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Is there a way to downgrade the version of Dropbox on the computer to an older one? new update.

Is there a way to downgrade the version of Dropbox on the computer. I'm on a Mac (OS v. 12.6) and I just updated to the newest version today (10/25/22), and the dropbox folder has disappeared from my desktop and is only available on cloud storage. You have to go to the finder sidebar to get to your files (an extra step). Would like to find a way to return to the previous version. Any suggestions?

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Rich

@tym07 wrote:
Is there a way to downgrade the version of Dropbox on the computer.

No, because even if you install the older version, it will automatically update almost immediately.

I just updated to the newest version today (10/25/22), and the dropbox folder has disappeared from my desktop and is only available on cloud storage.

Storing the Dropbox folder in CloudStorage is a new requirement from Apple; not Dropbox.

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tym07

There was an update today (10/25/22) and after I did so, the dropbox folder on my desktop has been moved to a "secure" location, but I can't find it on my hard drive. I'm using a MacBook Pro and MacOS 12.6. NEVERMIND.

Found the solution in the link to the email that was send regarding this update:

If you had removed your Dropbox folder from Locations, it can be restored by following these steps:

Open Finder.
Click Finder in the menu bar.
Open Preferences.
Click the Sidebar tab.
Under Locations, check Cloud Storage.

Rich

@tym07 wrote:
Is there a way to downgrade the version of Dropbox on the computer.

No, because even if you install the older version, it will automatically update almost immediately.

I just updated to the newest version today (10/25/22), and the dropbox folder has disappeared from my desktop and is only available on cloud storage.

Storing the Dropbox folder in CloudStorage is a new requirement from Apple; not Dropbox.

tym07

Too bad. The reason why Dropbox was so superior to many other services was that folder on the desktop. Even Google Drive allows one to have a folder on the desktop.

Megan

Hi @tym07, thanks for reaching out about this.

As part of the Dropbox for macOS update, the Dropbox folder must be located in ~/Library/CloudStorage, as you correctly pointed out.

Some other things to note about the Dropbox folder location:

- Changing the location of your Dropbox folder is no longer supported by macOS.
- Due to the change of the Dropbox folder location, files that were previously linked in some third-party applications may need to be linked again.
- Storing your Dropbox folder on an external drive is no longer supported by macOS.
- Your Dropbox folder in Finder will now be found under Locations and no longer under Favorites.
- Individual folders can be moved from your Dropbox folder to Favorites for quick access.

We hope that helps!

Ricky Wong

I prefer the older version of Dropbox where we can move files seamlessly as if it is a local folder and auto sync to cloud storage. I am not happy dropbox takes away this feature. What is the point of using Dropbox anymore ?

Здравко

@Megan wrote:
...
As part of the Dropbox for macOS update, the Dropbox folder must be located in ~/Library/CloudStorage, as you correctly pointed out.
...
- Changing the location of your Dropbox folder is no longer supported by macOS.
...

@Megan, Yes and No!!!

There are multiple interfaces provided by MacOS 😉. What interface particular developer will select (i.e. Dropbox development) is up to the developer (Apple doesn't force you, just provides different opportunities). So, NO - Dropbox (or any other application) CAN use whatever available and "no longer supported by macOS" is nothing more than pure try to excuse! 🤦 On other side - YES, the selected interface mandates your application to select mount point in ~/Library/CloudStorage. Only mountpoint name may be changed (i.e. Dropbox folder). 🤷 That's it unfortunately, but AGAIN - the choice is up to Dropbox! The underlying layer is still available - FUSE. 😉 There are no such limitations - you just need to keep application syncing ability; not to rely on Mac sync system (as you are doing on Dropbox application recent versions).

wpd

I too prefer the older approach to storing files in Dropbox. This change makes Dropbox practically unusable for me in MacOS. I rely upon the fact that Dropbox replicates my files across all of my devices. If I ever lose access to Dropbox for any reason (perhaps Dropbox servers are hacked or undergo a massive DoS attack), I still have my files on my devices. I rely on the fact that I can open a text file in my favorite text editor, edit it, save it, and have it replicated across all of my devices.

This change effectively makes Dropbox useless to me on the Mac. I might as well use iCloud Drive instead of Dropbox.

I wish I had realized what this was going to do to me when I blithely clicked "Accept" when Dropbox prompted me to move all of my files.

