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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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I'm having the same problem. I tried the fixes recommeded by Dropbox folk, but with no luck.
Here is a screenshot:
dominic k.2 wrote:The new Dropbox (files moved to Cloud) the MacOS Spotlight search in Finder "Search by current folder" option does not yield any results - when switched back to global spotlight search it yields results as expected. Bug in new system architecture?
I am seeing this as well. My default search is "Search the Current Folder" so I noticed this bug right away
Support dept suggested upgrading to Ventura 3.1
I did that and also 3.2 and it solved the problem yay!
(strange thing though. The system software update took wasn't able to locate the update. I had to force download a full installer)
Well, that was a small spark of hope.
But no.
I updated to Ventura 13.2 and still it does not work:
- Still, spotlight search only works, when excluding the Dropbox folder from Spotlight. Still, that does not make any sense at all.
- Still, when searching for files in the dropbox folder and applying CMD+Enter, the files (only when located in the dropbox folder) open (!) instead of the FINDER opening at the file's location (which would be the desired and normal behavior).
Taking into account the "handling" of that problem by dropbox, logics demands (at least for me): drop the box.
I cancelled my subscription. Ciao.
Does somebody from Dropbox team could tell me - WHY you decided to moved this folder and to change the all architecture? I red, an old version wont work with a new updates of macOS? But it does! And it works very well - as good as in good old times. I am lucky one who was still able to downgrade and I am not planing to update my Dropbox software any more.
how did you downgrade? Can you share tips on this as its breaking my virus scanner too (Bit defender) if you try to scan all files, it starts to DOWNLOAD ALL online files that you want to remain online, ITS MADNESS!
"Does somebody from Dropbox team could tell me - WHY you decided to moved this folder and to change the all architecture? I red, an old version wont work with a new updates of macOS? But it does! And it works very well - as good as in good old times. I am lucky one who was still able to downgrade and I am not planing to update my Dropbox software any more."
— Yea this is obviously BS, Seafile still uses the "old" architecture (no need to put your files into CloudStorage, put them wherever you want) and it works like a charm.
Please read my previous posts. Unlink, wait till files are removed, sign out, deinstallI, download, install, sync. I did it 4 or 5 times and it was successful. Just DO N O T upgrade immediately after that to the newest version. Any way I saw on this forum somebody couldn’t install an old version anymore. I did it a few weeks ago. Probably they changed something. I’m not sure it is because of this little installer file you download from the dropbox website or the content which will be downloaded and installed after you double click on this installer file. Anyway, here’s this original file on my privat dropbox, which led me to successful installation. Feel free to use/try it:)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sa1qb5wwhdbuq7c/DropboxInstaller-5.dmg?dl=0
