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Installed Dropbox on a new Mac and got "selective sync conflicts" on this and other linked computers

How do I fix the "Selective Sync Conflict" issue, which is now present on three computers: new Mac mini, 2021 MacBook Pro and 2017 iMac?

Two days ago, I installed dropbox on new Mac mini, with the intention of synching ALL files/folders on to mini hard drive. Yesterday, I noticed some files had downloaded green circle with white check and most files had empty cloud icon. Many files/folders displayed "Selective Sync Conflict" in the file/folder name, which I have never seen before.

I have a huge dropbox account, nearly 4 Gb, with many subfolders. Any advice to separately click (download) file by file would be daunting.

I tried to resolve this with chatGPT and Grok. BIGGER MESS.

Mac mini. Last night, I erased the Mac mini and re-installed Mac OS from scratch. This am, I reinstalled dropbox. Now, on Mac mini, all dropbox folders (still in the process of synching) are empty cloud (some with down arrow, some with no arrow). None of the files/folders have green circles with white checks), and 90% of folders have "Selective Sync Conflict" label. From the dropbox icon on top menu bar, I had selected Default sync state for new files => Available offline.
2. When I log into the online dropbox account, I similarly see "Selective Sync Conflict" labels on most files/folders.
Now, my MBP dropbox folders/files display either a solid green with white check, or a white circle with green check, or a different gray circle cloud icon. Most files indicate "Selective Sync Conflict" where they never did before.
2017 iMac (which has selected folders) shows all gray cloud icons, which I can activate by double clicking =>.green circle with white check.

I read that "Selective Sync Conflict" means there are duplicate folders, but I don't see any duplicated folders.

I hope I doo not have to repeat corrections on three devices. Haven't looked at my iPhone dropbox, too scared.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

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Comments

llw212

I read this dropbox info, but it is not correct, or doesn't apply to my situation.
I have never removed a folder from my computer's hard drive with the selective sync feature. I do have a 2019 iMac that crashed, which had dropbox synched to it.

I have never created a new folder on my computer in the same location as the original folder.

I do not see any two folders with the same name (one with "Selective Sync Conflict" appended, on any of my devices: new Mac mini, 2021 MBP or 2017 iMac.

This is a GIGANTIC problem for me as dropbox is my entire source of original and back up documents.

Hannah

Thanks for letting us know about this, @llw212.

This is indeed quite a strange issue, but let's see what we can find.

Firstly, can you let us know the current sync status and version of the Dropbox app on your new Mac Mini?

You can see that by hovering over the Dropbox icon in your menu bar.

Also, if you follow these steps here to go to your selective sync settings, do you see that all your folders are checked? Meaning, are all folders that are supposed to show up in your Dropbox folder checked and accessible?

Let me know what you find.

llw212

1. Upper menu shows dropbox 225.4.4896.

2. On my new Mac mini, Sequoia 15.5, all the files showed a gray cloud outline with a down arrow. Yesterday, when I clicked the cloud with down arrow, the icon disappeared, and there was NO ICON, but the subfolders appeared to have downloaded (no icons at all). Today, when I click the gray cloud outline with down arrow, the arrow disappears but the cloud outline remains. Expanding the folder shows subfolders with some gray outline clouds, some with arrows, other without.

3. I feel the situation is GETTING WORSE. I have nearl 400 Gb of contents. I have 100s of folders with 100s of subfolders and sub-sub folders. I cannot possibly click every single folder/file/document. This is a travesty.

4. MY GOAL = I want a downloaded copy of every file/folder on my mini.

Hannah

Hi again, @llw212!

Regarding the sync icons, I believe you'll find the info in this article very useful and explanatory.

As for making all your files and folders available offline, try right/control-clicking the Dropbox folder itself on the Mac Mini and choosing "make available offline"; this should download everything in the Dropbox folder.

I hope this helps!

llw212

I answered this yesterday, but my answer does no appear.
1. Version 225.4.4896.
2. I am on a mac mini, Sequoia 15.5. Under the Sync tab, there is no "Modify." There is "Select folders."
3. Is there a way to upload attachments/screenshots???
My problem remains the same, unabated.

Hannah

Hey @llw212, I think you re-answered my initial questions on my first reply here on the thread; I posted another reply, would you mind taking another look to see if you can find it?

To send us screenshots, you can either click on the camera icon on the bottom of the reply box when typing your reply, or you can just copy and paste your screenshot in the reply box.

TonyC3

Hi Hannah i have the same problem with 15 years of dropbox files now not accessible on any of my devices. I just bought a new Mac book pro and did the stanard migration process and then in drop box all my files now have a selective sync conflict and i cant open any of them. Ive been using dropbox for many years withiout this issue

Walter

Hi @TonyC3 - sorry to hear about this.

Can you please clarify your computer's exact OS version and the version/status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your menu bar?

Also, did you take a look at this Help Center article to see if it helps?

llw212

Hannah,

Pls re-sent the reply you think I overlooked; I don't see it.
While my usage of dropbox has always been on my computer, I have, tediously, been deleting the "Selective Sync Conflict" from the online interface in the hopes that ONE delete will remove the "Selective Sync Conflict" from all three devices -- mini, MBP, old imac.
The web interfaces are another horror show.
I am on Mac OS Sequoia 15.5.
-Chrome is my default browse, but several days, ago, when Idid a search for "Selective Sync Conflict" folders to delete en masse, I had to use the Safari dropbox interface because Chrome did not show the Delete option at the top of the page for multiple selected files to delete.
-Yesterday and today, Safari is now missing the Delete option, and Delete shows on Chrome.

Pls consider this a harsh complaint of dropbox functionality and support. I don't feel like a paid customer for 10 years. I feel like an unpaid beta tester. Worse, I have little confidence that the files I am not deleting will remain intact.

Hannah

Hey @llw212, thanks for taking the time to get back to me.

I do understand where you're coming from and I wanted to assure you that I passed your comments and feedback along to our team.

Regarding the website, it might help if you cleared your browser's cache.

I'm also including a copy of my previous response to you and I really hope it helps:

Regarding the sync icons, I believe you'll find the info in this article very useful and explanatory.

Charm3d

I got here because of the same situation. New Mac, install Dropbox, start syncing, a voila mayhem starts. Dropbox user for over 10 years, never a problem before.

Jay

Hi @Charm3d, thanks for the info.

Did you use any backup features on the Mac, such as Time Machine, to restore your files, or did you install the Dropbox desktop application fresh and let the files download via the app?

Albionic Man

I have just replaced my Mac with a Macbook Air, and I have the same problem. All my devices show Selective Sync conflict on a large number of files. Don't understand which files and why.

Megan

Hey @Albionic Man, let's jump right into this!

There's a relevant Help Center article, that explains how this happened, and the steps to resolve it.

Can you try what's mentioned there, and let me know if you have any questions?

Thanks a bunch!

Jay

Hi @Albionic Man, just checking to see if you saw our last reply.
If you still need any help, feel free to reach out to us again.
If your issue has been solved, let us know what worked for you!