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Spotlight Search Doesn't Link to Files in Dropbox in macOS 13 Ventura
After upgrading to macOS Ventura, I was prompted to upgrade to "Dropbox for macOS 12". I proceeded with that, it moved my Dropbox folder to ~/Library/CloudStorage and confirmed all was successful. Now when using Spotlight to search (I often type something like 'drawings folder' to open a folder called Drawings) the results in Spotlight show the Dropbox app icon beside the name of the item I want (rather than a Finder icon for folder or file). Hitting Enter or clicking on the result switches to Finder and does nothing, or sometimes will open the Applications folder and show the Dropbox app. It's not linking me to the actual file in ~/Library/CloudStorage.
I have done the following and the problem is not solved:
- Restarted
- Ensured all files are available for offline access
- Rebuilt the spotlight index
- Unlinked Dropbox from this Mac, did a complete clean install of dropbox, performed the upgrade to v159.4.5870 and synced just one folder to begin
Nothing works. Any suggestions??
- That’s the same problem I had. I solved it by doing a complete clean install of dropbox. You may not need to do all of this, but to be safe, in Dropbox settings Selective Sync uncheck all of your folders and wait for them to be removed from your Mac. Once that’s done, unlink your Mac from Dropbox preferences. You should see the Dropbox getting started screen. Quit Dropbox and move the app to the Trash. Remove all dropbox files from ~/Library being careful to look at the path name. Only remove things that are within a Dropbox parent folder. Look in library application support, and library preferences. Empty the Trash. Restart your Mac. Reinstall Dropbox from dropbox.com. Once reinstalled, to make things faster sync only one small folder and wait for the prompt that new Dropbox for macOS 12 is available. You should see the message within a few minutes of reinstalling Dropbox. Allow it to upgrade and migrate your files to the new location. Once that’s done you can then sync all your folders. Let your Mac index itself and the problem should be solved.
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After these struggle, Dropbox folder location has changed AGAIN.
I didn’t realized that alias linked to the old Dropbox archive.
But it’s good for me that I can choose the default folder location.
Well.
The worst thing is this change doesn’t contribute for the contents search issue.
@Rikymonty
I followed your procedure of the uninstallation of Dropbox using AppCleaner, reinstallation of the Dropbox, and keeping it from being updated. I also deleted the Dropbox folder under ~/Library/CloudStorage/ as well as a symolink link (or “alias”?) to the folder located at my home folder.
However, the freshly installed Dropbox (from the official website) seems to be the version that uses CloudStorage, so even if I don't manually update the Dropbox version, the default folder location is already at: /Users/myusername/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox
According to the Dropbox Preferences window, the version is v166.4.2920.
... after several struggles, I completely gave up the beautiful Spotlight-Dropbox integration.
Instead, I installed Alfred, one of the Spotlight alternatives. It does work flawlessly what the Spotlight + (old) Dropbox did.
Until the Dropbox fixes this nasty issue, I think I will be using Alfred instead of Spotlight.
Interesting. I reinstalled it 4 times and each time got an old version, but - it has the same number you mentioned - v166.4.2920. And all my data is saved to my user destination (not Library/CloudStorage) I won't do it any more and wont accept any changes! I guess Dropbox cannot move my files on my machine without my permission.
I you would like, I could send you an installer which led my installation to the previous version privately, but any way it is just 943 KB. It is just a tool, which downloads a whole version. The question stays open - why the same number results v166.4.2920 a different behaviour? Does Dropbox team decided to go forward with a buggy version ignoring all the users complains?
“This version of macOS requires Dropbox folders to be stored here:”
My macOS is Ventura 13.2.
... so the downloaded part (of the installer) already detects the macOS version, and automatically forces the data to be stored under the ~/Library/CloudStorage ...?
I am on Ventura 13.2 as well. A only difference I noticed - I am on Intel MacBook Pro. Does it make a difference by M1, M2" & Co??
dear hannah,
nice try, but - in case you have not tried yourself - reaching out to 'support' is either one of the dumbest chatbots ever or being pointed to a (this ?) forum.
so wtf ... ?
so if this is 'support' i don't have trouble reaching it ... it just does not deserve the name.
c'mon ... this is a problem either many thousand of you clients are currently encountering - in which case many of you guys should be working on it (keeping us informed about the progress).
or it's a stupid little something just the 20 of us in the forum are having and you should be able to help us quickly.
so which is it ?
tia
You are so right! Dear DropboxTeam - stop experimenting with your users. You know exactly - a last update is a huge disaster. Any way- you continue asking your user to contact you? What for? To read your instruction which doesn't help at all? Time is not on your side…I would like to remember - there are many paid users as well...
Hannah ,
From the replies on this thread, it is fairly clear that most people are facing this issue.
If it isn't fixable due to the nature of the folder on the Mac, you need to tell your users.
Dropbox support is a chatbot that doesn't understand this issue, or the community - which is where all of us already are.
