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iMac - Stop Using Dropbox

Biggles07

Hi All, I'm at my wits end trying to get my files back off DropBox and onto my computer. Clearly I've accidentally allowed DB to 'sync' my stuff. Now, despite it not being true, DP says my account is full and I must pay to continue. I don't need a paid service and want to get back to a pre-DB status. I've read 10's of posts about this and still cannot find a route that doesn't leave me wondering if I'm about to lose everything with one click of the mouse. The problem shows itself as follows:

The DropBox file structure in Finder lists my whole computer as the top of the tree, with Documents, Downloads and Desktop sitting below. Each of these folders has a combination of green and blue circular icons (I assume these mean DB has the files?). I just want all my files back on the computer and all trace of the service removed. I have already got rid of the few shared folders I had (BTW: this did not reduce my storage despite the indication that it would). Please can anyone help with non-jargon instructions for an iMac running Catalina? I do have the App - but I cannot close it or bin it ('cos its always open). Also can't seem to be able use it to get into any settings. Very grateful for any help with this - too many hours trying....... Simon

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Chris_J

Hello Biggles07

Thanks for reaching out here in the Community. Sorry, you are confused and having issues. Dropbox is a syncing tool so whatever that is inside your Dropbox folder syncs to the Cloud (Dropbox Servers) so if we have you unlink the CLient from your iMac, then no more syncing will take place, then we can uninstall Dropbox CLient, then all will be the same as before

First, go here: https://www.dropbox.com/account/security then find your iMac in Devices, click the trash icon and this will unlink your iMac from your DB account. Then you can delete the Client, first by quitting the application. You can do this by clicking on the Dropbox icon in your menu bar on the top right-hand side. and click on your avatar (pic) and select quit. This will quit the Dropbox Client.

then lastly, you can go into your Application folder, and drag the Dropbox icon into the trash. Then you will not see any badges, etc.

All comments

Chris_J

Hello Biggles07

then lastly, you can go into your Application folder, and drag the Dropbox icon into the trash. Then you will not see any badges, etc.

Biggles07

Hi Chris, many thanks. Yes, that did it. I feared clicking the trash icon in the web version because it implies total deletion (poor HMI? Should be a tick box?) Used Force Quit to finally get rid of the app and send it to trash. Now have pre-DB situation for which I'm very grateful - thank you. Regards, Simon

Chris_J

Thanks, Simon

Sorry to see you go, Dropbox has made my life easier but I've been a lifetime user from the beginning. I understand about the trash symbol. it used to say unlink which I think they should've kept that way. I will share your experience with them

NielsWantsOut

Unlink is a million times better than a trash can!!!!!!!!!! Listen to that, Dropbox - your regular users are confused and you don't care. That is why I am now trying to leave Dropbox.

LynnAJ

hello Chris,

are you available to help me?

LynnAJ

I need to cancel the Dropbox cloud Backup tool and restore everything back to my MacBook Pro operating system asap.

I am missing my Desktop, Downloads, and Documents, plus I have lost functionality in my Finder Folder.

Please help. This is urgent.

Chris_J

Hello Lynn

I will be glad to. Please let me know what issues you are a having. and please be specific, what OS you are using,

Thank you

LynnAJ

thanks!

Your message to the person ahead of me was exactly what i needed to disconnect my MacBook Pro 14".

I'm on Monterey v 12.5.1 now.

So, i've gotten part of the job done.

Disconnected my laptop from DB.

I still want to use DB as i did before....sync and then use the app locally to quickly access everything i store in DP.

But now, my Mac still does not have the 3 folders that were removed, and my Finder is not operating.

I cannot create a New Folder, for example

Error message every time.

(I'm about to call Apple Support again, but they won't support me with any issues created by DB)

I no longer have the 3 main folders that DB "removed" from my laptop either: Desktop, Downloads, Documents.

I have no idea how to restore those from DB.

Do you?

Chris_J

Thanks Lynn for getting back to me here. Lets see if we can get this fixed. Have you rebooted your Mac recently? if not, its seems it needs a fresh restart.

