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The app re-indexes all files after each restart on Mac.

Each time I restart my Mac, Dropbox goes through reindexing of (seemingly) all files in my folder. The Mac's CPU usage goes up and the fan kicks in - it makes the computer slow for at least 15 minutes. It does finally complete, but it would obviously be much better if this did not happen.

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Hannah

Thanks for that, Anya.

Have you reached out to our support team about this yet?

If not, you can do so from this page.

Let us know when you have your ticket number.

Jack D-77

I just upgraded to a Mac Studio M3 ultra, running Sequoia 15.5. My Dropbox folder is located on an external drive as well, running v227.4.4774. It takes over 8 hours to re-index all my files after a computer shut down.

As I work directly from dropbox folder, this makes me feel very apprehensive about beginning to work on my files. As it's indexing, would there be a conflict between the live changes I make to the file while dropbox is re-indexing all my files? I have shared folders with other colleagues (they own the shared folder) - could this potentially alter their original files as well?

Walter

Hey @Jack D-77 - thanks for flagging this with us. I've just followed up via email to have a further look internally with account and device specific information, so please take a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.

While we're at it, I'm sorry for the late response here, but are you still having issues with this too @craigsfowler?

craigsfowler

Thanks for asking ... This issue has mitigated somewhat for me. I've made many dropbox folders cloud only and also upgraded to MacOs Sequoia 15.5 . I still see re-indexing after reboot but, at most, for about 15 minutes.

Walter

I see, thanks for keeping me in the loop on this @craigsfowler - much appreciated.

If this becomes too much of an issue in the future, please feel free to reach out and we'll take it from there.

willmaupin

I switched back to Mac this week after three years on PC. I bought a new MacBook Pro and installed the latest Dropbox. After a few days I managed to sync my almost 2TB of files to the new computer. Each day when I start the computer, indexing takes over three hours and syncing what is already synced adds to that time. I have Dropbox located on an external SanDisk Pro Blade Thunderbolt 3 NVME.

Megan

Hey @willmaupin thanks for posting here today!

Let me start off by apologizing if this reply is long, but I want to make sure we've got everything covered.

It’s understandable to be concerned when Dropbox keeps indexing files repeatedly. Keep in mind that 2TB of content, is also quite the size for the app to re-index.

As a first step, can you clarify which Dropbox desktop app version you use on your end? You can find this by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon in your menu bar, next to your WiFi. I'm asking, because I'd like for us to make sure that you're not using a beta version.

Do you use macOS on File Provider, and is the external drive formatted as APFS and encrypted?

Is it possible that the external drive is disconnected and reconnected, which prompts Dropbox to re-index?

Looking forward to your reply!

willmaupin

Hi, Dropbox version 228.4.5567. File Provider = yes, APFS encrypted = yes. The drive is hot-swappable, but I do not take it out or disconnect it. The first day of syncing it was in another dock. I wanted to move it to a dedicated dock so I shut down, moved it, and Dropbox did not complain.

Walter

Hey @willmaupin - thanks for the additional information you provided.

Can you let us know approximately how many files you're syncing on your computer via the Dropbox desktop app at the moment?

I'm only asking because you could notice a decline in the app's performance if you're syncing a large amount of files, namely more than 300,000 files.

willmaupin

It is more than 200,000 for sure. I am not sure how I can verify this. I try to catch the file count once indexing is done but I miss it by a minute or so each time. I have been syncing the same files (actaully almost 1TB more, but I have been trying to pare things down) on my Windows 11 machine for 2+ years without issue.

Walter

Once the app is 'up to date' you can try a Control/Command click on your Dropbox folder and check its properties to see the file count @willmaupin

While we're at it, can you clarify if you're running any 3rd party apps that could be monitoring, syncing or backing up your files somehow?

willmaupin

1.94TB, 167,028 items. I use GoodSync to sync some ongoing jobs and CaptureOne databases to Dropbox. I initiate the syncing manually. I have Hazel (auto-sorts files) installed and running but have no rules set up yet so it should not be monitoring anything (I just turned it off). I have LittleSnitch installed but it's a network monitor. Oh - a CaptureOne database on Mac is seen as a single file maybe, whereas on PC it sees it as a folder of files. So on the Mac, one of my database files is 85GB but on the PC it is an 85GB folder with 300,000+ files in it. On the Mac I have to choose 'Show Package Contents' to see inside it. GoodSync sees inside the database and will only sync the individual files that have changed...

Walter

Would you mind turning all of those apps off temporarily as a test to see how it goes @willmaupin?

I'm assuming you've already tried rebooting your computer and internet router too - would that be right?

willmaupin

Ok. I will most likely reply tomorrow then. I shut down each night and start up each morning. I have not rebooted the router but can do that. It is half-gig fiber and has been solid.

Walter

Feel free to take your time @willmaupin - just keep us posted with any updates!

Nancy

Hey @willmaupin! Did you end up trying Walter’s suggestion and, if yes, did it help you?

If not, feel free to let us know so that we can further assist.