macOS Monterey 12 - Couldnt Start Dropbox

I've tried the official and latest beta Dropbox installers (https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-desktop-client-builds/bd-p/101003016), nothing works. The .dmg simply won't open. I tried to BatchMod, CodeSign, DeQuarantine them... nothing helps.

And Dropbox won't launch in Monterey either. Before you say it, yes, I did close everything before in Processes, allowed Dropbox app in security preferences, as well as Full Disk Access, Files & Folders (which is greyed out in Monterey, but Dropbox can be seen as ticked) and Accessibility (which is also greyed out in Monterey, but Dropbox can be seen as ticked). And Macbook restart.

Still nothing works. Won't install. Won't open.

Please help. Thanks.

Hi Jay,

The Security & Privacy protocol worked for me. I rebooted and bingo -- all systems GO !m Dropbox immediately started and synched.

FYI-- Running macOS 12.1 Beta version (21C5021h)

Full Disk Access was already checked. Files & Folders was grayed out but indicated Dropbox checked and Full Disk Access.

Accessibility was not checked. I checked; rebooted and Voila! success.

I will continue to explore on my other Mac and my iPad Pro 5th Gen running iPadOS 15 beta

Jay's protocol worked for me. FYI-- I downloaded the dropbox.dmg download that Hannah (Dropboxer) listed the proceeded with the n Security & Privacy protocol Jay listed above and after reboot, Dropbox worked fine and synched immediately.

Update. Strange twist. Synching does not work (after the initial start) during the continuous operation of Dropbox (macOS 12.1 beta). After I had completed the Security & Privacy protocol Jay (Dropboxer) had listed and then rebooted Dropbox opened and synched previously uploaded files. However, uploading new files from iPadOS 15 to Dropbox worked just fine but the Dropbox on macOS 12.1 beta did not synch these new files. Go figure.

Same here - it FINALLY WORKED omg FFS

1. I downloaded the installer from a third-party source (https://www.computerbild.de/download/Dropbox-Mac-5857819.html) and NOT FROM DROPBOX WEBSITES - official and beta Dropbox installers are not working so far with Monterey, because I think Apple thinks Dropbox is not a trustworthy developer. And worse, it doesn't even give you the choice to clear Dropbox in security preferences (as it does usually), even after Batchmoding the installers in Terminal or with 3-party apps.

2. Anyway, then I followed Jay protocol (like I presumed in the first place, it's a Sudo permission issue...), to unlock Dropbox

3. FINALLY Dropbox.app in Security > Files & Folders was UNCHECKED as a result, and I could then CHECK it like you guys said

4. I followed Jay protocol again, just to make sure Sudo permissions were still in the green for these folders

5. I rebooted (I might have rebooted after 2. though, can't remember exactly)

5. It works!

You guys should really sort this out, millions of users will be in this situation as they upgrade to Monterey.

Cheers.

Ok sorted here > fix: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-installs-integrations/macOS-Monterey-12-Couldnt-Start-Dropbox/m-p/555500/highlight/true#M112714

shinbeth,

I find that when Dropbox is running that any new file Syncs are stalled. When I restart/reboot Mac then Dropbox opens and the backlogged sync files are then executed. However, any new syncing operations that follow are again stalled until another reboot/restart of Mac. I followed Jay protocols: (1) Security & Privacy checks and (2) Terminal "sudo" but I did not do an Advanced Install (which is posted under "Cant' start Dropbox in Monterey". Quirky.

Hello,

I try several manuals that is mentioned in this thread. But I still I can't install - I start installer - it shows in monitor activity for like three sec and disappear and Dropbox app des not show anywhere :(. 

Please help.

hrabenka In my case I found out it was a permission issue, whenever I would Batchmod the .app it would not start again.

But every time I reinstalled it worked, so now I don't touch the .app anymore, and it both starts at startup and works all fine.

Hope it can help you.

I installed the latest beta version of Dropbox; followed Jay protocols; unselected my Photos folder (strange sync error message when no photos in folder); restarted; Dropbox app opens and seems to process any backlogged files stalled in syncing. I tested uploading files from my iPad Pro 5th gen running iPadOS 15. No problems there. Dropbox app on my iMac running macOS 12.1 beta indicated a red number indicative of sync in progress. Strange though, the app doesn't register the activity under either the Activity or Sync columns. However, a short time later the files appear in my Dropbox icon. I'd bet there are still some bugs lurking in the Dropbox app regarding handshake and recognition protocols.  Uploading files from Dropbox on Monterey  (iMac) to iAnnotate folder in Dropbox app processes but does not register in Activity on my Dropbox app (iMac) but when I open the Dropbox folder and go to iAnnotate folder the files are there. Go figure! At this juncture, I'm leaving (almost) well enough alone until the Dropbox app is fixed. BTW, I notified Apple via Feedback Assistant regarding the Dropbox syncing issues.