Child Item

What are the differences between the legacy version of the Dropbox app and File Provider?

Operating System/Browser (if using the web)

Mac OS 26.2

Question or Issue

I use DB on my desktop and work with 3 other people, sharing and updating Word docs and videos from Zoom.

We've been doing this since 2012 and I am sure we all use the Legacy version. Not even sure when DB started using File Provider.

I have been having sync/permission/CPU issues. My computer has been slow and DB is a CPU hog.

I spent money and a LOT of time with "Just Ask" while he diddled with Terminal and permissions, but this did not really solve the sync/permission issue and now each time I restart I have to enter my computer password:

"Dropbox needs to change permissions for the Folder: /Users/betty/Dropbox"

There also seems to be some kind of conflict with iCloud. I created a folder "Computer Issues" on my Desktop (doesn't sync with Dropbox) to track several problems. I named one folder within this folder "Dropbox." I realized yesterday (maybe after I updated the MacOS?) there were little clouds on and within this folder. I renamed the "Dropbox" folder "DB" and all the clouds disappeared! Explain that please! I am really a novice - I am just exploring and don't trust "Just Ask."

In exploring solutions I learned of the File Provider version and am thinking this might just solve some of these problems.

My question concerns the cons of updating to the File Provider version. And do you think this might solve my problem?

I was not very impressed with "Just Ask!"

Thank you for your help,

Find more posts tagged with

Desktop

Sync

Mac

Insightful

Closed - Partially Delivered

Accepted answers

Rich

Neha H. wrote:
When I click on the link I get the message, "message cannot be found".

Your messages were being caught by the spam system. I've released the messages and merged them all into a single thread.

All comments

Neha H.

When I click on the link I get the message, "message cannot be found".

It was a long message - if it really cannot be found I will ask again.

Can it REALLY not be found???

Neha H.

I am re-writing my question as my message seems to have been lost. (😞)

I use Dropbox on my desktop (just updated to MacOS 26.2) and share files and videos and have been doing this since 2012. I am still using the Legacy version and was unaware of the File Provider version.

I was having sync and permissions issues and spent money and LOTS of time with "Just Ask." (11/10/25; MacOS 15.6.1; 189 files were unable to sync) He diddled a lot with Terminal, change psd files to jpeg (which helped), but in the end it seems I still have issues with permissions and sync - "there are 2 files unable to sync" and when I restart my computer I get a message I never had before: "Dropbox needs to change permissions to the Folder:/Users/betty/Dropbox.

My computer has been very slow and it turns out DropBox is a CPU hog. This is a screenshot from yesterday when I was at Apple for a battery replacement:

A few weeks ago I created a folder on my desktop "Computer issues" to track different problems I have been having. One folder within this folder I named "Dropbox." After learning about the CPU I discovered clouds on folder:

I changed the name of the Dropbox folder to "DB" and the clouds disappeared (!??). Does this represent some kind of conflict of Dropbox with iCloud?

Would my sync/permissions/GPU problems be solved if I update to the File Provider version?

What are the cons? (I have seen some posts of people trying to but unable to revert).

Neha H.

Seems this got lost again???

This time I happen to have a copy! But frankly I am toor tire to upload images for the third time - this time you just get text.

My computer has been very slow and it turns out DropBox is a CPU hog. This is a screenshot from yesterday when I was at Apple for a battery replacement:

I changed the name of the Dropbox folder to "DB" and the clouds disappeared (!??). Does this represent some kind of conflict of Dropbox with iCloud?

Would my sync/permissions/GPU problems be solved if I update to the File Provider version?

What are the cons? (I have seen some posts of people trying to but unable to revert).

Rich

Neha H. wrote:
When I click on the link I get the message, "message cannot be found".

Your messages were being caught by the spam system. I've released the messages and merged them all into a single thread.

Neha H.

Thank you for doing that Rich

Jay

Hi @Neha H., thanks for messaging the Community.

Could you confirm the exact location for the Dropbox folder according to the Dropbox desktop application using these steps?

This will help me to determine if you're of the legacy or File Provider version of the app.

Keep me posted!

Neha H.

Thank you Jay!

The path to the Dropbox folder is MacHD>Users>betty>Documents

Funny - when I followed the steps you suggested, it just highlighted the Dropbox folder in my Favorites bar (but I already knew where it was).

Jay

Thanks for the info. This means that the Dropbox desktop application is using the legacy version, as the Dropbox folder is in the old location.

If it was using File Provider, then the Dropbox folder would be in the CloudStorage folder in Locations on the Mac.

I wouldn't recommend renaming the Dropbox folder as it can cause problems with syncing.

Could you try reinstalling the Dropbox desktop application, without uninstalling it first, by using this link?

Neha H.

Thank you Jay.

Before I do this, I have a question. When I add my DropBox folder to the CloudStorage folder, will I be paying twice for this storage? I pay for DropBox and I pay for iCloud.

Thanks!

Neha H.

And what is the advantage of doing this?

Neha H.

And the disadvantage? I read that some people try unsuccessfully to bring back their Legacy version.

Jay

The CloudStorage folder is just a location on your Mac device, it doesn't mean that the files are stored on iCloud. This would be the same folder as other cloud providers.

If you're happy with the way Dropbox is currently working, then you don't need to upgrade to File Provider.

In general, when using a new Mac device, File Provider would be required as part of the Mac OS changes. As you've noted, some users were unable to return to the legacy version after upgrading to File PRovider.

Neha H.

Thank you Jay, for letting me know CloudStorage is different than iCloud.

Do I need to un-install the legacy version first, before installing the Dropbox Desktop application? I'm ready to take the plunge. I've been having issues with permissions and so I don't think the Legacy version is working as well as it could.

Nancy

Hi from me too, @Neha H.! You can try reinstalling the Dropbox app without uninstalling first (with the link Jay also provided here).