Spotlight Search Doesn't Link to Files in Dropbox in macOS 13 Ventura

[dsnidey]

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. Now when using Spotlight to search (I often type something like 'drawings folder' to open a folder called Drawings) the results in Spotlight show the Dropbox app icon beside the name of the item I want (rather than a Finder icon for folder or file). Hitting Enter or clicking on the result switches to Finder and does nothing, or sometimes will open the Applications folder and show the Dropbox app. It's not linking me to the actual file in ~/Library/CloudStorage. 

I have done the following and the problem is not solved:

• Restarted
• Ensured all files are available for offline access
• Rebuilt the spotlight index
• Unlinked Dropbox from this Mac, did a complete clean install of dropbox, performed the upgrade to v159.4.5870 and synced just one folder to begin

Nothing works. Any suggestions??

[dragononamac]

this solution does not work - I had to uninstall, remove everything, then fresh install and this time I am ignoring the update message in my dropbox dropdown menu - voila! spotlight will work, search works properly, you can select an external drive too, etc.

[dragononamac]

thanks - did this and it works

[dragononamac]

I confirm - this is THE only solution right now until Dropbox fix this

[minpi]

discovered prity interesting option today:)

https://mountainduck.io/

You can use it with Dropbox as well without using Dropbox software at all.

[planche]

This [the post marked as solution] has not resolved the issue. 

Problem persists; seeing the files in the list of results, with a Finder icon, and unable to open them... frustrating!

I suppose using the 'old' Dropbox (not updating) could do it, but that does not feel right. 

Has anyone else successfully tried the mentioned 'solution'? To me, this thread is still unresolved!

[minpi]

It is unresolved. There is no solution. Use old Dropbox App

[jj2023]

I have had the problem mentioned here and your suggestion got the problem half-fixed.

system: macbook pro, macOS 13.2.1, DropBox v167.4.4719

Initial problem: Spotlight searches failed to find files in ~/Library/CloudStorage/DropBox (These are files that are "offline", i.e. locally stored.)

Partial solution: I rebuilt the Spotlight index. (https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT201716)

Good Results: Spotlight searches now find files in DropBox!

Unresolved problem: When I go to the DropBox folder in the Finder and use the Finder search box in that window, searches fail on contents and name searches. (These same searches work fine when NOT limited to the DropBox folder.)

Note: In the terminal, the DropBox directory appears to be a symbolic link. 

Question: Is symlink the problem? Does Spotlight fail to recognize a symlink as a searchable "folder"? Is there a way to limit a Spotlight search to the DropBox 'folder'? thanks!

[eheilner]

I have tried re-indexing but Search is still not working.   Can you please make the previous version of Dropbox available to MacOS users until such time as this is fixed?   Thanks!

[dragononamac]

Re-indexing won’t work (some people falsely believe this works)

Dropbox themselves published that it won’t work and yet their staff on these forums deceive us into attempting these futile attempts to resolve

Just fix the software Dropbox or give us the old version it works fine, not sure why you changed it you’ve created many more problems to a solution nobody asked for

[kohji]

Okay.

So this discussion here started in last November. So many users here have complained about the changes.
The only way available to get Dropbox work as it was previously is, to uninstall, reinstall, then “keep it from being upgraded to the version for Ventura”.

I guess Dropbox engineers will not want to fix this issue.
I (or we) just want Dropbox guys announce either of “we are aware of the issue and trying to fix it”, or “it's the new specification and you'll have to accept this behaviour”. However, after three months since this thread initially opened, there is no such announcement from Dropbox.

I think I'll have to switch from Dropbox to other service(s) very soon.