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My new mac isn't syncing with Dropbox and I can't see the Dropbox icon on the menu bar.

Not sure if this is the right subject area, but I need some help please?

Been using DropBox for a few years now. Currently have an old Imac, an old MacBook Air running (Sierra) and a new MacBook Air (running Ventura 13.3), I use DropBox to back up all my work files - mostly word docs.

On the new mac my files are saving to DropBox but not syncing with DropBox, so I can see them but they are not syncing on my old Macs, or with anyone sharing the folders. Causing untold issues. And I can't see a DB icon on the menu bar.

Have just updated the OS on the MacBook Air, but still can't get it to work?

Can anyone advise please? THank you!

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Megan

Hi @JeeBee, let's jump into this!

So, you mentioned that you came across some syncing issues, on your new MacBook air.

Is it safe to assume that any changes, or additions you make inside the Dropbox folder, on that particular device, you don't see these changes reflected online either?

It's rather odd that you don't see your Dropbox icon on your menu bar too. Have you tried re-installing the app using this link?

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

All comments

Megan

Hi @JeeBee, let's jump into this!

So, you mentioned that you came across some syncing issues, on your new MacBook air.

Is it safe to assume that any changes, or additions you make inside the Dropbox folder, on that particular device, you don't see these changes reflected online either?

It's rather odd that you don't see your Dropbox icon on your menu bar too. Have you tried re-installing the app using this link?

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

JanS

On my MacBook Pro the dropbox icon now appears on the left hand side of the Finder window/box. This change happened when I updated the app last week.

JeeBee

Thank you! Sometimes it's something simple that causes MAJOR problems. I re-installed and that sorted it. YAY! I truly appreciate your help, thanks so much!

Megan

Hi @JanS, how are you today?

Can you send us a screenshot, in order for us to have a visual of this too?

And @JeeBee, don't even mention it, I am glad I could help. If you need anything else, I'll be one post away. 😊

JanS

I hope this screen shot works. You'll need to scroll down to see it all. dropbox screenshot Mac Ventura OS13.1.png

Nancy

Hey @JanS! Thanks for the screenshot.

Did you, by any chance, install the Dropbox Update for macOS?

If you did, then your Dropbox folder in Finder will now be found under Locations instead of Favorites, as also mentioned in the Help Center article I’ve sent you above.

ReRe2

That icon in the menu links to the Dropbox folder. But when I go to Applications folder/Dropbox app icon, it ALSO links to the Dropbox folder. And there is no icon in the menu bar. How can I open the APP?

Walter

Hey @ReRe2 - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

If this persists after rebooting your computer, could you send us a screenshot of how your menu bar looks so that we can have a visual too?

Also, what is your computer's exact OS version? Have you tried reinstalling the Dropbox desktop app since you first noticed this?

ReRe2

Sonoma 14.7.2.

I did an advanced reinstall and got it working with sync icons. But still no icon in the menu bar. I went to System/Control Center/icons and turned off nearly all but still no icon. Still can't open the app.

The install turned on badges on Word .doc files so I used that to get to the Preferences. But still can't open the app from there - only Preferences.

The download page had a "you're already running Dropbox" message, but I clicked on the "Open Dropbox App" and nothing happened.

System Preferences/Privacy - gave DB full disk permission. I am the admin user.

I don't think that's too many icons in the menu.

Reiterating: Applications folder/Dropbox.app ALSO opens the Dropbox folder, not the app.

ReRe2

PS When I advance-reinstalled, the offline installer did nothing. But the online installer worked, giving me a satisfying progress bar and creating the Dropbox.app in the Applications folder. But clicking on it only opens the Dropbox folder.

ReRe2

Still no icon in the menu bar. Thus cannot open app.

Nancy

Hi @ReRe2, hope you don’t mind if I jump in.

You mentioned previously that you were able to see sync icons after performing an advanced reinstall of your Dropbox app, correct?

If you still see those icons in your local Dropbox folder, I’d like you to send me a screenshot of them, as this is quite a bizarre situation indeed.

Feel free to send me a screenshot of the preferences you managed to access, as well.