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What is going on with Dropbox on MacOS? Spotlight and Finder don't work!!
Dropbox randomly updated to some new version and said everything is moving to Library/CloudStorage or something like that,
now I can't open files directly in Spotlight OR find using folder search in Finder (although global search "This Mac" works).
Biggest issues:
1. Searching using spotlight and clicking on it DOES NOTHING!
2. If I am in a folder within Dropbox folder on my Mac, and I want to search for a file IN that folder using Finder, it doesn't find any file if I search using the search box in Finder, I have to click "This Mac" to find files but it finds files from EVERYWHERE when I only want to find files from within that specific Dropbox folder that I am currently in
How do I fix this? I need this functionality working ASAP !
Moderated edited to remove swearing
Hi Jay,
Finally after 7 months of basically not being able to use my laptop I found the solution in another thread.
I have managed to fix this. (For reference, I have tried re-indexing Spotlight using command line, and does not work).
- Open System Preferences and go to Spotlight's Privacy tab.
- Add the entire hard disk INTO the Privacy list.
- Maybe wait 30s.
- Remove the hard disk FROM the Privacy list.
@davidarden also posted the solution in another Dropbox thread: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Create-upload-and-share/Dropbox-is-not-searchable-in-Mac-OS-Monterey-12-0-1/m-p/626720/highlight/true#M58591
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This upgrade is a disaster. As well as what you say, I now can't edit any files in Dropbox by pressing spacebar in Finder and adding text, numbers, signatures etc. Instead, I have to move folders out of Dropbox, make the changes, and move them back in. Looking for another provider.
- Mark
Super User II
This is a known an expected behaviour I'm afraid: https://help.dropbox.com/installs/macos-support-for-expected-changes
I am having the same issue. The other threads refer to Spotlight not finding files, which is different than my issue. I appear to have the same problem as OP. Files can be found, but they simply can't be opened, though. This how they look:
There is this weird scrunched Finder icon next to the file names. I can open folders, but not specific files. I tried changing my file type association back and forth, no dice. Tried rebooting, all the usual nonsense.
Dropbox v165.4.4300
MacOS 13.1 (22C65)
- How can I downgrade to the last version that worked properly? I don’t want this new version in cloud storage library folder I want it the way it was before
I just upgraded to new Dropbox version and search appears to be screwed. I can see my files, I can open them no problem. But if I enter *ANY* search criteria in Finder, I get empty results.
To add insult to injury, I tried reaching out to Dropbox chat support and I am told that it is an Apple problem.
Needless to say this is totally unacceptable. If anyone from Dropbox support is reading this, then please address this immediately. Otherwise I'm thru with Dropbox.
- Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey eheilner, since the Dropbox folder was moved to a new location, it needs to be re-indexed.
Can you please open the Dropbox folder, wait a little bit and then retry the search, to see if it works?
If not, you might need to re-index the entire disk.
Note: The article mentions the 'Documents' folder, but you need to use the 'Dropbox' folder instead.
Hi Hannah,
Thank you for the prompt reply. I tried your suggestion and re-indexed the Dropbox folder, but no luck. Search is broken.
In fact, if you look here: https://help.dropbox.com/installs/macos-support-for-expected-changes it specifically states that "Searching through Finder will only find online-only files or folders that have been previously accessed on your device running Dropbox for macOS."
Needless to say, this is completely and totally unacceptable, Search is a core function of any modern operating system.
Can you please make the older version of Dropbox available until such time as this is fixed. I hope this will be fixed, since otherwise I will need to find an alternate solution.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Dropbox Dash is a decent start, albeit buggy right now. I'm currently using Alfred, and am happy again.
Yet one more bit of weirdness. On the Preferences panel the new (broken) version is showing as v167.4.4719
But the old (working)version is also showing the SAME THING: v167.4.4719
What gives? I'm asking this because I need the old working version.
