Multiple issues controlling sync on Mac OS using File Provider

Question

Hello,

I'm currently having multiple issues controlling file sync since switching to the File Provider system on Mac. I'm running Dropbox 186.4.6207 on Mac OS Ventura 13.6.

* I don't get the option to not sync certain folders. It used to be that I could right click a folder or file and there would be an option to prevent it from syncing. This is really valuable because, as a developer, I have a lot of files that do not need to be backed up, things like npm packages. It used to be this option was in the dropbox section of the right-click menu (where everything has the dropbox logo next to it), then it was in the standard options, and now it's gone. Without that control, I often get a ton of small files syncing that takes up a bunch of processing power for ages, or I have tens of gigabytes on my computer sitting around doing nothing. And in both situations, it takes up space in my dropbox. I've resorted to pausing sync, re-installing all my npm module packages for a project, working, deleting the packages folder, then turning sync back on. This is really inconvenient, especially as
* The "Make available offline" option seems to not be working. Recently, I almost filled up my hard drive, after which I found a bunch of critical files were set to online-only. I realized I hadn't expressly set them to always be available offline, so that's annoying, but it's my bad. I set a bunch of files to "Make available offline" and thought I had solved things. However, the next time I went to work, I paused syncing for the above reason, installed my npm packages, and attempted to run my code, only to find that a file that had the green check next to it wasn't available. I attempted to open it, but nothing happened. Then I turned on syncing for a brief second, and attempted to open it, when I saw the Mac OS native loading wheel next to it, and it opened. So apparently, even "available offline" items need syncing still turned on? This is even more inconvenient.
* Many folders simply don't have the Dropbox options at all. With the above complaints, this might seem like no big deal... why would I want to see the options if they clearly don't actually have any control over anything. But what I've noticed is, folders I have set to sync to Dropbox, my Desktop, Downloads and Documents folders, top level files and directories don't have any of the Dropbox sync control options when I right click them. I need to create a folder, put files/directories in that, and then when I open that folder, anything inside shows the sync controls when right clicked. Very frustrating!

I don't know if there is something wrong with my setup, or something I can do to fix these issues, or if Dropbox is already aware of the mess this new system seems to be. At this point, I'm thinking about signing out of dropbox on my Mac, reinstalling, and when it asks if I want to use File Provider, saying no. The old system wasn't always great, but at least I had control over my files. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Walter · Answer

Hey @otto-maddox - sorry to jump  in here, but are you aware of the expected changes with the File Provider version of the Dropbox desktop app?

As for the missing "Do not sync" option, are you referring to the option to ignore files or something else?

While we're at it, note that a newer version of the app got out yesterday, so you might want to update it from this page directly.

otto-maddox · Answer

Hi Nancy,

I'll take the second paragraph first: It had the green checkmark, but when it seemed to need to be downloaded again it was the Mac OS loading wheel, not the Dropbox icon, so it seemed like it was about something to do with File Provider?

For the first one, it seems it comes and goes, but it often is missing even while Dropbox syncing is enabled.

Also, do you have any information about why the "Do not sync" option is unavailable?

T

Nancy · Answer

Thanks for posting here, @otto-maddox!

When you see that the context menu options are missing from your Dropbox files/folders, is your Dropbox app running and up to date, or is syncing paused?

As per your second point, if a file/folder is available offline, then you should be able to open it even when your Dropbox app’s syncing is paused, as it’s basically downloaded on your computer. Do you remember what the syncing icon next to it was initially? Was it something else besides the green checkmark shown here, when you had to download it again on your device?

Let me know, and we’ll take it from there.