Application Affected
Dropbox

Device
Apple MacBook Pro M1 Max, 64Gb of RAM, 2Tb SDD 
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
MacOS Tahoe 26.2
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
240.4.8493 (I got this from the "Get Info" in the finder)

Question or Issue
1) Whenever I double-click the dropbox app, it opens the dropbox FOLDER in the finder.  How do I open the app?   

2) The menu bar icon, which previously would show sync status, sync issues, and provides access to preferences, is not shown.  I have a 36" screen, and it isn't a case of "hidden" menu items.

3) I know that the app is (mostly?) running.  Control-Clicking on a file shows the dropbox commands within the context menu.  (See image below.)

I also know its running because the various apps are shown in "Activity Monitor" (image below.)

Steps I've done to try to solve the problem:

1. Uninstall Dropbox
2. Reinstall Dropbox
3. Restart the computer.

I don't feel comfortable doing the "Advanced Install", as it appears that doing so means losing all of my "selective sync" settings, which I've been setting up for years.  (And since I can't get into the app's "prefs", I can't super easily see what is selectively synced or not.

I'm at the point where I'm ready to toss the program out and move everything to Google, but I REALLY LOVE the program, and am hoping that I'm simply missing something simple, and there there is a quick fix.

Thanks - Randall

After this:

• A large folder of team video files is now showing inside my personal Dropbox
• These files are taking up my personal storage
• This was not the case before, they were only accessible through the team

I’m not trying to delete these files. I need things restored to how they were before:

• I should not be removed from the team
• These files should not be stored in or counted against my personal account

Can someone explain:

1. How I was removed without the owner doing it?
2. Why team files appear to have been transferred into my personal account?
3. How to reverse this so access and storage go back to the original setup?

Any help would be appreciated.

I am running the latest Dropbox on MacOS Tahoe v26.3 (not a new install).  As you can see, I have always had my files set to be available offline:

However, any time I upload a file, it does not download to my computer as expected:

How do I instruct Dropbox to always keep my files offline?  I do not have any ignore rules or any other special circumstances, and the computer has ample storage space.  Finally, I am on the Dropbox Plus plan, and I'm using around 10G of the 2T available.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thank you,

Josh

After a routine restart, the Dropbox desktop app lost its login state and now cannot relink to the existing File Provider folder at ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox; instead the installer tries to create a new Dropbox folder.

I have been successfully using Dropbox with the macOS File Provider configuration (CloudStorage location) for several months. My Dropbox folder has consistently been located at: /Users/xyz/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox

I did not reinstall the Dropbox application and I did not intentionally sign out or attempt to relink my account. The issue appears to have started after a routine computer restart, at which point the Dropbox desktop client seemed to lose its login state.

When I start the app now, the first thing I see is a “Welcome to Dropbox” message and the menu bar icon indicates that the application is “Waiting to be linked to a Dropbox account.”

My existing Dropbox folder remains intact. The folder at /Users/xyz/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox still contains all my files. The .dropbox marker file is present in that folder. All files are also visible and intact on dropbox.com.

When I attempt to sign in through the desktop app, the following occurs. The app asks me to sign in with Dropbox. After signing in, the setup process shows the message “There’s already a folder named Dropbox.” If I select “Choose Another Location” and point to the existing folder, the dialog says “A folder named ‘Dropbox’ will be created inside the folder you select.”

This suggests the installer is trying to create a new Dropbox folder rather than adopt the existing File Provider folder.

Because of that message I have not proceeded, since it appears it would create a nested structure such as: /Users/xyz/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/Dropbox

Currently the Dropbox icon appears in the menu bar but is greyed out and the client shows the state “Waiting to be linked to a Dropbox account.”

To summarize:

I was already using the CloudStorage/File Provider location successfully for months.

I did not reinstall Dropbox.

I did not intentionally unlink the account.

The existing Dropbox folder and files are still present and intact.

The client appears unable to relink to the existing File Provider folder and instead tries to create a new one.

During the setup flow the client also displayed the message that the desktop app cannot sync over 500,000 files. I am not sure if this is related. However, only about 150–200k files are synced locally on my iMac.

I also discovered the identical situation on my Windows PC starting at about the same time, which suggests this may be related to my Dropbox account rather than the individual devices or operating systems.

Could someone advise how to safely relink the Dropbox client to the existing File Provider folder at: /Users/xyz/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox without creating a second Dropbox folder?

I rely heavily on Dropbox for daily work, so I would greatly appreciate guidance.

Thank you.

Can only receive email, not send, but takes a long time to come through. 
Are there any devices connected to your Dropbox account?
PC

Question or Issue
I am trying to transfer my account over to my new gmail e-mail address, but I get error message saying that address is already taken.

By mistake, a long time ago, I created 2 Dropbox accounts.

On the 2nd of February, I paid $184 for an international Dropbox 

I have another Dropbox account which is linked to another email, and I am getting reminders that I need to pay or some of my files will be deleted.

Can I merge the 2 accounts so I pay only one fee?

Question or Issue
I've tried on a couple different browsers (Chrome, Safari) and I do not get verification emails to add a secondary email to my account.  I've checked Microsoft's Quarantine area in my 365 account, I've checked the Spam folders and logged into and re-sync'd the account numerous times but nothing is coming through.  (And interestingly I've seen a couple other people just post the same thing so perhaps there's an issue on your end that you're working on?)

