Child Item

Dropbox desktop app on Mac forces sync preference to be online-only repeatedly

Latest macOS: Sequoia 15.6.

Dropbox: 230.4.8797

I have been noticing a sync issue warning in Dropbox menu bar for a few days so I checked settings today:

I had selected the "Default sync preference" as "Available offline" when installing Dropbox on Mac. But I see in the settings that it had changed to "Online-only" on its own.

I have more than sufficient disk space on my Mac and in comparison my entire Dropbox folder size is a fraction. I do not do have any other folder sync selected other than ~/Dropbox and in "selective sync" tab I select all folders to be available on this mac.

As you can see in the screenshot above I have not even opted for "Dropbox on File Provider" and I do not want to.

Even right now as I am writing this post and it switches back to "Online-only" the moment I move to any tab even in Dropbox settings and come back to sync preferences tab.

(I have screen-recording but I can't embed in this post. I can share if needed).

So at this point I am not even sure whether all my files and folders are actually available offline on the mac.

How do I fix this?

Find more posts tagged with

Sync

Closed - Partially Delivered

Accepted answers

litgit

Hi @Nancy

I had not on the same system but before the mac reinstall/reset - same Dropbox a/c. Even on previous install I had enabled it by mistake seeing a popup or prompt/message "you are eligible.." (something like that; don't remember exactly) and had successfully disabled going through some hoops and what not. On this install I didn't enable File Provider to begin with.

I’d just like to make sure that there are no remnants of File Provider folders

I don't know how to check that. Just in case it helps you - I see `DropboxSoftwareUpdate` and `DropboxMacUpdate.app` at `~/Library/Dropbox`. Also `~/Library/CloudStorage/` is just empty.

By the way I could see these as well https://help.dropbox.com/sync/macos-sync-icons#Dropbox-sync-icons-in-the-menu-bar (didn't test the notification and camera upload ones because I haven't enabled camera upload and there were no notifications for me) - as the link shows it's only menu bar app icons No sync icons on dropbox files/folders and no special (i.e the Dropbox logo one) Dropbox sidebar icon

I can't see any Dropbox related context menu options when I right click on any Dropbox files or folders in ~/Dropbox folder.

Update: I went inside Mac `System Settings > General` and then in `Extensions` sections I could see these Dropbox related extensions:

"File Providers" extension section: "Dropbox" extension was disabled there. I enabled it

and then I could see this change:

Sidebar Dropbox icon was now the Dropbox icon (not the generic finder icon) - just like Finder Dropbox icon already was (shown in a screenshot above)

And I also could see Dropbox related options in context menu when I right clicked on any file or folder inside ~/Dropbox folder

After this I looked through others and found "Sharing" extensions section: A "Dropbox Transfer" extension which was already enabled. So maybe it was always enabled or got enabled (or even got added; I don't know as I hadn't checked it before) automatically after I enabled "File Provider" Dropbox extension above. Anyway no change to report because of this because I did not change this.

Still no sync icons on local Dropbox files and folders. (Even after many Dropbox/Finder restarts. I in fact "fore quit" everything in Activity Monitor with 'dropbox' in its name)

PS. IMHO - It would be helpful if you (I assume you are from Dropbox) could tell me such possible settings beforehand as I as a user do not know what system/settings changes Dropbox does to OS or expects to be present beforehand. Will save a lot of to and fro from both sides.

All comments

Jay

Hi @litgit, thanks for messaging the Community.

Before we troubleshoot any further, could you confirm what sync icons you're seeing on the files and folders in the Dropbox folder?

A screenshot showing this, while hiding any personal info, would be appreciated.

litgit

Hi @Jay. There are no sync icons.

Jay

It looks like the Dropbox folder isn't showing the Dropbox icon, meaning that it's not syncing correctly to the site, or the app isn't working as expected.

Could you try reinstalling the Dropbox desktop application, without uninstalling it first, by using this link?

litgit

Hi @Jay

I did the reinstallation from the link above.

That warning "Dropbox is experiencing…" is gone now.
Sync is working - tried with a dummy folder creation and then deletion.
"Default sync preference" for "Choose how new files…" is now selected as "Available offline".
Finder sync icons are still not showing
1. Tried quitting/restarting dropbox and 'killall Finder' couple of times.

Jay

Are you certain that you're viewing the Dropbox folder from the Favourites list? It should have an icon for Dropbox itself. Without the icon, it would mean that the app isn't running or syncing correctly, which would also explain the lack of sync icons in the Dropbox folder.

Could you double-check the Dropbox folder location using these steps, and that this is the same folder shown in the Favourites?

litgit

I need to understand this - "Dropbox folder from the Favourites list" → do you mean the Finder sidebar favourites list? If so then, yes. My last screen shoot "clearly" shows that. I will add one again:

As you could see the Finder sidebar Dropbox favourite shortcut has no special icon for Dropbox - neither do the folders inside Dropbox have sync icons.

However when I click on my user folder (i.e ~/ which is also where the Dropbox is) and see the folders, the Dropbox folder has a Dropbox icon on it (just like Pictures, Music have special icons). here:

Yes - it is the same folder. I followed the link and that's where my Dropbox folder is - at ~/Dropbox i.e /Users/<user>/Dropbox (as usual).

Nancy

Hi from me too, @litgit! I know you previously said that you haven’t installed the Dropbox on File Provider update on your device, but is it possible you had it at any point in the past, before switching back to the legacy version?

I’d just like to make sure that there are no remnants of File Provider folders on your computer that could be affecting your sync icons.

