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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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This worked for me!
This problem happened to me too. The Dropbox upgrade has been nothing but trouble.
- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Richard O.3, I hope you’re doing well.
Just to clarify; did you upgrade your OS to macOS 13.3, and you’re still having this issue?
I'd like to bring up again the issue I'm having, where I can't get the Dropbox context menu to appear when in Finder's search results. Can anyone else confirm whether this is happening?
Cmd+shift+spacebar- Search for something in Dropbox
- Right click something in the results
- Do you see Dropbox items in the context menu?
A recent update to MacOS 13.3.1 (22E261) seems to have fixed the issue!
- Megan
Hi diethylether, how are you today?
Can you try what NL8 suggested, and let me know if this solves the issue for you?
I just upgraded to the latest version of Ventura and it does not solve the issue. I still cannot get the Dropbox features in the context menu in Finder search results; I have to select Show in Enclosing Folder first.
- Hannah
Hey diethylether, would you mind trying these steps, to rebuild the Spotlight index on your computer, to see if that helps?
It's more simple to try the opposite. Keep Dropbox files synced on Mac. Open System preferences/spotlight. Drag and drop the HD/SSD where Dropbox files are to Privacy. Restart the machine. Open system preferences again and delete the volume from Privacy prefs. Mac will rebuild the spotlight. Take a coffee because it's take time. After rebuild, Mac OS will find files inside Dropbox folder correctly.
Hi Hannah
I rebuilt the index and repeated the process.
Dropbox items still do not show up in Finder search results context menus.
