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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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What's the solution here? Still having this issue and the response marked as solution has no-one responding / liking it which makes me believe it may not be working reliably? It's also quite the extensive undertaking , so would like to confirm that this actually resolves the issue before removing everything.
There is no solution at the moment.
Hi!
I'm update dropbox to latest version and now I have annoying isssue.
When I search something in spotlight search it finds it but I cant open folders, when I click on folders that find in dorpbox nothing happening.
Can somebody help me please 🙂
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Guntis1111, sorry to hear about this.
Can you let us know the version and exact status of the desktop app installed on your computer as shown in your menu bar?
If you could also send us a screenshot of how it looks on your end when you do this, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
I have Mac OS
Dropbox version
When try to open this folders what spotlight found nothing hepens.
I'll be very grateful if you help solve the problem because it is very disturbing to work.
- Walter
Could you download and install the latest version of the desktop app from this page and let me know if this persists Guntis1111?
Relatedly, I also can't AirDrop files to my Mac anymore. My Downloads folder is inside my Dropbox as I'm using Dropbox Backup, and now AirDropped files no longer show up -.-
...I will open a separate thread about that!I got the same problem.
Hi!
Version change to 162.4.5419 but no changes, still can't open folder form spotlight search.
- Walter
Thanks for the additional information Guntis1111 and sorry to hear you're also having issues with this ulba
Following the update where the Dropbox folder was moved to ~/Library/CloudStorage, Spotlight sometimes does not re-index the folder until after it is opened for the first time. You can simply open the Dropbox folder in Finder (it should be under Locations in the left sidebar), allow a little time for indexing to take place then retry the Spotlight search.
Another reason is that the Spotlight index may need to be rebuilt, carry out the steps in this article. Note that the article mentions the Documents folder but you need to use the Dropbox folder instead.
If none of the above steps help, please let us know and we can investigate further.
