The app re-indexes all files after each restart on Mac.

Hey willmaupin! Did you end up trying Walter’s suggestion and, if yes, did it help you? 

If not, feel free to let us know so that we can further assist.

Feel free to take your time willmaupin - just keep us posted with any updates! 

Ok. I will most likely reply tomorrow then. I shut down each night and start up each morning. I have not rebooted the router but can do that. It is half-gig fiber and has been solid.

Would you mind turning all of those apps off temporarily as a test to see how it goes willmaupin?  

I'm assuming you've already tried rebooting your computer and internet router too - would that be right? 

1.94TB, 167,028 items. I use GoodSync to sync some ongoing jobs and CaptureOne databases to Dropbox. I initiate the syncing manually. I have Hazel (auto-sorts files) installed and running but have no rules set up yet so it should not be monitoring anything (I just turned it off). I have LittleSnitch installed but it's a network monitor. Oh - a CaptureOne database on Mac is seen as a single file maybe, whereas on PC it sees it as a folder of files. So on the Mac, one of my database files is 85GB but on the PC it is an 85GB folder with 300,000+ files in it. On the Mac I have to choose 'Show Package Contents' to see inside it. GoodSync sees inside the database and will only sync the individual files that have changed...

Once the app is 'up to date' you can try a Control/Command click on your Dropbox folder and check its properties to see the file count willmaupin 

While we're at it, can you clarify if you're running any 3rd party apps that could be monitoring, syncing or backing up your files somehow? 

It is more than 200,000 for sure. I am not sure how I can verify this. I try to catch the file count once indexing is done but I miss it by a minute or so each time. I have been syncing the same files (actaully almost 1TB more, but I have been trying to pare things down) on my Windows 11 machine for 2+ years without issue.

Hey willmaupin - thanks for the additional information you provided.

Can you let us know approximately how many files you're syncing on your computer via the Dropbox desktop app at the moment?

I'm only asking because you could notice a decline in the app's performance if you're syncing a large amount of files, namely more than 300,000 files. 

Hi, Dropbox version 228.4.5567. File Provider = yes, APFS encrypted = yes. The drive is hot-swappable, but I do not take it out or disconnect it. The first day of syncing it was in another dock. I wanted to move it to a dedicated dock so I shut down, moved it, and Dropbox did not complain.

Hey willmaupin​ thanks for posting here today!

Let me start off by apologizing if this reply is long, but I want to make sure we've got everything covered. 

It’s understandable to be concerned when Dropbox keeps indexing files repeatedly. Keep in mind that 2TB of content, is also quite the size for the app to re-index.

As a first step, can you clarify which Dropbox desktop app version you use on your end? You can find this by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon in your menu bar, next to your WiFi. I'm asking, because I'd like for us to make sure that you're not using a beta version.

Do you use macOS on File Provider, and is the external drive formatted as APFS and encrypted?

Is it possible that the external drive is disconnected and reconnected, which prompts Dropbox to re-index?

Looking forward to your reply!