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obsidianspider
20 days agoExplorer | Level 4
macOS Sequoia 15.5 - Getting a message that "The application couldn't be found", after an update.
I've been a Dropbox user for many years. Within the last few months, whenever Dropbox automatically updates on my Mac currently running macOS 15.5 I've noted that in Finder I will see a message above files in my Dropbox folder of "The application "Dropbox" could not be found." and nothing will sync, even though Dropbox is running.
Rebooting my Mac seems to resolve the issue as everything works properly after a reboot and the message is gone in Finder.
This seems like a recent bug as Dropbox didn't do this for many years on my Macs.
I'm not sure how to prevent the issue from happening the next time an update rolls out, or what to do to "fix" this as an end user other than a reboot. It's not the end of the world, but it's a regression and is a bit annoying.
24 Replies
- Megan20 days ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey obsidianspider, let's see what we can find about this together!
As a first step, can you hover your mouse over the little Dropbox icon in your menu bar, next to your WiFi, and clarify which version you're using?
What is the app's syncing status when this behavior happens?
If you could also send me a few screenshots of the message you get after the update, that'd be great.
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
- obsidianspider20 days agoExplorer | Level 4
Right now it's version 227.4.4774, but I noticed the problem with the last few updates.
When the problem is occurring, files are not syncing. New files placed in the Dropbox folder when the problem is happening have a little cloud icon with an exclamation point (!) in it.
After I reboot my Mac the error message is gone and all files sync as they should.
The problem just happened today and I already rebooted, so I won't be able to recreate the issue until the next software update, but I can post a screenshot then. - Megan19 days ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey obsidianspider, thanks for the speedy reply!
I'd definitely appreciate it if you had the patience to wait, and provide me with a screenshot when this reoccurs.
Also, one more thing to keep in mind: if you see the same message again, try searching for the Dropbox desktop app on your Mac's applications to see if it comes up with any results.
- obsidianspider19 days agoExplorer | Level 4
Thanks for being so response. I'd be happy to get screenshots and double-check that Dropbox shows up in the Applications folder the next time the problem shows up. Based on past automatic updates I'm guessing it will be a few weeks until the next one comes through.
Maybe in the interim someone else will see this and can share their own screenshots. - Walter19 days ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Keep us posted anyhow obsidianspider
Until then, take care!
- Ken7419 days agoNew member | Level 2
Same problem here. Dropbox app syncing status says "Your files are up to date". The Dropbox app does appear in the applications folder. As the OP described the cloud icon next to a newly copied file has an exclamation point in it and the file does not appear on my Dropbox account. At the top of the finder window it says it can't find the Dropbox app.
To fix the issue rather than rebooting if I just quit the Dropbox app and then reopen the Dropbox app things work fine again.
- Nancy19 days ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Sorry to hear the same thing is happening to you too, Ken74.
Do you mind sending over a full screenshot of what you see in your computer’s Dropbox folder, so that I can investigate this further?
Besides the .jpg file that’s not currently syncing, do you see the cloud icon with the exclamation mark for any other types of files?
- kidhkgg16 days agoExplorer | Level 4
I have the same problem. On Finder window, it appears "The application "Dropbox" could not be found". My dropbox is running but not syncing. I do not see the green check icons, but I do see the cloud icon with the exclamation mark for those files that is not being synced. This is resolved by quitting Dropbox and re-lauching. But it comes back after a few sleep-wakeup cycles. This problem started several weeks ago.
I'm on M3 Macbook air with MacOS 15.5.
- Nancy15 days ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Sorry to hear you’re having the same issue, kidhkgg. Besides restarting the Dropbox app, did you also try reinstalling it and it didn’t help?
Does your desktop app report that it’s up to date, or does it show a different syncing status?
- 9elfer6 days agoExplorer | Level 3
I have the same issue... brand new Mac Book Air running Sequoia 15.5.... lost all day to trying to install dropbox, deleting, reinstalling, absolutely nothing works when trying to run the app and access setting.
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