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New version of Dropbox completely broken, need to revert to previous version.
I got a new MacBook Air 15". Used Migration Assistant. Something updated Dropbox. Everything is broken.
Specifically:
* The Dropbox.app application when launched does not open the app, but opens a Finder window to the new storage location (with no path to show where that is, but I found out from a web search).
* There is no Dropbox icon in the menu bar.
(Together those two things mean there is NO way to interact with or affect Dropbox's behavior, at all.)
* Because of a successful migration I have a complete copy of my Dropbox director and files in ~/Dropbox (where I want them; I use symbolic links in critical locations like ~/src, ~/bin, ~/.setup, ~/.bash_profile, ~/.bash_aliases, etc. to invoke folders and files stored in ~/Dropbox).
* Because of the CloudStorage location change I am *slowly* accreting a duplicate set of Dropbox files and folders.
(This is a problem, because there's only so much space on the boot volume, but I am NOT going to delete my old files while craziness is affecting the Dropbox app and these replacement files.)
The Dropbox app is 177.3.5380 (I can tell from the Finder).
This is macOS 13.4.
I'm leaving on vacation in a few days and just want my ~/Dropbox folder to properly sync across machines. Please help.
If it's really not possible to get Dropbox to behave like before, simply syncing my Macs, it'll be time to take Google Drive seriously.
27 Replies
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Thanks.
Colin got back to me with the following instructions which resolved the issue:
To resolve this issue, I am going to provide you with steps to reset the Dropbox application settings. This will not affect or remove the files in your Dropbox folder.
Note: Please be sure to take note or take a screenshot of any Selective Sync settings you may have applied prior to re-installing as you will need to re-apply these settings after this process.
First, please save and quit all programs accessing files in the Dropbox folder, and then follow these instructions:
1) Open your Terminal app (Located at /Applications/Utilities/Terminal)
2) Copy and paste the following line (highlighted below) into the Terminal and press ENTER. PLEASE make sure you copy and paste this command (don't type it by hand), as getting it wrong could cause some harm. You'll be prompted for your computer's admin password (not your Dropbox password) after entering the first command. Keep in mind that the password field in the terminal will remain blank as you type your password. After you type it, just press ENTER. You'll know that these instructions complete normally once the initial line of text (called prompt) comes up again:
sudo mv ~/.dropbox ~/.Trash/dropbox.old
Please note that once the prompt displays, the instruction completed the requested task. If the command returns an error, or does not respond after an hour, you may want to try restarting your computer and trying this step again.
3) Restart Dropbox from the Application folder, then please sign in and apply any Selective Sync settings you may have had prior to this reset during the sign in process. Your account will take a few moments to reindex the files and sync any pending changes.
The Dropbox migration to a new location on OSX broke all my links.
"It would have been helpful if you could have migrated these links."
Please see below...
Ticket #22616602: DB: links break
Marcus, Sep 4, 2023, 7:56 AM PDT:
Hello Michael,
Thank you for your quick reply.
If I understand correctly, you have an idea regarding also migrating aliases during the upgrade process to the Dropbox Desktop application for macOS
We're always looking for ways to improve Dropbox. We regularly release new versions of our products with better performance, additional features, and security enhancements.
The best way to have your idea reviewed by our development team is to visit our Share an Idea board. This board allows you to post new ideas or add your vote to existing ideas from other users. Share your ideas here.
We appreciate your contributions with helping us unleash your creative energy.
Thank you for using Dropbox, and have a great day!
Kind regards,
Marcus
Michaelf, Sep 4, 2023, 7:36 AM PDT:Hi Marcus,I understand that"Due to the change of the Dropbox folder location, files that were previously linked in some third-party applications may need to be linked again."However these are not files linked in a third-party application.They are files that were linked through OSX - the Mac's own operating system - that need to be relinked.And there are hundreds of them.It would have been helpful if you could have migrated these links.Just a comment, I will have to do it....thanks,Michael
Marcus, Sep 4, 2023, 2:51 AM PDT:Hello Michael,
Thank you for contacting Dropbox Support. My name is Marcus, and I’ll be more than happy to help you with your issue. So let's get started!
From what I gather by your description, you are having an issue with the Dropbox Desktop application update for macOS.
As part of the Dropbox for macOS on File Provider update, the Dropbox folder must be located in ~/Library/CloudStorage.
Some other things to note about the Dropbox folder location:- Changing the location of your Dropbox folder is no longer supported by macOS.
- Due to the change of the Dropbox folder location, files that were previously linked in some third-party applications may need to be linked again.
- Storing your Dropbox folder on an external drive is no longer supported by macOS.
- Your Dropbox folder in Finder will now be found under Locations and no longer under Favorites.
- Individual folders can be moved from your Dropbox folder to Favorites for quick access.
Learn more about what to expect with Dropbox for macOS on File Provider.
Please keep in mind that I'm only an email away so feel free to reply to this message, letting me know if you have any additional questions, and we can take it from there.
Kind regards,
MarcusI don't even know where to begin with the mess that dropbox is. Dropbox "controlled" my Downloads Folder, and when you look at the paths (whatever they're called) Dropbox was always the first item in the path (eg Dropbox --> imac / or Dropbox --> imac -- Downloads).
In any case, this became so confusing and hard to control MY OWN DOCUMENTS. I unlinked everything, and let my paid membership lapse.
But nope. It still controlled my downloads folder. How? (don't answer, I don't care anymore)
So downloading my content off the dropbox cloud became actually impossible
I literally had to delete my entire download folder and the downloads alias.
Now, I have a new shiny download folder, all my files under my control and ZERO dropbox involvement.
I won't be back. I'll file share some other way. Used to be so simple dropbox, but you turned into a **bleep** show.
Controlling my personal Mac is some big brother **bleep** right there.
It's more feasible to get rid of Dropbox.
yep. the list gets longer.
the only way I could solve my "new" dropbox issues was just to get rid of it completely.
