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Syncing even when the app is off
My dropbox is syncing on two different macs when the app is off. On the DB-preferences I have checked out starting the app on startup and dropbox is also not on the list of apps which are started whe...
Thank you for your patience. We are aware of this change that was introduced as part of Apple’s File Provider update. Dropbox will continue to sync even when the app is shut off. If you do not want the sync to continue in the background, you can select 'pause sync'.
We are currently working on a solution which is planned for release in Q3 this year. However, please note that this is a preliminary date and is subject to change.
Thank you.
Hi. Here is a screenshot of one folder after the restart (dropbox app is not on). System monitor shows couple of processes related to dropbox, and I guess these should be on. In the folder, there is a text file called dbtest230321 which I just made. It synced almost immediately to cloud and I can open it on my cellphone. As you can see, the icons after the filenames also show that the files are online.
I didn't quite understand, how should I take a screenshot of the app's syncing status while it is not on?
I've noticed that with the new Mac version, syncing takes place regardless of whether the Dropbox app is running or not. Given that, what functionality is added or taken away by running or not running the Dropbox app?
- Rich
Super User II
fssbob wrote:
I've noticed that with the new Mac version, syncing takes place regardless of whether the Dropbox app is running or not. Given that, what functionality is added or taken away by running or not running the Dropbox app?
Dropbox can't sync if the application isn't running. Are you sure it's not just running in the background? I'm, not a Mac user, so I'm not familiar with any differences that may exist between Dropbox on Windows vs. a Mac, but I know that it can't sync if Dropbox isn't running.
That used to be the case, but with the new version the syncing is at least partially delegated to the Mac File Provider API, which continues to run regardless of whether the Dropbox application is. I just watched as a Mac with Dropbox installed fully synced incoming changes with the Dropbox application disabled.
I observed it after using the "Quit" command from the Dropbox icon in the menu bar. I also observed it after starting up a Mac where "Start Dropbox on system startup" is unchecked. (I didn't mean that I had uninstalled the Dropbox app.)
- Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Do the files in the Dropbox folder have syncing icons when there are changes made? Does the syncing occur both ways (meaning adding a test file on the site results in it appearing on the machine, and vice versa)?
Yes, they have syncing icons. Yes, it goes both ways. And if I right-click on a file or folder, the normal Dropbox items are in the context menu.
I've already done that. Multiple machines. I strongly suspect it's a "feature" related to the new setup, not an install issue.
Sure, but I'm surprised you're having to reach out to me about it. I've observed it on three different, unrelated machines, one running Monterey and the other two running Ventura. It appears to be a "feature", and I can't believe you're not seeing it on any of your test setups.
