"Dropbox won't start" message on MacBook M1

[WT2100]

DB won't start on my M1. I migrated my user from a time machine backup. I found old references to rebuilding permissions through the DB app, but the app won't stay started, so that doesn't work. I tried re-installing the DB app and that didn't help either. I've updated to Big Sur 11.1, and still no luck.

And suggestions?

[Jay]

Hi @WT2100, thanks for messaging the Community!

When you reinstalled the app, did you perform an advanced reinstallation, using these steps?

If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try it and let me know how it goes?

[WT2100]

Step #4 says

"Delete the remaining Dropbox system folders"

What does that mean? Content folders, or something in the library folder or something else?

[Jay]

These would be the folders the Dropbox desktop application installs itself on, generally in Windows machines. On a Mac device, deleting the app itself from the Applications folder should be enough.

[NotAnExpert]

Hi Jay,

Thanks for posting this information here and for helpfully listing the link to advanced reinstall instructions. I followed the instructions posted at that link and still saw the "cannot open" error message on my laptop. Could you suggest other steps? I'm not a computer expert by any standards (I just know how to use my standard software) and am hoping some new steps have been introduced by Dropbox since this past was first created.

In case it's helpful, I am working with the new Macbook Pro with the M1 chip and have a professional plan for my Dropbox. I use Dropbox pretty heavily for work and resolving this (or figuring out that Dropbox is incapable of working on M1 chip) is a high priority right now.

Thanks so much for any help you could provide.

[Jay]

Hi @NotAnExpert, the advanced reinstallation should've helped. 

If you're still getting the error message, and have a Dropbox Professional plan, try contacting the support team directly for further assistance on this matter.