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Proper procedure for re-linking (adopting) backed up external drive on a new computer?

Hi all,

I'm only backing up an external hard drive with Dropbox Backup. I wiped and reinstalled my Mac (Sonoma 14.2.1) and reinstalled Dropbox.

Dropbox has created a new backup of the external drive and has called it External Drive (1). I see my proper backup (External Drive) files on the web. I just want to not have to upload 3.5TB of data and have Dropbox recognize that it's the same drive I've been previously backing up. The name of the external drive has not changed.

There's currently a black x on the Dropbox icon. When I click, it says my Dropbox is full and that I'm using 3.5TGB of my 45GB of personal Dropbox space. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks for any help!

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Accepted answers

Jay

Hi @lament, since you wiped and reinstalled the OS, this is considered a different device, so any backups made on the 'old' device will no longer work.

You'll need to backup the external drive from scratch, and delete the old backup, since you're currently out of quota, to free up space. Currently, it isn't possible to merge two backups together in the way you're requesting.

All comments

Walter

Hi there @Jason E.15 - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Could you please send me a screenshot of the app's exact status as shown in your menu bar at the moment?

Also, do you see one or two backups in your backups page?

Let us know more and we'll take it from there, Jason.

lament

Hi @Walter yes I have 2 backups shown. See attachments. Screenshot 2024-01-02 at 9.35.24 AM.png

Jay

Hi @lament, since you wiped and reinstalled the OS, this is considered a different device, so any backups made on the 'old' device will no longer work.

lament

@Jay I find it hard to believe that in 2024 you can't adopt a backup of an external drive that didn't change at all. That's a complete waste of time and resources having to re-upload, on both sides. I know it can be done with Backblaze because I've done it, so it's baffling you guys can't do this.

I'm not backing up the new computer itself - I'm simply adopting an external backup that is already showing in my account. Why can't that backup be associated with this "new" device?

Megan

Hey @lament, your feedback regarding our Backup has been very valuable and I will endeavor to make sure your voice is heard.

I can totally see where you're coming from, and I will pass on your comments to the relevant departments so that we can further improve our product.

fortsound

I have exactly the same issue here. I want to continue the same existing backup on a new OS. External drive hasn't changed, now I have to start backup from scratch and probably delete the existing backup in order to create enough space. That means I'll be without online backup until the new backup is fully done which can take days with my limited upload speed. Moreover, I have to do this for 3 external drives for a total of 2 TB.