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Tom R.5's avatar
Tom R.5
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago

Dropbox on macOS Monterey lost my Documents folder AND ITS CONTENTS

I now have two machines, a MacStudio (M1max processor) and a MacPro (Intel processor). The contents of $HOME/Documents got lost on the MacPro. I also have a laptop (MacbookPro, macOS Monterey) which ...
Computer Backup
Desktop
Dropbox Backup
Sync
Megan's avatar
Megan
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
2 years ago

Hi Tom R.5, let's jump right into this! 

 

Keep in mind, that when you use the Computer backup feature, that creates a Backup with the name of each device, that syncs online. 

 

You should be able to see your Backups from other devices synced locally, however it would be a separate folder, inside your Dropbox folder, not merged with your current Backup.

 

Now, in regards to your MacStudio, could you try to enable hidden files, and see if you can locate the folder there? You can try this by pressing Command+Shift+Dot.

 

One more thing, that I'd like for you to check, is the Backup page online, and let me know what you find. Is your Documents folder visible there?

 

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!

  • Tom R.5's avatar
    Tom R.5
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 years ago

    The backups of Documents and Desktop are fine and I see them on Dropbox.com. I have since disabled them, as they are not useful -- I need Documents to SYNC.

     

    I have found a workaround, and will describe it in a new thread and link that into this one.

     

  • BobaHoTep's avatar
    BobaHoTep
    New member | Level 2
    2 years ago

    I have the same problem. If I got into terminal and navigate to ~/Documents I see a number of folders - however, if I go to Documents in Finder I don't see any folders or files. Hitting cmd+shift+dot does nothing as these files are not hidden. This only happened after Dropbox did some kind of update and moved stuff around. Super annoying - can someone at Dropbox confirm this is a known issue and is going to receive a fix? The solution in this thread is insanely destructive and a no-go for me. 

    • Tom R.5's avatar
      Tom R.5
      Helpful | Level 6
      2 years ago

      Try: AppleMenu/ForceQuit and force the Finder to relaunch.

       

      The Finder remembers the configuration of Documents (and probably other folders), so if you change where Documents is located you need to relaunch the Finder.

      • BobaHoTep's avatar
        BobaHoTep
        New member | Level 2
        2 years ago

        embarrassingly that worked - thanks 🙂 

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