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Latest Dropbox Intefering with MAC Android USB Transfers

Wanted to share that I kept getting 'No devices found' type messages from both Android File Transfer and OpenMTP, the tools I use to do Android transfers using a USB cable. After a lot of research I discovered that Dropbox can interfere.

As soon as I quit Dropbox my phone got detected and I could do transfers. The hint came from OpenMTP itself that provides a diagnostic message about a list of Applications that can interfere.

Specifications:

- Apple M1 Ventura 13.0.1 (22A400)

- Android Pixel 6A

- Dropbox Version v163.4.5456

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Comments

Megan

Hi @PZ_01, I hope you're doing well!

Based on what you described, it sounds like this is a third-party app issue. We'll definitely keep it in the back of our heads, however this isn't something that's stemming directly from Dropbox, therefore we can't provide a resolution to it.

I'd suggest that you quit Dropbox when you need to transfer content, and resume once you're done.

I hope this clarifies.

Skarsgard

Can confirm. I had the exact same issue and have to quit Dropbox in order to allow a connection to my Android device (in my case an Oculus) using Android File Transfer or OpenMTP.

Specs:

- Apple MBP Intel 6-Core i7, Ventura 13.1

- Oculus Quest

- Dropbox v163.4.5456

Skarsgard

"it sounds like this is a third-party app issue" "this isn't something that's stemming directly from Dropbox"

I've tested this with 3 different apps and they all work flawlessly, once Dropbox has been closed.

PZ_01

> Based on what you described, it sounds like this is a third-party app issue. We'll definitely keep it in the back of our heads, however this isn't something that's stemming directly from Dropbox, therefore we can't provide a resolution to it.

It seems that there is a misunderstanding. The official Android File Transfer application works flawlessly WHEN Dropbox is turned off. If Dropbox is turned on the device is not recognized anymore. Please help me understand what you mean by 'third-party app issue'. This behavior exists with other MTP-type clients and closing Dropbox allows the connected devices to be recognized. It seems unlikely to be something related to different clients failing to discover the devices?

storkinsj

Yes, this is obviously Dropbox.

The same application that seems to ask me if I want to back up files to dropbox every time I insert a USB stick? Apparently this is as disrupting to Android File Transfer as it is to users.

I attempted to disable the notification in the backups when an external USB device is loaded, but that did not fix it. It does turn out that you can launch dropbox AFTER you've established trust between android and the mac but if it's loaded beforehand it blocks.

The worst thing about this bug is it's almost impossible to figure it out. We have a lot of software running on our macs and it just doesn't seem like they would interfere with this.

Because dropbox digs its tendrils into everything, we have this problem.

Walter

Hi all, could you try the following and let us know if the issue persists?

1. Restart the Dropbox app on your computer and try doing the whole thing again.

2. Restart your device.

Thanks!

PZ_01

Hi Walter, I still face this issue. At this time all I can do is restart my computer and close Dropbox before engaging in transfers.

Walter

Thanks for the nudge on this @PZ_01

I just wanted to mention that the only work-around at the moment is to close the Dropbox desktop app before starting the transfers.

Our team is aware of the issue and are looking into this.

We'll let you know more as soon as we have an update.

Thanks for flagging this!

xtomiff

Hey Megan

Your "synchronize on LAN" feature is blocking the Android File Transfer App. Please make the feature so that you can change the port.

alan_feedwire

Hey Walter,

It's been a few months. Any updates?

I'm having this problem also.

Walter

Hi @alan_feedwire - sorry to hear about this.

Could you please clarify your device's exact OS version and the status and version of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your menu bar?

alan_feedwire

I'm on Sonoma 14.3.1 and Dropbox 192.4.4605.

Nancy

Hey @alan_feedwire! Just to clarify, do you have the camera uploads feature enabled on your Dropbox desktop app?

If yes, can you disable it, and let me know what happens?