We are aware of the issue with the badge emails resending to everyone, we apologise for the inconvenience - learn more here.

Forum Discussion

stairjoke's avatar
stairjoke
Helpful | Level 5
10 months ago

Desktop app requests admin password on macOS

Years ago I stopped using Dropbox, because it kept insisting that I enter my admin password for my Mac into a fake looking dialog box. Now I had to re-install it, because a customer insists on using Dropbox. This issue still persists: When signing into my macOS user account, Dropbox pops up a dialog asking me to hand over admin privileges, providing me with a vague reason. I always deny that and I will continue to refuse entering my password.

 

How do I stop Dropbox from asking?

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hey stairjoke, thanks for joining our Community.

     

    Can you please send us a screenshot of the pop-up, so we can have a visual?

     

    Thanks in advance.

    • stairjoke's avatar
      stairjoke
      Helpful | Level 5

      Hello,

      sorry about the delay, the password prompt only seems to show every couple of reboots, today it showed again — I declined again. This dialog box just gives the reason "for Dropbox to work properly." There is no explanation what the app will do with the admin privileges, or how to take these away in the future.

       

      It feels very sketchy and untrustworthy, and it feels like a security risk. No other app asks for what is the equivalent of a signed blank cheque. I would like to use Dropbox, but if this is what I need to give up in order to do so, I won’t use it.

       

      Here is the dialog box that pops up:

      Screenshot of a dialog box showing the Dropbox logo and asking for an administrators password.

       

      P.S: Downloading files in your Web-App using Safari doesn’t work. Hasn’t worked in a long time. I always have to use Firefox or Chrome to download files from Dropbox.

      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hi stairjoke, in general, the Dropbox desktop app requires admin privileges, so that functionalities like syncing icons and right-click context menus may appear in your local Dropbox folder (you can also check this Help Center article). 

         

        As for the issue you’re having on your Safari browser, I’d be more than happy to look into it, if you want me to.

         

        Can you clarify what’s the browser version Safari is running, as well as the average size of files you’re usually trying to download? If you use an incognito window on your Safari browser, does the issue persist?

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!