This is a shame. I have been a long time user of Dropbox (since 2007). I can no longer recommend it.

Michel G.7

The same for me : the new features are horrible !
There are a lot of limitations : I don’t have the courage to enumerate them.
Really sad !

BILLbilly01

Hi! I just upgraded mine and I had the same issue. I'm feeling so bad about hitting that upgrade button in the first place now.

Also, my dropbox folder won't even start syncing again as well. It just keeps saying "Indexing XX,XXX files" and the number just stays the same.

I think we're screwed. 😞

Michel G.7

Awful !
Everything goes wrong, like in a early beta.
Our life is in those servers.
And this ludicrous help center : chat and email 😡

seb182

Sadly, this is an issue that is hitting a lot of us (I have yet to find anyone on macos 12.6.x who has it working) and Dropbox support has no solution to offer. I'm very concerned that the only option is a full system reinstall as it seems that the dropbox app provided from a fresh install (e.g. if you get your apps from brew) is still the previous version.

Michel G.7

Dropbox support are ineffective : a support agent told me to upgrade my OS (I am running Mac OS 13.3.1 !), another explained me how to uninstall DropBox with terminal commands (but locating DropBox folder in my user folder while it is located in User/Library/CloudStorage).

I think it is total panic at the DB support center.

Forgive my clumsy frenchy English.

Nancy

Hi @Michel G.7, sorry to jump in here.

If being on macOS 13.3 doesn’t seem to help at all, please let me know, so that we can investigate this further.

Feel free to send me the ticket number from your convo with our support team, and I’ll check it for you, as well.

Michel G.7

I think it is ticket n° 21990746

steen_rylander

And for that reason, I am giving up on Dropbox. There are many competitors which can fulfill the way I want to work with my files.

I don't want an iCloud copy.

I work with files and keep them as an automated copy on Dropbox.

Now it will be Pcloud or Onlime as an example instead.

They are even cheaper than Dropbox

Pcloud is one of payment

and on Onlime it is unrestricted volumes.

Really bad step by Dropbox

Michel G.7

DropBox support is a disaster !

Since the new Mac version, I had several problems…

The e-mail support finally told me to uninstall DropBox using terminal commands.

I have followed their advice, BUT IT DID NOT WORK !!!

I had to reinstall the 172.4.7555 version that located my DropBox Folder in my User Folder !!! (I previously hade moved to CloudStorage).

Now I have to wait till everything is synchronised to make my DropBox folder go to Library/CloudStorage !!!

DropBox support is catastrophic and made me waste a lot of time.

Can somebody here can tell me how to access to a phone support in French ?

Or at least a reliable support ?

All the best.

Nancy

I’m sorry to hear about your experience so far, @Michel G.7.

I was able to locate your ticket in our system, and from what I can see, it’s already being handled by our specialized team. Since they have more advanced tools at their disposal, I’d suggest continuing with them directly.

I’ve also left them an internal note, so that they can see your convo here.

Michel G.7

You can be sorry, but less than me : I am really disappointed with Dropbox.

I have wrong advices from support team and I can't interact r-directly with them !

Last time, the terminal procedure to erase DB did not work ! (somme commands were ineffective, location were not find (I only copied/paste the lines).

Disastrous.

CAN YOU HELP ???

Megan

Hi @Michel G.7, sorry to hear about that!

Have you tried responding back to the existing ticket number, in order to let the agent know that you weren't able to follow the steps?

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!

Michel G.7

Yes : I answer the e-mail directly…

The problem is that some matters are IMPOSSIBLE to solve with e-mail, but only sharing screen and talking on the phone !

Megan

Hi @Michel G.7, thanks for clarifying, and sorry to hear about that.

I see where you're coming from, and it would indeed be helpful. However, in many cases -and especially when the case has been escalated to our Specialized agents- the only communication possible is via email.

It'd help them with the response time, and in order to be able to look into each case closely.

Ben S.4

I use Spotlight extensively, and this new Dropbox has borked it entirely. Can't find any of the files, and on the occasion it does, you can't preview or open them from Spotlight. I'm on the latest Ventura build, doesn't help at all. I've been on Dropbox since it was in Beta, and this is absolutely awful.

Michel G.7

Yes !
Same for me.
And the bad faith of support is obvious.
Dropbox will eventually improve : let’s hope 🙏.