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MacOS background items and system files. Can I delete these?

On macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, Dropbox 217.4.4417 just made some install changes/updates, but it is not clear what. In System Settings/General/Login Items & Extensions, I have the Dropbox.app in Open at Login and Dropbox (with the blue logo) and Dropbox, Inc. (with no logo) in Allow in the Background.

Can someone please advise the specific purpose of each of these different install items and if they can be removed if their purpose is not needed for my user requirements.

Thank-you.

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Accepted answers

mhutchens

Hi @SteveDC , thank you for reporting this new behavior.

I can confirm that the new Login Item entry marked “Dropbox, Inc.” is in fact a valid background task that is installed alongside the Dropbox application. There was a bug where this background task was not correctly being associated with Dropbox, and as Walter mentioned Mac OS will fill in the Login Item with the Developer ID found in the signature if no association is found. This background task has always existed but it has not shown up in the Login Items UI until recently.

We have identified the issue and will be rolling out a fix soon, which will correctly associate the background task with Dropbox by being named DropboxUpdater, and having the Dropbox icon in the entry.

Disabling the background item will negatively affect Dropbox’s ability to update itself and it is not recommended. If Dropbox isn’t kept up to date it may impact the app’s ability to sync; however, disabling it will not directly impact Dropbox’s ability to sync if you ensure it is kept up to date.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

All comments

Megan

Hey @SteveDC, thanks for posting here today!

Dropbox's latest update has introduced improvement to its installation, background processes and extensions.

To clarify, are you referring to app extensions and system files that help optimize our app's performance? Feel free to send me a screenshot of the items you mentioned, and specifically how they're visible on your end; in order for me to have a visual.

These components ensure that our app runs smoothly, launches automatically at login, and enables real-time syncing.

Disabling them may impact its functionality, including automatic syncing and Finder integration.

If your question is about deeper system files or background services beyond what's listed there, let me know I'd be happy to help.

SteveDC

Megan:

Thank-you for your reply. Please find attached the requested screenshot. Curiously, the second Dropbox (with the blue logo) in the Allow in the Background section is no longer there. There are no Extensions loading. I guess what I'm asking is what changed and what the different pieces do. I like to understand what is installed so I can remove anything I no longer need.

CajunKev

I also have this same question as an additional Dropbox extension has been loaded on my system today, which now has the same configuration as Steve's. Megan, I felt you were a bit disingenuous with Steve - of course he specifically said he was talking about login items and extensions. Would you mind to actually answer the question that we have? I don't know about Steve, but I am specifically concerned with tracking like so many apps want to do now. I'm also not interested in having you, Megan, tell us what you think these items are doing - I am specifically asking you to research this and give us accurate information in response. Would you be willing to do that for your customers?

Thanks, Kevin

CajunKev

OK, I can see this posted incorrectly so I am moving it here:

Thanks, Kevin

Helen

Same here. I disabled the new one.

Walter

Hi all, thanks for the patience while we checked on this internally.
The team let us know that in the "Allow in the background" section, Mac OS seems to be pulling the developer name/name of who signed the app, which is why it shows up differently. If you disable Dropbox from running in the background, this will probably affect your ability to sync in the background. Having a Dropbox app in the "Open at Login" section means that Dropbox will start when you startup or log in to your device.

DeltaQuery

I noticed a new Login Item today, which led me to this thread after a quick Google search. Initially, I was concerned that this could be an indicator of malicious activity or a system compromise, as unexpected login items typically raise a red flag. I’m not entirely sure I understand the response regarding how the developer's name is being pulled in, and I don’t want to remove a login item arbitrarily if it’s actually required.

Part of my concern is that (a) new login items don’t usually appear unless I’ve taken some action to cause them—such as installing a new application—and (b) the fact that this new item doesn’t display the familiar Dropbox icon made it seem suspicious. Given the potential security implications, I think it's reasonable to ask for clarification.

I’ve attached a screenshot to illustrate what I (and presumably others in this thread) have observed. It would be helpful to get a clear explanation as to why a second login item is now necessary and why it does not use the standard Dropbox icon.

SteveDC

DeltaQuery:

In my original posting I said: " In System Settings/General/Login Items & Extensions, I have the Dropbox.app in Open at Login and Dropbox (with the blue logo) and Dropbox, Inc. (with no logo) in Allow in the Background." I still have the two, but as I said, one is in the Login Items and the one without the logo is in the "Allow in the Background" section.

The explanation from Walter at Dropbox said: "The team let us know that in the "Allow in the background" section, Mac OS seems to be pulling the developer name/name of who signed the app, which is why it shows up differently. If you disable Dropbox from running in the background, this will probably affect your ability to sync in the background. Having a Dropbox app in the "Open at Login" section means that Dropbox will start when you startup or log in to your device."

I am cautiously optimistic with Walter using the phrases "seems to be" and "will probably affect...sync". Perhaps the developers aren't passing along their self confidence to the Customer Service folks.

mhutchens

Hi @SteveDC , thank you for reporting this new behavior.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.