We’re Still Here to Help (Even Over the Holidays!) - find out more here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Should I upgrade to File Provider on my second Mac?
I have been using Dropbox for a good number of years. However, I'm still an older, make that mature ;) LOL, beginner in Dropbox and many tech matters.
On my main desktop Mac, I see in Dropbox Preferences that I'm eligible for File Provider but it appears that I have not used it. I assume but only vaguely remember making a conscious decision.
Now I'm just setting up a new travel Mac from scratch (not migrating or transferring files) and on that Mac it says in Preferences that I'm using File Provider and gives a link if I want to opt out.
Do I want to opt out of File Provider on this second Mac?
I don't know what File Provider does but I'm guessing that both computers should be set the same to either not use it or use it.
FWIW, I have sync state set to Available offline and I use Dropbox for all my docs/files but also use a backup program (CCC).
I see that the Dropbox folder location on the two Macs is slightly different though they are running the same Mac OS (Sequoia 15.5)
Would appreciate and need some help from Dropbox experts.
Thank you
Hi norm3, thanks for messaging the Community!
Dropbox on File Provider utilizes Apple's updated File Provider API to more deeply integrate with Mac OS.
It is usually available for newer Mac devices and OSes, and it doesn't matter if another device on your account isn't using File Provider.
You can see some of the changes that come with File Provider on this page, and it is entirely up to you if you do want to upgrade to this version.
If you need any further assistance, please let me know!
13 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
- Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
That's correct, it's better not to upgrade if you like where the files are currently located in Finder.
The link to opt out should work fine the way you described, or you can follow these steps as well.
Regarding losing files on your Dropbox account, there is always a possibility that one can lose their files, since the Dropbox folder is just like any other folder on your computer.
However, you should be able to recover them within your version history, provided that they weren't permanently deleted from your account.
Thank you very much. Very helpful.
All of my files are in HD/Users/Norm/Dropbox
So if I like where my files are located in the Finder, I should not use File Provider on my new computer. Correct?
If correct, the install selected File Provider but provided a link to opt out. I assume that is not a problem to do so?
And for the paranoid, as I add my new travel Mac to Dropbox is there any possibility that one can lose their Dropbox files?
Thanks again.
- Jay
Hi norm3, thanks for messaging the Community!
Dropbox on File Provider utilizes Apple's updated File Provider API to more deeply integrate with Mac OS.
It is usually available for newer Mac devices and OSes, and it doesn't matter if another device on your account isn't using File Provider.
You can see some of the changes that come with File Provider on this page, and it is entirely up to you if you do want to upgrade to this version.
If you need any further assistance, please let me know!
