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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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Thanks. Tried, doe not make any difference.
Tried this and it made no difference 😞
Hi all,
We are suffering some of colateral effects to upgrade the new mac experience of Dropbox. 😕
https://help.dropbox.com/installs/macos-support-for-expected-changes
Searching through Finder won’t find all content in your Dropbox folder.
- Searching through Finder will only find online-only files or folders that have been previously accessed on your device running Dropbox for macOS.
- Only file names will display in these search results, not the file contents.
- This will also affect features that depend on searching through Finder. For example, Smart Folders.
- Search using Spotlight isn’t affected.
Not being able to search inside folders is also very annoying.
And Search using Spotlight IS affected.Hope Dropbox fix this soon!
- Searching through Finder will only find online-only files or folders that have been previously accessed on your device running Dropbox for macOS.
Hi, I have a problem with Dropbox app on MAC - M1 - after typing desired file in Spotlight it shows me the desired file name but with Finder icon next to it, instead of icon for pdf or doc file, when I click on file to open it, nothing happens. To view the file I need to go to "Search in Finder" then I can access them. I cant go directly from Spotlight and open a file. Tried to run Mac in safe mode and there is no problem with spotlight then, uninistaled the dropbox and all was fine. My OS is Ventura 13.2
- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi jotemel, how are you today?
I merged your post under this thread, since others had expressed the same inquiry, and I want to keep everything at the same place.
Could you clarify the Dropbox version that you have installed on your device?
Feel free to have a look at what others have suggested, and all the troubleshooting steps mentioned, and let me know how it goes.
Thank you!
My Dropbox version is v167.4.4719
Tried this and it didnt help my case at all
Same thing after reinstalling Dropbox app
I do have exactly the same version on Ventura 13.2, BUT (!!!!) I didn't update as Dropbox prompted me to do so. And I am still a happy user..Do not update. It will break your system.
- How do we downgrade and prevent auto upgrade?
I did explain it here on this thread many times. Anyway I am not sure if Dropbox team didn't change something since then. My version is the same as by other users, but Dropbox prompts me to update after I do a clean install (unlink, deinstall, download, install, sync) So I DO NOT follow it..and everything works fine as usual.
