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Sync symbols not showing up

I used to use Dropbox for years, had all the archive of my work on it, and the main thing that I loved was how easily I could keep track of what was/wasn't synced on my laptop. I had to move to iCloud for a while for budgeting reasons, but now that all of that is in order, I've re-subscribed and trying to move the bulk of my archive back. However, I seem to be having some trouble with the sync symbols, which is bumming me out.

I'm on a Macbook Pro (Ventura 13.0.1 / M1 Pro)

At first none of the sync symbols were showing up. I followed some guides from other posts suggesting either to relaunch Finder, or to toggle the tick in Finder Extensions on and off, but I've only managed to get the green tick to show for files that are synced. All the rest of the symbols aren't showing up... in fact, when something is online only I'm getting the iCloud symbol instead. (see screenshot attached)

Screenshot 2022-11-21 at 8.38.03 PM.png

Is there anything you can suggest I do? Thanks in advance.

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Megan

Hi @rgnx91, you got it right.

On Dropbox for macOS, the syncing icons have slightly changed from what you may be used to. Files and folders can be in various sync states, for example:

“Available offline”

A solid green circle with a white checkmark means your file or folder is synced and available offline. You will see this icon after right-clicking a file or folder and selecting Make available offline.

“Online-only”

A cloud icon with a down arrow means your file or folder is synced and online-only until it is opened. Clicking on the this icon will download the file/folder and change its state to “available”.

Double clicking online-only files from Finder will automatically download this file and open it in its default application. Opening files from an application will also automatically download these files and open it.

“Available” (no icon)

A file with no icon means that it has been opened either by double-clicking, through a third-party application or by clicking the cloud icon to download.

Files and folders may have other icons next to them if for example a file is syncing or downloading. Other examples include error states where a file/folder cannot be synced with Dropbox. Hovering over the icon will give more details of what the error may be.

For a more detailed explanation of the sync icons please visit our Help Center.

Thank you!

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Mark

Hi @rgnx91

The files arent stored inside an iCloud directory at all are they?

Is Dropbox running? What version is it?

rgnx91

Hi Mark! Thanks for your answer.

Yes, Dropbox is running: V161.4.4923

I'm not sure where the files are stored to be honest. There was a recent update that moved the entire Dropbox folder... somewhere else? It appears under "Locations" now, sort of like its own drive.

Screenshot 2022-11-21 at 9.30.07 PM.png

Walter

Hey @rgnx91, sorry to jump in, but I just wanted to mention that it seems that you were recently updated to the latest version of the Dropbox app for Macs which moves your Dropbox folder to ~/Library/CloudStorage and can no longer be found in your Mac's favorites, but under your Mac's Locations instead.

For more information about the syncing icons, you can have a look here.

I hope this helps a tad.

rgnx91

Hi Walter, thanks for this! So, if I'm understanding correctly, it's just that the icons have changed? Sorry, I suppose I must have missed that. I thought something wasn't working right... or maybe I'm traumatised by iCloud's sync 😧

Megan

Hi @rgnx91, you got it right.

On Dropbox for macOS, the syncing icons have slightly changed from what you may be used to. Files and folders can be in various sync states, for example:

“Available offline”

“Online-only”

A cloud icon with a down arrow means your file or folder is synced and online-only until it is opened. Clicking on the this icon will download the file/folder and change its state to “available”.

“Available” (no icon)

A file with no icon means that it has been opened either by double-clicking, through a third-party application or by clicking the cloud icon to download.

For a more detailed explanation of the sync icons please visit our Help Center.

Thank you!

rgnx91

Awesome! That's good to know. Thank you Megan and Walter.