Can't find Dropbox in the applications folder

Hi @Genie123, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

On Mac devices, if an app is installed, it generally should be in the Applications folder. If it isn't there, but the app is still running, then it could somehow be located elsewhere for some reason.

Have you tried these steps to remove the app completely from your machine (without the reinstallation steps)?

This will help me to assist further!

Thanks Jay - I ended up doing a nuclear option recovery mode reboot/erase/reinstall of the OS, so I didn't get a chance to try the solution you suggest - good to know it's an option if I encounter problems in the future 🙂

No worries, glad to have provided some information for you at least!

I've just migrated from an Intel Imac to a new M3 imac. everything seems to be working fine, but I notice that I can no longer save anything to the desktop - I can see the file in the sidebar, but I can't save anything in it.

this isn't an icloud issue as I don't use icloud - it's switched off.

I have a feeling it's got something to do with the imac backup that I've also got on Dropbox? I can't think of anything else it would be.

thanking in advance 🙂

Hi @Genie123, thanks for posting today.

Could you clarify exactly what you're referring by not being able to save to your desktop?

Which programs are you using when saving? Are you referring to the desktop folder itself?

Any other info or screenshots would be helpful!

Thanks Jay - here's a screenshot of what happens when I click on the Desktop folder from the finder.

in terms of saving - I first noticed the problem when trying to save a word document locally, to the desktop of the machine I'm working on right now. I wasn't able to do that. so, for instance, if I'm in MS Word, I click 'save as', and then click the desktop in the sidebar, nothing happens - I just continue to see whatever folder I was in the last time I saved. does that make sense?

Genie

Could you check if the Dropbox Backup feature contains the Desktop folder, and any others, from this page?

yes, the My Mac back folder contains the desktop. I've tried moving it back to the sidebar but I just get another empty and inaccessible folder. i guess i'm doing it the wrong way (dragging and dropping)

i'd actually like to switch off backup - I gather it's more or less the same as Time Machine, which I"m already using?

Hannah

Hey @Genie123, if you'd like to turn off the Dropbox backup of your desktop folder, you can follow the steps here.

Let us know how it goes.

Hi Hannah,

that doesn't seem to be working. when I click on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, a finder window opens - but that's all. I can't see a Sync and Backups tab

hi again Jay, I'm still having problems. I am trying to follow the steps to uninstall Dropbox from my computer, but I can't actually work out where the folder is located. when i use the 'Go To' command from the finder (as outlined on the guidelines elsewhere on the community), I get the 'nope' chime - in other words, I can't find it.

I think the problem is linked to the 'my imac' backup - I mistakenly clicked this a while back and I really wish I hadn't, as it's causing all kinds of problems. I think Dropbox is actually in that folder somewhere, although I can't see it. The Desktop folder is in there too - I still can't save to it, although I can save to any other location within Dropbox.

Okay I finally found it! for some strange reason it was in the Music folder. it's now back in the applications folder where it belongs ......

Amazing news @Genie123!

If you need anything else, we'll be one post away. Enjoy your Monday! 😎

i'm still struggling to delete and unsync the imac backup - when I click on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, a finder window opens - but that's all. I can't see a Sync and Backups tab, which is where i need to be in order to get rid of the imac backup

Hi @Genie123, it sounds like you click the larger Dropbox icon, which opens your Dropbox folder locally.

Can you try accessing the app's preferences by clicking the little Dropbox icon, next to your WiFi on your menu bar?

If this doesn't work, you can also try your Backup page online.

yep, that's got me there:

neither Sync or Manage Backups seem to offer the options outlined here for deleting the My Imac backup.

Walter

Hey @Genie123 - sorry to jump in, but could you navigate your backups page online and let me know if you see the option to delete your backup from there?

Also, do you see the 'beta' tag next to Dropbox Backup on that page?

Hi Walter, yes, if I go that page, I can right click on the backup to delete it. will that stop the backup process from taking place in future, or will it just delete the present backup?

there's no Beta tag.

how did you navigate to the Backups folder? it doesn't seem to be in my file menu

Walter

You can click on the dotted button next to your account's profile pic on the upper right corner of your homepage to access your backups @Genie123

As for deleting your computer's backup, yes, that would be deleting it and re-enabling would be a manual process from your end.

just when i thought i'd solved it .......

i no longer have access to the computer from which this backup was created - it's offering me the option to unlink my imac? if I click that option, which imac will be unlinked? the old one (on which the backup was originally created, which has been wiped and sold on) or the new one on which i'm currently working?

You can either do it from your laptop, or click "I don't have access" and follow the steps there @Genie123.

finally! that seems to have done it. thanks all for your kindness and patience 😊