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I'm trying to back up my external hard drive, but there's no option under my desktop app settings.

Hello!

I back up my Mac with Time Machine to an external hard disk that is APFS formatted.

When I go to manage backups in the Dropbox desktop app settings, this hard disk is not displayed for a backup, only the Mac.

What could be the reason for this problem?

Thank you!

Phil

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Nancy

Thanks for your post, @Phili1!

I’m guessing that, when you connect your external drive to the computer, you don’t see a prompt to back it up with Dropbox either. Is this correct?

Following our convo here, are you trying to back up the same external drive that contains your local Dropbox folder?

Finally, I’d like to know the size of files that are stored on your external drive.

Let me know, when you have more info.

Phili1

Hi@"Nancy"!

there is no prompt to back it up and the local Dropbox folder is not contained there. There is a timemachine backup stored on it.

greets

phil

Phili1

Hi!

How can I prevent the Dropbox desktop app on the Mac from asking if I want to back up an external drive every time it is connected without automatically backing up that drive?

thanks

phil

Rich

Phili1 wrote:
How can I prevent the Dropbox desktop app on the Mac from asking if I want to back up an external drive every time it is connected without automatically backing up that drive?

Go into Dropbox Preferences, select the Backup tab and disable the feature.

Phili1

Hi@"Rich" ! Thank you!

But if I disable this option, Dropbox will automatically make a backup of all connected hard disks in the future, or am I misunderstanding it?

Megan

Hey @Phili1!

If you disable that option, you won't get asked to back up your external drives every time you plug them to your device.

I hope this clarifies!

Rich

Phili1 wrote:
But if I disable this option, Dropbox will automatically make a backup of all connected hard disks in the future, or am I misunderstanding it?

No, it will not automatically back up your drives. Disabling that option stops it from asking you and simply prevents it from backing up the drives you connect.

Phili1

https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001014/im-trying-to-back-up-my-external-hard-drive-but-theres-no-option-under-my-deskto/835412/replies/835428

Megan

Hey @Phili1!

I'm a bit unsure in regards to your latest message. Would you care to clarify more?

Phili1

My questions have gotten mixed up: Why don't I see my external hard drive with the Timemachine backup in dropbox Backup?

Megan

Hey @Phili1!

When you plug your external drive I'm guessing that you don't see the pop-up that will allow you to back it up, right?

To make sure we’re on the same page, could you check your Backup page online and let me know what it reports? Feel free to send me a screenshot too.

Phili1

Yes, there is no pop up and no backup

Nancy

Thanks for the visual, Phil! Just to clarify, are you seeing this after clicking on the option to open your Backup settings via your Backups page online?

Phili1

This?

Jay

Hi @Phili1, in order to look into this matter in more detail, I'd recommend contacting the support team directly for them to investigate further.