Photo Library not reachable on macOS after Dropbox sync

[Mirna D.]

Hello all,

I am running MaCos Ventura 13.1. I have both iCloud and Dropbox storage for my photos (call me paranoid if you like :-). I like the ability to select a photo from the photo library when I compose messages in Apple mail, for example. Since a few days ago Dropbox application announced that they wish to move files into a new space and I authorised it. Since that time the application icon shows that it has problems syncing with the cloud files and neither photos nor spotlight work. Thank you for your help ! 

[Hannah]

Hey @Mirna D., thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Can you send us a screenshot of the message you mentioned on the application icon?

And if you try to rebuild the Spotlight index, does that help?

Cheers!

[Mirna D.]

Dear Hannah,

many thanks for your help ! Rebuilding the spotlight did not help, since the Photo library is greyed out in the choice of files to + or _ in the Spotlight privacy. Here is the screenshot of what happens when I try to open the Photo Library. It says that the Photo Library is in Dropbox and that I should move it back to Mac to able to open it. Best wishes ! Mirna

 

[Jay]

Hi @Mirna D., as it seems you're on the new version of Dropbox for Mac OS, Apple no longer allows Photos Library to be stored over cloud-storage services, so you'd need to move it to your local storage.

[Mirna D.]

Many thanks Jay. This is what needed to be done and it works now

[Jay]

Glad to have helped out, If you have any further queries in the future, feel free to message back.

Enjoy the remainder of your week!

[Heather11]

I am having the same issue - after the Dropbox upgrade, when I try to open the photo library, it produces an error, saying “Photo library is in Dropbox and needs to be moved to a folder on your Mac to open”. How do I move it to a folder on my Mac? I’ve tried to copy and paste Photo Library to my Mac folder, but it just gives the same error. I’m running Mac OS Monterey 12.6 Thanks in advance!

[Mirna D.]

Hello,

Jay's advice worked out for me. Just move the photo library out of the Dropbox folder (unfortunately this means that the photos are not saved on the Dropbox an more). To do this, go to finder and search for the photo library.

   Best wishes, Mirna

[Heather11]

Thank you - will do!

[awgd]

Hi there. I am also having this issue but the frustrating thing is that my photo library is not inside of dropbox. It's in its normal location on my system but it is being backed up to dropbox backup and sync. Can you please advise? I just upgraded to the new version of Dropbox for MacOS.

Upon digging around a bit further I see now (after I've updated to the new Dropbox app) that my Pictures folder is no longer in its normal location and is showing as a shortcut to Dropbox.

I will let the update re-index my files post-update (33,000 more to go!), restart my system, and see how it's looking then.