If you go to your Dropbox preferences, (click on Dropbox icon in menu bar and click on avastar and select preferences) then click on manage Backups, a dialog box shows, does any of the folder has a check box checked on?

also, those backup folders should show up inside your Dropbox folder, usually the folder is named after your Mac name. Lets see if it has been deleted for some reason, go to your Web interface, click on Dropbox icon in menu bar, and click on the world icon that will open up your default browser and you will see Dropbox folders, on the left hand side panel, you will see the wording of 'Deleted Files', click on that and there will be a list of deleted files. Keep in mind Dropbox only saves 30 days worth of files that have been deleted. Has it been 30 days since you had these folder missing? if so, I afraid there is nothing can do. (if these folders were deleted)

I hope this helps you. Let know how things went

Chris_J

Lynn

I forgot to let you know a few facts on how Dropbox and Dropbox Client works. When you open any folder or a file that are in your Dropbox folder, its an literal folder on your Mac. All Dropbox Client does is watches for changes within Dropbox folder or from Folders that has your permission to modify or backup (ex: Desktop, Documents, etc). So when you have finder issues or have errors regarding creating folders, etc, then its is NOT Dropbox issue but its with your Mac.

Good day

LynnAJ

Hey Chris,

Yes, i just re-started.

And downloaded the DB app again for the 10th time since Sunday when all this trouble started.

The Folders I need are definitely in tact on the Dropbox web, so that's great.

Nothing seems to be lost there, I just can no longer view them or even create them again on my laptop.

Maybe Apple Support can help me if you don't know of a way to restore them to my mac from DB?

LynnAJ

yes, ok, that's understood.

I'll go to Apple Support next. thank you so much, Chris.

Chris_J

okay, i think i know whats the issue is. If you know for sure that the files and folders are there on Dropbox servers (the web interface, I would personally, rename the Dropbox folder thats on your machine. I think the client is being confused about the folder thats already on your Mac.. Go to your user folder and you will find Dropbox folder HD/(username)/Dropbox

rename the folder, or you can drag the folder to the desktop and reinstall Dropbox. Then it will or should download a Fresh newly created folder and download everything to the folder anew.

once everything is working and to your satisfactory, you can delete the older Dropbox foler
Hope this helps

Chris_J

if you still having issues with the reinstalled Dropbox See this article https://www.dropbox.com/help/syncing-uploads/stuck-syncing

LynnAJ

it sounds a bit scary just because I'm unfamiliar with some of the terminology here, Chris.

Do you mean that i can literally drag a folder from the web version of DB to my laptop/desktop here?

"find Dropbox folder HD/(username)/Dropbox

rename the folder, or you can drag the folder to the desktop and reinstall Dropbox."

LynnAJ

also, Chris, does DB prefer Safari to Chrome or vice-versa?

It actually seemed to work better when i tried it on Chrome earlier, but that could be a coinkydink. 😃

Chris_J

Lynn

what I meant is the actual Dropbox folder on your Mac, I am assuming that you have the Desktop Dropbox Client installed. I was wanting to make sure you have all the folders that you were searching for by going to the web interface (Browser). Any browser will do.

on your Mac, you have a Dropbox folder. Dropbox CLient watches for any changes and syncs these changes to Dropbox server (aka The Cloud) (Browser)

I was wanting to make sure there is no Dropbox folder on your Mac when you reinstall Dropbox client. (App) When you install the app, it will create a Dropbox folder in your user folder on your Mac. When I stated to drag folder to desktop, I was suggesting that you make a copy of the Dropbox folder or rename it, I don't want the reinstallation to 'find' a Dropbox folder. I wanted it to create a new Dropbox folder and redownload all folders and files from Dropbox Servers

I hope this helps

LynnAJ

ohhhhh, thanks for clarifying that and yes, i have the app now on my mac.

and i see the dropbox folder in the mac applications folder, as well as in my menus, top and bottom on the desktop.

so now i can proceed to the next thing and meanwhile, i have a call with Apple Support to iron out the other issues.

thank you very much.