Unable to download desktop app

[mk9y]

macOS Ventura 13.0

I had trouble syncing, so I deleted the app and the DB folder.

Now I can't download the desktop app. On Safari I go to https://www.dropbox.com/downloading the download doesn't start, even when I click on restart the download. On Firefox I have multiple failed attempts to download Dropboxinstaller.dmg

[Walter]

Hey @mk9y, sorry to hear about this.

Could you try the offline installer from this page and let me know how it goes?

If the issue persists, you may need to clear your browser's cache or try an incognito window. 

Keep me posted anyhow!

[mk9y]

Problem persists when I try the offline installer on Safari before or after clearing caches, or using a Private window

[mk9y]

The problem is much bigger. I just got off the phone with Apple. It turns out that this is an issue known to Apple. Apparently Dropbox Computer Backup has locked the Desktop, Downloads, and Dropbox folders. I see locked aliases, and can't tell where they're pointing. Presumably I can't download the current version of DB because the Downloads folder is not available.

[Megan]

Hey @mk9y, can you let me know your app's syncing status while we speak?

When you visit your Events page, do you see any deletions happening there?

[mk9y · Accepted solution]

I'm running a MacPro (2019) with Ventura 13.0.1 (22A400).

I now understand much more. Dropbox offered me the option of backing up my Desktop, Downloads, and Documents folders. I had accepted this option. In trying to fix a sync problem, I deleted Dropbox with the intention of reinstalling. That left the three folders as aliases pointing to an unknown location. This is why I couldn't download. That's a relatively minor difficulty: you tell Safari to use a different folder for downloads.

I solved the problem by creating a new user, installing Dropbox and not taking the options mentioned earlier. I think sync is now working. Time will tell.

Dropbox cost me days of work, and I'm angry.