Take Dropbox out of Mac Library

@ShanaC wrote:
How can I move my files out of my library and back to my user folder, so I can edit them?

Why can't you edit files in that location? To the best of my knowledge, Dropbox can only reside in the Library folder moving forward. This is a restriction put in place by Apple.

https://help.dropbox.com/installs/macos-faqs

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Delete-edit-and-organize/Can-t-point-to-existing-dropbox-folder-macos/m-p/575076

I am trying to make edits to a file, and it tells me that isn't able to save to the Library.

This article refers to the same problem -- and says it was solved by doing the advanced reinstall :

Unfortunately, the advanced reinstall instruction page isn't working - I can't open the accordions. https://help.dropbox.com/installs/advanced-reinstall

@ShanaC wrote:
This article refers to the same problem -- and says it was solved by doing the advanced reinstall :

I don't think that's going to solve this for you. With the new restriction from Apple, the /Dropbox folder is being moved to the CloudStorage folder and changing the location of your Dropbox folder is no longer supported. Even if you did an advanced reinstall, you'll still be left with a Dropbox folder located in CloudStorage. Keep in mind that the post you're referring to is now 8 months old.

I am trying to make edits to a file, and it tells me that isn't able to save to the Library.

I think the best option for you is to determine why you can't save to your Library and correct that issue. What is giving you that message? Is that from a specific application or all of them, or perhaps from the operating system? Can you provide a screenshot of the error?

https://help.dropbox.com/installs/advanced-reinstall

Since I can't actually see the instructions on Dropbox, it's hard for me to know -- can you duplicate what the Mac advanced reinstall instructions are supposed to be on this page:

@ShanaC wrote:
Since I can't actually see the instructions on Dropbox, it's hard for me to know -- can you duplicate what the Mac advanced reinstall instructions

No, I can't, but it's likely the same or similar to what Stefanie posted here. Again, this is old information and likely won't have an impact on the Dropbox folder being moved into the CloudStorage folder, as that is now a restriction put in place by Apple.

Joergos

I have the same problem. **bleep**.

Just trying to establish how this will affect the current working practices of our studio...

So at the moment all team members have their DropBox folder located at Macintosh HD > Users > Shared > Studio DropBox

This means we can use software like InDesign that creates absolute paths to images etc, and that file path is never affected by a particular persons Mac user account, because it never features in the file path.

Presumably that is not going to work going forward as ~/Library/CloudStorage will be with the Mac user account?

Sure seems like it, yes. This makes Dropbox completely useless, and means I will not be renewing my subscription.

That's a real shame, but it leaves our practice with no option, DropBox is no longer suitable for our needs. We'll be cancelling a large number of Business subscriptions and hoping that we can find an alternative way of working. It's really quite astounding how something can go from being the perfect solution, to useless, so quickly.

Walter

Hi all, I just wanted to mention that the issue with the drop-downs in the Help Center article is fixed now.

For anyone affected, could you perform an advanced reinstall and let us know you're still experiencing any issues?

Thanks so much!

This is WONDERFUL news. It seems like I can actually save things to my dropbox again!

Walter

Glad to hear it's working for you again @ShanaC - thanks for update too!

See you around the Community and take care!

Joergos

Many Thanks.
With the text in the drop down I was finally able to reinstall dropbox on my MAC.
The process with the strings in the Terminal app was the key point.

Was the aim to reinstall an earlier version?

Joergos

no,
no matter which DB version, it was a rights problem on the MAC in my MAC user registration.

Hi all, like many Mac users, I have struggled with Dropbox since the introduction of OS12.3 back in March. Regardless, I have persevered, anticipating a long awaited solution to the online/offline issue that has resulted in 8 months of pain.

It now seems like the "fix" is actually going to render Dropbox completely useless for our organisation.

For context, I run a studio of around 20 people, all working remotely. We use many applications that link to assets using absolute paths. Because of this we all have our Dropbox located at Macintosh HD > Users > Shared > Studio Dropbox. When a link is created to an asset (InDesign linking to an image for example), it doesn't matter whose Mac that is done on, open the same file on any machine and the link is the same. Crucially the user account of an individuals Mac never comes into play.

It's obviously incredibly frustrating to learn that Apple will now stipulate that the Dropbox folder must reside in a users CloudStorage folder, meaning that the above is completely impossible.

Is Dropbox a lost cause? I can't see any workarounds that will make Dropbox feasible going forward.

Anyone experiencing the same?

BJRo

Yes, I just simply moved my Dropbox folder and of course then needed to relink it. Was working fine where it was, but when trying to re-link it won't allow it to be stored anywhere but in the user library folder which makes no sense whatsoever.

BJRo

I'm going to have to find an alternative way to work with clients, currently my clients are paying for dropbox to work with us collaboratively. Multiple clients, what a mad situation.

Yep, same situation here, plus collaboratively working with other team members. No idea what the solution is.

Curious lack of response from Dropboxers to this...

Hannah

Hey @BJRo and @Andrew Parker, sorry to see you're having trouble with this.

Did you manage to try the advanced reinstall steps, to see if they help?

@Hannah wrote:
Did you manage to try the advanced reinstall steps, to see if they help?

Hannah, why would an advanced reinstall work in this case? Their goal is to move Dropbox out of the Library/CloudStorage folder, but moving the Dropbox folder is no longer supported on macOS. Are you suggesting that an advanced reinstall will allow them to bypass a restriction that was put in place by Apple?

Bingo Rich, without the option of moving Dropbox out of the user library, it is useless to us.

@Andrew Parker and all on this thread, I've attempted a workaround from another thread, but it failed in Ventura.

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Apps-and-Installations/MacOS-13-0-Ventura-and-Dropbox-follows-OneDrive-in-forcing-the/m-p/637029/highlight/true#M46988

Mac were great, and the guy I spoke to is raising it to engineers. If you have Mac tech support, then please do the same. The more the wheel squeaks, the more likely to get our solution.
@Hannah the more Dropbox raises our issues to Mac, the more likely we can get a solution. Please be activists on behalf of your customers!

Yes!! @Walter your solution is brilliant. @Andrew Parker did you try the advanced install option?

I still cannot backup Documents, Downloads and Desktop however.

Is there a sudo workaround for those too? Thanks so much!

Hi Michael, no I haven't! Where can I find this?

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Apps-and-Installations/Take-Dropbox-out-of-Mac-Library/m-p/635053/highlight/true#M46636

@Andrew Parker

Follow the instructions in the link. It takes a while, and you might have to re-sync your dropbox, but it works.

Thanks Michael, just for absolute clarity, this means I can upgrade Dropbox, upgrade to Ventura, and locate my Dropbox folder outside the Users folder?