Turning on dropbox backup but folder name is weird

[tjanderson]

I had tested the Dropbox Backup feature in the past so I know that when turned on my Computers should be added as My Mac (Unique Mac Name). I decided to turn it back on again when setting up two new Macs that I have but the backup now creates the folders as just  Mac, Mac (2), Mac (3)

I've gone through the steps of unlinking Dropbox from each computer. Checking their names in System Preferences and also in the Security tab of my Dropbox account. The computer names are correct in Dropbox but the backup feature is still creating the folders as just Mac

[Daphne]

Thanks for getting back to me here @eperadam.

Since the backup folder can only take the name of the device when it's enabled, that's why we suggest unlinking the device from the Dropbox account, so it can be reconnected with the correct device name.

Unlinking the device from your account will indeed stop the app syncing, but it won't delete the files from your Dropbox account online, or locally on your computer.

I would just say to make sure that the app is showing "up to date" in the sync status, and that it's not trying to sync files before you unlink the app.

[sprocket003]

I'm having this issue as well. Tried all these steps and still it's naming it "Andys-MacBook-2" because previously there was another "Andys-MacBook" on the network. I've since renamed the second computer and removed the 2 but Dropbox is still naming the backup folder with it. Can't figure out a solution.

[Daphne]

Hi @sprocket003!

Can you clarify for me, is it showing this on the original backup folder, or did you re-enable the backup after renaming the device and it still shows the old name?

[eperadam]

If i Rename my mac, the folder doesnt refreshing...

[Chris lutje Spelberg]

The way Dropbox reacts to this stupidly implemented solution and the way they focus only on more distracting 'features' I decided to cancel my subscription. 

All the best

[Lusil]

Hey @, eperadam, could you let us know if you unlinked the desktop app from your account?

What does the Security tab online show in regards to your connected devices?

[eperadam]

Yes, I did this, but the result is bigger problem than before: Dropbox created a another My Mac, and start the bacup again, from the beginning. Now, I have two My Mac, with the same files/ docs. The Problem is solved, but this solutions is so bad. 

[tjanderson]

The device names registered in my dropbox are

[Hannah]

Hey @tjanderson, thanks for reaching out and sorry for the delay!

It seems that this change was implemented to simplify things with the computer backup folders.

The folder of the first computer that is connected to the account is named 'Mac' and the next one 'Mac (2)', etc. 

This cannot be changed at the moment and the folders cannot be renamed.

Let me know if you have any questions!

[tjanderson]

Hi @Hannah,

Thanks for the confirmation this is expected behavior now.

Please pass along the feedback though I think this is a bad design choice and really doesn't simplify anything.

In my use case I have three different macs all with backup enabled. Which one is Mac or Mac (2) or Mac (3)?

If I'm on my iPad and know that I need to get a document that was saved in my iMacs Document folder - which Mac folder would I go to?

The previous setup where it would be Mac (Device Name) made these scenarios easy but giving a generic name makes it somewhat unusable unless you only had a single Mac or maybe a single Mac and single PC.

At this point I will turn off the backup features from Dropbox as I can't use this as is.