A "Preparing to move to ..." error keeps showing up on my macOS 26.4 (File Provider).

Question

(Kind of amazed that I today can't find anything when search on Preparing to move [to] … Can't believe I'm the only one having this problem. )

Been using Dropbox since 2010 and it has had it's ups and downs and definitely feel it has worsened user experience since Dropbox changed to Apples file-provider services in 2022-2023.

Saying this as I have very extensive experience of using Dropbox and to the larger degree, quite positive experiences.

But, since a few weeks ago when I updated my system to macOS 26.4, I've started getting "Preparing to move to"… dialogs very frequently. And dialogs that stays up for seconds, sometimes quite a few.

Just run the problem in ChatGTP which has lots of explanations including recommendation to move files in terminal…. Not tried anything yet.

Posting this here to see what others has come up with. And hopefully also some comments from Dropbox the company itself.

Johsar · Answer

(Yeah, was really wondering when didn't really get too much replies on searches…) I'm working in macOS Finder app and the dialogs are frequently popping up when moving files from (e.g.) Downloads/Desktop/local areas onto Dropbox-handled locations. Each dialog has information (would love to been able to include screenshot here): (line "1") "Preparing to move to" (line "2") progress bar - which often moves quite slowly, nowadays (line "3") more details, e.g. "Preparing to move 4 items" I get these dialogs for both smaller and larger files/folders so it's not really a question of size. Installed app is version 246.4.3513, now - since this morning - on macOS 26.4.1. syncing status is "Syncing…" but that is a different area of questions, actually. I've had this for a looooong time, talking months if not years. It shows this but I have not been able to figure out exactly what's going on / why. As can't seen issues among my files not been synced. And when actually do filesystem changes, I do get "Syncing files" until items been synced, and then back to "Syncing…"

Nancy · Answer

Hi @Johsar! Thanks for posting on our forum today.

I’m glad to hear that searching on our Community is normally working for you again.

As for your desktop app, does this dialog appear after taking a specific action on your Dropbox app, or does it show up randomly on your screen?

Does it mention anything else, besides "Preparing to move to”?

I’d also like to know the current syncing status and app version of your Dropbox app.

Let me know this info, and we’ll go from there.

Johsar · Answer

(Ah, I know realize Dropbox Community have had problems this morning (US time) as search functionality didn't return results on basically any search terms used. Just as I was started writing a Post around searching the community it started working and I do get results, of general searches. Still to solve my Preparing to move - problem.)