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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. No...
- 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.
I'm referring to the pinned solution at the first page of this thread. It should not be pinned as it is misleading.
It is showing v168.4.4802 now. It is the same version as before and after the "macOS 12 upgrade". The upgrade moved the files to a new directory and Dropbox appears in Finder, under Locations. Dropbox also started indexing the files after the shift but after that, Fnder search also stopped working.
NL8, you are correct that dsnidey's pinned solution should NOT be pinned, as those user's instructions make things worse. These exact steps I outlined undid the further damage caused from following dsnidey's incorrect instructions or updating Dropbox.
What you just shared about how clicking on "Update Dropbox" prompt AFTER installing from the Stable Builds page shifts files into "Locations" suggests the steps I outlined may be the best solution for now. To summarize what you need to do:
- Update Dropbox only using the latest Stable Build. This should put your Dropbox files into the old /Users/[Username]/Dropbox/ folder. This seems to play well with Spotlight.
- After you've done this, do NOT click "Get Started" when prompted to further "Update Dropbox." If you do, all your Dropbox files will move to the /Library/CloudStorage/ folder, which renders Spotlight search useless, even if you try to reindex.
This seems to be the best solution until Apple and/or Dropbox fix the issue with Spotlight indexing files in the /Library/Cloudstorage folder. I'm now on v168.4.4802, and everything works fine as long as I don't allow Dropbox to shift my files to the /Cloudstorage folder.
NOTE: I have also noticed that my Box files also no longer index properly once moved to the /Cloudstorage/ folder. Therefore, this may not be specific to Dropbox, but rather, an issue with MacOS not indexing ANY /Cloudstorage/ folder properly.
I am on 168.4.4801 and it works fine IF you DO NOT UPDATE!!! Anyway as this Spotlight issue occurred, I was on v163.4.5456. It means Dropbox Team updating this software continuously. Fortunately you can still get a version, wich puts all the data in user folder. As I did it this update already 3 times collaborating with Dropbox team and it broke my system 3 times, I am not going to do it once more again:)
DO NOT UPDATE YOUR SELF! Ignore this notification till it will be fixed
Dang it. What if I updated thinking everything was going well, and now I'm stuck with the new version that can't communicate with spotlight.
Can we switch back to the old dropbox version that works with spotlight??
Note to self; don't update before doing due diligence that updates don't screw things up.
Yes you can. There a lot of detailed explanations on this thread.
- I am having the same problem.
RaeS
Yes you can revert it.- Uncheck all your folders in selective sync.
- Wait and check they are gone from computer
- Unlink your Mac/log out in Dropbox app
- Delete the Dropbox app.
- Download Dropbox from their website again
- Install like normally.
- IGNORE THE UPDATE NOTIFICATION MENTION A COUPLE POSTS EARLIER
Works fine!
- Uncheck all your folders in selective sync.
How can we mark for example your post as a s o l u t i o n for somebody, who will be the next one here? It looks like Dropbox team is not interested to help an ignores their customers completely. They could just switch off this update - notification, till solution will be found and this would stop growing this thread continuously. As I am already few months here, nearly each week there are coming new customers telling the same thing - it doesn't work for me as well, can I revert, etc.
