Greetings community! Previously, I used to be able to see my Mac represented on my Dropbox as a folder (I had enabled the backup option). This was super convenient because I could easily access my files on-the-go using my Dropbox iPhone app. However, due to a computer issue, I needed to wipe my MacBook Pro clean and reinstall everything (including Dropbox). I enabled backup for my MacBook. However, now, it doesn't show me the MacBook folder like it used to. So I can't access my files on the go. It shows me that I have backed up my files and I am able to see them through a web browser. However, the folder representing my MacBook (backup) has stopped showing on Dropbox. Is this due to some update in how backups work now for Dropbox on Mac? How do I get the backup folder to start showing up on Dropbox again. Thanks!

Jay wrote:This was the behavior of the old Dropbox Backup feature. After an update to the feature, the backups are now only visible on the Dropbox site. It isn't possible to revert this change.Is it a joke? I can't access my desktop data from the iPhone or iPad App? What a stupid idea. The whole Dropbox behavior is awful on a mac. We pay for the service and it gets worse and worse with every update.

Our company uses Dropbox across all devices, precisely because our employees could see anything in their documents folder wherever they were, on any device. We just got hit with this when we "updated" Dropbox Backup. Lost access to all Documents folders and files on anything other than the computer itself. BE WARNED: this will happen even if you tell Dropbox you DON'T want to remove the files. This is beyond irritating. The main reason we used Dropbox was so we could access our documents anywhere, anytime, from any device. Moving things to the Dropbox folder is NOT a solution, since Dropbox sometimes lags and crashes. All we wanted was the ability to view Documents folders remotely. Pretty please, either move the backup function back into the main Dropbox "files" folder, or find a way to make the "backup" files accessible on all Dropbox apps and linked devices. The service becomes almost useless (for us) without it.

I agree with the poster above.. this has made things very troublesome by not allowing everything to be read via the mobile app. I understand the principle of having the major "backups" be in a different segment of dropbox.. but it shouldnt be that hard to access all the files. Maybe inside the regular current Dropbox app, feature a button that allows up to actually open the files that are in this "backups" section? OR maybe create another "Dropbox Backups" app that will allow us to remotely view these backup files without having to go thru the browser?

Yes, I think the posters above understand this. It's just that the developers _took away_ a feature (access to backup files via iphone or ipad) that was very useful before to many people, without any appreciable benefit....

Hello Rich,thanks for the quick answer, but i want use my Desktop files on other devices. This was the normal behavior in the past (4-5 month ago). Now Dropbox launch a "Backup" App and we can't use these files on other devices? Sorry this is stupid. I have enough real backups. I don't need another online backup for my desktop files. Why did Dropbox change it?Since i join the Beta versions on my main mac, Dropbox is not anymore the tool i want to use.

How to view Backup folder on DropBox app?

26 Replies

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Briskola
Collaborator | Level 8
6 months ago
Please write here alternatives to db backup if someone can find them, thanks
JJ2024
New member | Level 1
11 months ago
dbox_This is ridiculous. I just had to re-create a new account and spent over a month uploading almost 2TB of backup files. Then I spent longer organizing some additional folders I added. I was so excited once it finished. Now I’m just realizing you took away the only feature that made your app worthwhile.
Has anyone found a useful alternative yet? I was just about to pay for a yearlong subscription. I’ve been using it for 6 years.
ara1
New member | Level 2
12 months ago
Hidbox_ please change this. This is a bad idea. It feels like a deal breaker. Why would I pay all this money to not be able to access my “backup” files on mobile? I hope it changes soon. Otherwise I’m sure many of us will look for alternatives (particularly given the interface is already not top of the class).
mbriney
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Correct Tim .. Its a major letdown and pain in the rear end to be honest. Please go to this link and vote to show your support to get things back to the way it should be. Or at least implemented in a user-friendly way for us to get simpler access to the features were paying for.
https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/View-dropbox-backups-on-app/idc-p/772933#M83899
Tim
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
I'm late to the parrty, but just realized that I could not find any of the files saved on my iMac via the Dropbox app. Everything worked prior, now it's just gone, and I have to access it through the browser. Is this a joke? Is there not a way to toggle this feature? So basically I have to drag everything from my desktop to a folder, then continue to save that way? And the folder has to be a Dropbox Folder. I have no idea who signed off on this idea, but its implementation is terrible. And please don't call it an "experience." It's an unwanted change.
paoloa
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
I've updated backup software and got into the same problem. Any news on reverting the backup folder visibility?
user1993
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
This is such a disappointment. This is one of the main features that made the app useful. Doesnt really provide much value to have files stored when you cant access them. Time to find a new solution. Try Sugarsync.
petegold
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Thanks Hannah.
Please ask your team to fix this fast!!
It affects the entire way I run my business!!
It's super unhelpful that Dropbox have changed this functonality.
Spushor
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
I’ve got the same problem. Dropbox sent me an update. I had to do a back up and they screwed it all up now. I can’t look at my back up Desktop on the IPhone Mac due to a file change now called back ups. Dropbox pull this number on me at midnight on a Saturday. I was tired now that the backup took a long time. They totally screwed this up shame on Dropbox you ruined the product and I’m gonna have to go to elsewhere or do something else. How do I get the file called Dropbox/backup/Mac to show up on my Dropbox iPhone app it doesn’t the product is useless
Rich
Super User II
2 years ago
Donald Newman wrote:
Am I correct that were I to add my Documents folder to Dropbox and not have it in Backup that I would then no longer be able to see files I place in the Documents folder in Dropbox in my Documents folder on my computer?

If available to you, use the feature in your operating system to move the Documents folder to a new location, and move it into your Dropbox folder. That's how the old backup feature worked. It didn't back up your Documents folder in its original location. It MOVED your entire Documents folder into the Dropbox folder so it could sync.

If you have the ability to move the Documents folder in your OS (i.e. like you can in Windows), just move it to Dropbox and you've recreated the old Backup feature functionality.