everyone!
I have the same problem on my Mac. Someone can help me (in Italian would be better).
I already followed the different suggestions, but no one worked for me.
Concerning "permissions" I do not have the possibility to click on the Dropbox icon for accessibility and disco.
What can I do?
THIS WAS THE SOLUTION! thanks.
after Monterey upgrade, accessibility was still check for dropbox, but NOT full disk access.
Thank you - that worked.
- If your settings are greyed out then try clicking on the lock icon at the bottom try clicking on it to unlock and enter your password. It will give you the option to enable it. The you can Enable the options provided in the solution.
For me this worked like a charm, thanks a lot!!
Hi Hannah have same problem with mac monterey. I have tried everything. Is there any further help you can provide please
