Root directory suddenly crowded with subfolders and conflict copies

Question

Previously (read: last week and earlier): All Dropbox root directory folders were visible in Finder. Various subfolders (and subsequent levels deeper) were toggled for "online only" to retain storage space on the 2T drive.

Within the past week: The Dropbox root directory is suddenly riddled with subfolders that relocated/promoted themselves "upward" (in some cases, coming from two or three levels deeper in the file tree). Each is labeled "Selective Sync Conflict."

Accessing Dropbox through a web browser mirrors the scrambled mess seen in Finder.

I haven't changed any settings, nor have I been changing the "online only" vs. local drive status on these folders and files.

What is happening…and why? Figuring out where the smaller subfolders folders belong is going to require a Ouiji board and magical fairy dust. It's a hot mess.

• Dropbox version 277.4.4974

• MacOS version  27.0.1 Golden Gate on MacBook Air with only 40% of the storage space in use

Hannah · Answer

Hey @PaperQueen, sorry to see that you're having issues with this.

You mentioned in your original post that you changed the relevant files to "online-only". Can you let me know the exact steps you followed to do so?

Just want to know whether you used the "online-only/available offline" process or "selective sync".

One more thing you could also look into, is our rewind feature. Since all these changes synced to your account online, you could use it to rewind the account back to a time before all this happened.

I hope this helps!

PaperQueen · Answer

UPDATE:

The "Selective Sync Conflict" copies were partial duplicates of files from multiple different subfolders one and two levels deeper in the file tree. They did not follow a pattern, nor were they related to a particular app or file format.

No automations were created or used (I prefer to retain manual control).

Having explored this further, all signs point to the recent Dropbox app update (277.4.4974) triggering the event, per other Dropbox users in multiple forums.

What a nightmare.

Vicker · Answer

Hi @PaperQueen,

Normally, Dropbox won't move folders on its own. Do the moved folders follow any specific pattern? Any chance they are all related to a particular app or file format?

Just in case, you can also check the affected folders to see whether any automations have been created.

Do check out the official documentation below about Dropbox automation.

Dropbox automation options

https://help.dropbox.com/organize/dropbox-automations

Cheers

Vicker