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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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have to wonder if some unwanted attention on the socials might elicit a different response from the DB powers that be?
I contacted Dropbox Team per Facebook and got quite quick respons. But it was a PM message, not some artical about this issue. Probably it would be a good idea to post something on their FB wall and to see if it will be deleted imediately.
According to my latest exchange with the Dropbox support team, this issue of Spotlight not indexing should be resolved in MacOS 13.3. We'll see.
If you haven't already, upgrading should solve it? Does Ventura 13.3 is already available? I guess I use a latest one which is 13.2.1
As far as I'm aware, MacOS 13.3 isn't available yet, which wasn't clear in the Dropbox support response.
Yes, I checked it out. It seems it could be be available in 1-2 weeks.
JoePL wrote:As far as I'm aware, MacOS 13.3 isn't available yet, which wasn't clear in the Dropbox support response.
macOS 13.3 RC (Release Candidate) has been available for developers since Wednesday.
Here, it seems like the version fixes the issue that Spotlight won't index files and folders under ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/ .
Yes, as I mentioned, the Dropbox support rep suggested 13.3 fixes the Spotlight issue. Curious to hear if you or anyone can confirm Spotlight + /Cloudstorage/ folder indexing is now working correctly?
JoePL wrote:Yes, as I mentioned, the Dropbox support rep suggested 13.3 fixes the Spotlight issue. Curious to hear if you or anyone can confirm Spotlight + /Cloudstorage/ folder indexing is now working correctly?
On 13.3 RC (22E252), I have confirmed it by the following steps:
- Making sure I have the newest Dropbox v170.4.5895, from "General" - "About Dropbox"
- Making sure my Dropbox folder is located as ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox, and ~/Dropbox is now a symbolic link to that
- Making sure that there is no Finder window currently opening a folder under the Dropbox folder
- Making sure the whole Spotlight index is deleted and rebuilt, by issuing the command sudo mdutil -E /
and I can say it perfectly operates with Spotlight + (new location version of ) Dropbox, just like it did in the pre-Ventura years.
I guess the 13.3 Final will be released within a week or two.
Could you confirm please that under 13.3 there is possible to lokate file or folder with control + click direkt from spotlight search? Thank you in advance