Finally, besides the absence of syncing icons next to your files, can you see any Dropbox-related options after right-clicking on your files/folders within the local Dropbox folder?

litgit

Hi @Nancy

I’d just like to make sure that there are no remnants of File Provider folders

I don't know how to check that. Just in case it helps you - I see `DropboxSoftwareUpdate` and `DropboxMacUpdate.app` at `~/Library/Dropbox`. Also `~/Library/CloudStorage/` is just empty.

I can't see any Dropbox related context menu options when I right click on any Dropbox files or folders in ~/Dropbox folder.

Update: I went inside Mac `System Settings > General` and then in `Extensions` sections I could see these Dropbox related extensions:

"File Providers" extension section: "Dropbox" extension was disabled there. I enabled it

and then I could see this change:

Sidebar Dropbox icon was now the Dropbox icon (not the generic finder icon) - just like Finder Dropbox icon already was (shown in a screenshot above)

And I also could see Dropbox related options in context menu when I right clicked on any file or folder inside ~/Dropbox folder

Still no sync icons on local Dropbox files and folders. (Even after many Dropbox/Finder restarts. I in fact "fore quit" everything in Activity Monitor with 'dropbox' in its name)

Jay

Thanks for the info, with the extension enabled, now the Dropbox folder has the correct icon, and now you're seeing the context menu items.

Could you try rebooting your Mac entirely to see if this helps regarding the sync icons in the Dropbox folder?

litgit

Hi. I can see the icons on Dropbox files and folders in finder. All green checked i.e synced.

Thank you for working with me on this issue @Jay @Nancy. I really appreciate it.

Feedback:

These steps/settings should be documented by Dropbox
I have been using Dropbox sine the 500MB days i.e 16 years and this is the first time I have seen Dropbox behave this badly and weirdly. Even with all the app en**bleep**ifications (oh that has happened too much; starting with "cross platform" apps), until now this had been one of those apps that just works.

Please pass this on if you think this helps

Hannah

Hey @litgit, thanks for keeping us updated on this; I'm glad to see everything is back to normal now.

I've passed your feedback along to our team as well, so thanks for your comments, we really appreciate them.

If you need anything else in the future, please let us know!

Theresa

Hi there @litgit and welcome to the Dropbox Community. I’m really glad to hear everything’s back on track now and thank you for taking the time to follow up with your solution. It’s so helpful for others who might run into the same sync setting issue on Mac.

Since you’re working with sync preferences quite a bit, I’d love to know... how do you usually use Dropbox in your day to day? Whether it’s for work, creative projects, or something else, it’s always interesting to hear how people are putting it to use.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

T😸 (Dropbox Community Manager)

litgit

Thanks for asking for feedback.

It’s specifically for personal docs/files which are not sensitive in nature.

Would be happy to go in granular detail or depth if you would want that but I’d prefer that over email please. Or DM if forum has one.

litgit

Hi @Jay @Nancy (tagging you both because I don't know how the commenting on "marked solved" posts work).

This issue returned - the sync icons from the Finder inside Dropbox folder are again gone. Didn't even look into Dropbox settings after this was fixed, let alone changing anything.

PS.
(Also - Hi @Theresa, you asked for feedback and I had responded but you never followed up or said this was enough).

Walter

Hey @litgit - thanks for the nudge on this.

Do you happen to have any 3rd party apps that might be monitoring your files on your computer?

Also, have you tried refreshing your Finder's window and/or rebooting your computer since you noticed this happening again?

D P

Yep, this is an ongoing issue for me since around Dec 2024. I'm realizing that all of my 8 macs have been randomly reverting to "online-only" on their own.

The band-aid 'solution' has been to sign out and back in to the account; this keeps the problem at bay for another month or so, until it reverts back to 'online only'.

until now this had been one of those apps that just works.

yep 🙁

(if I hear one more suggestion to "advanced reinstall" or "have you tried restarting"... 😑)

litgit

With all due respect:

Do you happen to have any 3rd party apps that might be monitoring your files on your computer?

I hope you realise how a broad question this is. It's like do you happen to have a an app on your computer that happens to "work with files"!

No, I do not (I have answered this cursorily considering the the vague and broad question you have asked). And if I had then Dropbox should not have "file monitoring" on a mac.

refreshing your Finder's window

To be honest - this is borderline absurd and ridiculous. What is this - 2001? "Please go to your desktop and keep right-click-refresh'ing until your computer becomes faster" like the good old days of Windows XP.

Besides pray tell me what is "refreshing Finder's window".

I have been really patient, providing screenshots, steps, even following steps from your colleagues which were half baked and completely off the correct path and I myself found some steps and shared here (so that possibly other's could benefit from it) and now you are giving me filler copy-pasta suggestions? This is very frustrating and unhelpful.

rebooting your computer since you noticed this happening again

And while I am at it should I wait for 13.56689 seconds before starting the computer after I shut it down once?

1. Yes, I have rebooted multiple times
2. If that fixes the problem momentarily then it's not a Dropbox bug anymore? Really?

Walter

I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on this with us and I'm sorry if my suggestions weren't clear @litgit

Since this persists for you, would you like me to open a ticket from my end so that we can investigate this further internally?

litgit

Sure.

Walter

No worries @litgit - I've just followed up via email, so take a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.

D P

Just for fun, I tried opening a ticket as well. #25505442 The suggestion: try reinstalling 😅😆 who could have predicted it!

Anyway, you'll never guess what happened! (Nothing. No effect.) All files edited elsewhere are still online-only until I open them one by one.

The cherry on top:

If we don’t hear from you within 24 hours, we’ll proceed with resolving your request.

Jeez, sorry for not rushing to waste my time and bandwidth beta testing your program.

Hannah

Hey @D P, thanks for posting and sorry to hear about that.

I've opened a new ticket for you, so feel free to check your inbox.

No need to worry about the time needed to reply, whenever you're ready, you can reply back to the email to continue troubleshooting at any time.