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Forum Discussion

Jon C.10's avatar
Jon C.10
Collaborator | Level 8
2 years ago

Dropbox removing external disk support for Mac users

In case anyone's unaware... if you're a Mac user storing your Dropbox on an external drive, you'll shortly lose that ability.   https://talk.tidbits.com/t/dropbox-drops-support-for-storing-files-...
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  • BenDBX's avatar
    BenDBX
    6 months ago
    Hi Everybody,
     
    We’re excited to share that external drive support for Dropbox for macOS on File Provider is now available for testing as a beta feature. This is available to some users today and will be available to additional users on a rolling basis. In order to be eligible to test this feature, please follow the instructions in this Help Center article. 
     
    Keep in mind that participation in beta programs is subject to the certain terms and conditions. There are certain additional participation requirements:
    • This beta is only available to US-based users
    • You must be on macOS 15 beta
    • You must have an external drive that is APFS formatted and encrypted
     
    Please let me know if you have any further questions!
dompom's avatar
dompom
New member | Level 1

Hello, I have been using Dropbox with 2 Macs under macOS on File Provider for a few weeks. No issue.

But then I set up a new Mac mini M4 with an external home folder on SSD. My Dropbox does not want to go to CloudStorage any longer; Dropbox preferences on that computer says I am NOT eligible to macOS on File Provider because my DB folder location is not supported. I am on APFS but not encrypted. The only thing that seems missing is encrypted. 

Any body has experience of that ?

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
11 days ago

Hey dompom - I just wanted to mention that, as outlined here, your external drive should be encrypted.

I hope this clarifies! 

  • dompom's avatar
    dompom
    New member | Level 1
    10 days ago

    Hello Walter, thanks for confirming. I have now encrypted my external SSD, deleted Dropbox app and related files in the library (that I could find), and reinstalled it. However DB Sync prefs still show folder location not supported. What solution can you suggest ?

     

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      7 days ago

      Hi dompom, just for clarification, is your entire Home folder on your Mac located on the external drive, as you mentioned?

       

      If so, then this wouldn't be supported by the Dropbox desktop application, since it would expect the Home folder to be located on the internal drive. 

       

      If this was the case, then you would be eligible for the Dropbox folder to be stored on the external drive.

      • dompom's avatar
        dompom
        New member | Level 1
        7 days ago

        yes my entire home folder is on external SSD as mentioned at the very beginning and as shown in the previous attachment. I am surprised Dropbox does not support that configuration with the new Apple API since OneDrive and Box do. No big issue, just strange that DB is lagging on adoption.

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