Child Item

How to sync to an external Thunderbolt 3 SSD Drive on Mac?

Device
Mac Studio M1 Max
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
macOS Tahoe 26.2
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
(240.4.8609)
Dropbox Plan
(Plus)

Question or Issue
I have purchased a 2TB Thunderbolt 3 SSD to use as an external drive for Dropbox as I am running out of space on my 1TB drive in the Mac Studio. For the life of me, I cannot figure out a way in Preferences to point it to the external TB3 SSD drive.

It says I am using Dropbox on File Provider and I cannot see the option that will allow me to point it to the external drive. I had previously done so in the past with no problems, till the update to macOS Tahoe when suddenly the link to the external USB-C drive was severed. It worked for a while as I have sufficient space on my 1TB and I did selective sync. Now, I am running out of storage space, I appreciate guidance.

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Comments

Walter

Hi there @3amedia - thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to the Community!

As a first step, have you ensured that you're eligible as per this help center article?

Let me know and we'll take it from there.

Megan

Hey @3amedia!

Hope things are going smoothly! Just wanted to check if you still need a hand. If all's well, feel free to share what did the trick.

Andywinter

I have the same issue - and I believe I am eligible - can you help me?

Hannah

Hey @Andywinter, thanks for your reply on this thread.

Can you give us a bit more info on your setup?

What's your computer's macOS version and what's your Dropbox app version and sync status?

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

Also, if you're eligible per the Help Center article Walter linked above, did you try the steps provided in the article to move your Dropbox folder, to see if they help?

Andywinter

Hi Hannah

I'm on MACOS 26.3 using Dropbox 243.3.6933

Hannah

Thanks for that, Andy!

What about the steps in the article I hyperlinked? Did you get a chance to try them? And if so, are you having any issues?

Andywinter

I did. There was no Advanced settings option when I signed back in again.

Megan

Hey @Andywinter!

Can you please try the same steps again and send us a screenshot of what you see after signing in? Thanks a bunch!

Andywinter

I signed out and back in again and this time I did get an Advanced Settings option. I have an encrypted external SSD which I can use. But what's the deal with Dropbox on File Provider? How do I make sure all the Dropbox folders actually go on the external SSD?

Andywinter

Actually I tried opting out - and all the files are going on my external. But the folders don't have Dropbox context menu options

Megan

Hey @Andywinter!

In order to be able to see the context menu options, the app needs to be fully updated. As a first step, please let me know the syncing status of your app.

Also, based on the app version that you're using (243.3.6933) it sounds like you have the beta version installed instead of the stable one. That could be the culprit there.

If the app is up-to-date but the context menu is still missing, can you try to uninstall Dropbox from your computer using these steps?

Once you do this, please access your account settings online and then toggle the Early Access setting to Off. After that reinstall the stable version using this link.

I'll be waiting for your update once you try this, to let me know if the behavior remains the same.

If it does, please send some screenshots of what you see when you see when you right click on a folder, in order for me to have a visual. Thanks!

Megan

Hey @Andywinter!

Just popping in to see if you've had a chance to look at our last message. Still need help? We're all ears! If the issue is sorted, let us know what worked out for you.