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Dropbox folder shows as 0kB when using Time Machine to back up on an external drive.
When I create a Time Machine backup on an external hard drive using macOS (latest version), the Dropbox folder with the synchronized data is displayed correctly only on the original Mac. As soon as I...
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorHey Reinke, let's jump right into this!
As a first step, can you check and confirm if your content is syncing as available offline before you backup your folder using Time Machine?
Also, if you simply try to copy an example folder from within your Dropbox folder to your external drive, without using Time Machine do you notice the same behavior then?
Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!
Thank you! Yes, the data is also stored directly on the iMac ("offline"). As long as the hard drive with the Time Machine backup is connected to this computer, I can see that the backup is performed correctly, and all the data is on the hard drive. The Dropbox folder is approximately 1.5 TB in size. However, as soon as I connect the hard drive to another Mac, the Dropbox folder is displayed with a size of 0 kB and cannot be opened (while other folders like Pictures, Documents, Downloads, etc., are completely visible as normal). Any ideas for help?
- Megan
Hey Reinke, when you connect your hard drive on a different device, do you view its contents directly from the drive itself, or do you copy them over to your Mac?
Also, do you get a specific error when you try to open your Dropbox folder? Also, have you tried copying an example folder without using Time Machine, by any chance?
Hey, I’d like to revisit this issue since it’s still not resolved. When I connect the hard drive to another Mac, I can open it with a double-click and access the respective Time Machine backups. I can see all the data (Library, Applications, System, etc.).
Under “Users,” I can see the Dropbox folder, but it’s not accessible. The information shows “0 bytes” for 1 folder. I don’t get an error message; I just can’t open the Dropbox folder, which appears empty. On the original Mac, I granted access permissions for everyone (Read & Write).
Could you provide further assistance?
- Rich
Super User II
As long as the hard drive ... is connected to this computer, I can see that ... all the data is on the hard drive. ... as soon as I connect the hard drive to another Mac, the Dropbox folder is displayed with a size of 0 kB and cannot be opened
Could this simply be a permissions problem for the Dropbox folder on the other Mac? It can't be opened and appears as 0 bytes because the user account on that other Mac doesn't have access to the folder?
I ask because, typically, if you don't have access to a folder, you can't open it and since it can't be opened to see the files inside, there's no way to see the size of those files, resulting in a folder of 0 bytes.