I reported this bug 2 years ago and it hasn't been solved. My workaround is to pause dropbox everytime I'm about to export and then resume it. Not ideal

I'm with a group called NAPS (Nebraska Association of Nebraska Santas). Yes a group of about 30 Santas. It's just a social club. We get together once a month, have meal and talk about Santa stuff.

I'm looking to set something up for the group where we can place a few documents for everyone in the group to access.  Membership roster, meeting minutes, etc. 

So far, I've started a free account (we have no dues, so we have no money). I want to set the account up so the default is that everything is read only, with a couple of people that have edit access. Also, to be able to change a single document to edit access to all. 

Also, trying to figure out once we send out emails, pointing to the account. What happens as each person clicks the link? Do they have to se tup an entire account to gain access? (keep in mind, we are a lot of old guys with limited computer experience. I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible)  

I've been looking over the documentation and such, but it's overkill. Much more complex than I need, so I'm getting lost in the technical jargon.

Help? (it will help put you on the Nice list :) )

Today, the Dropbox desktop app only allows seamless use of one Business (Teams) account (plus optionally one Personal account). This creates a major problem for users who legitimately operate across multiple organizations.

Real-world use case

Many professionals today are involved with multiple companies at the same time, including:

• Business owners with multiple entities
• Holding companies with multiple subsidiaries
• Consultants / advisors supporting multiple clients
• Board members and fractional executives
• PE / investment professionals working across portfolio companies

In these cases, we often need separate Dropbox Business tenants for security, compliance, and clean separation.

The key point

• I am not asking for a workaround or a discount.
• I am willing to pay for multiple Dropbox Business subscriptions — but Dropbox currently does not provide a seamless way to run multiple Business accounts in the desktop app.
• What competitors already support
• Microsoft OneDrive/SharePoint supports multiple tenants cleanly, for example:

OneDrive – Company A

OneDrive – Company B

• Both sync simultaneously and appear natively in File Explorer/Finder.
• Dropbox currently forces users into clunky workarounds like:
• Using the browser for the second tenant
• Switching accounts repeatedly
• Creating separate OS user profiles
• Running virtual machines

These are not realistic solutions for modern workflows.

Why this matters

This limitation is not a “nice-to-have.” It is a core enterprise usability issue and increasingly a deciding factor for businesses choosing between Dropbox and Microsoft 365.

Dropbox is losing a valuable segment of customers who are willing to purchase multiple accounts — but cannot do so efficiently due to desktop client limitations.

Requested solution

Please add support for:

• Multiple Dropbox Business/Teams accounts logged in simultaneously
• Separate synced folders per tenant
• Seamless switching and visibility in Finder/File Explorer
• Clear tenant labeling and separation

Even supporting 2+ Business tenants would solve a massive problem for many professionals.

Bottom line

Dropbox is an excellent product, but this is a fundamental gap. Many of us want to keep using Dropbox and expand our usage across multiple businesses — but we need Dropbox to support the reality of multi-tenant work.

Thanks for considering this — I would strongly encourage Dropbox to prioritize this feature.

Edward Cook 

Co-Founder, McCarthy Cook & Co. 

We were the first landlord of Dropbox's HQ at China Basin in SF and owner of Castro Station in Mountain View where you used to work.

Come back to the office! You will be closer to your PAYING customers! I'm happy to double the amount we pay you monthly for new and better access and continue with Dropbox while you pursue true productivity gains harnessing AI

Any help?

Thanks, JakesMom

now i need to regain access on my account but i can not access authenticator app generating 2fa codes for the account now

is it possible to verificate from email instead of the 2fa code as i no longer have access to it

and the account is important to me

241.4.4853

Dropbox Plan
Family

Question or Issue
My files are on Dropbox online. I now need to download them to my Mac (I've tried this on both a Tahoe and a Sequoia machine). Although the Mac already has Desktop, Documents and Downloads folders, the Dropbox app creates a new parallel set of (virtual) folders under the same names, residing in the Dropbox folder (~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox. In the past Dropbox used to sync with the existing Apple folders, but that's not been the case since a few OS X/Dropbox versions. It is my understanding that the parallel folders are supposed to be there, but Mac would mirror these, to make it look like they are in the `Apple folders. It makes no difference whether either File Provider and/or Backup is on or off.

How do get rid of this double folder issue?

I have an old android handset - HTC- One with Dropbox app version 2.3.5.10. I am unable to unlink device from Dropbox. A message occurs Error: ' you must be online to unlink. Check your connection or try again'.  However, I am connected to WiFi.

I can access the website on my other devices laptop and mobile, but the old handset is not listed on the basic Dropbox account I have.

Appreciate if you can advise please.

Thanks

When I open preferences below is the dropbox folder location which is that of the previous employee. 

How can I resolve this issue?

I am using the Dropbox Desktop app and I would like to link my new Business Dropbox. Unfortunately, my previous' employers business Dropbox is still linked, but I can no longer sign in to this account to unlink it.

Is there a work around that does not require me to sign in to my old business dropbox?

Thank you!