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Forum Discussion
Backup folder name change
Hello! I have 2 macs, one personal and one for work. Both had backup enabled and when I went online, I saw both computers' backup directories. The directories were both in the format of "My Mac (computername)" However, recently I disabled the Dropbox backup on my work laptop because I didn't think it would be wise to backup my work stuff to Dropbox. But I was subsequently told it was OK, so I re-enabled the backup. While everything was uploaded to Dropbox just fine, the name of the work laptop backup directory is now simply "Mac (2)". I would like to rename the folder to the "My Mac" format I previously had, but it is not letting me rename the folder. Any assistance would be great. Thanks in advance.
I know there already exists quite some discussions on this, but wanted to create a new one just to (try to) raise the importance of this request.
It's unbelievable that after more than 3 years (!!) we are still not able to rename OUR own backup folders in Dropbox.I often have several MacBooks at home, plus several other Mac devices. To differentiate between them I give them character names. These names appear on programs like Find My, which makes it much easier to tell my devices apart. However, on Dropbox, backups are named after the generic device types; their unique custom names doesn't transfer, so I'm left wondering which of my MacBook desktop backups I'm looking at on Dropbox. Being able to automatically transfer devices' unique names to Dropbox - or at least manually type them in - would be an improvement.
This issue has caused me all sorts of problems too.
I have two computers; a desktop and a laptop, both of which are backed up using DropBox.
Where both backups are simply labelled as 'Mac' and "Mac2', I have no clarification which is the iMac and which is the MacBook Pro.
Whilst on my MBP, I tried to sync a folder from my iMac, but I inadvertently synced the MCP, thus creating a folder of the laptop on the same laptop. This somehow completely rewired the routing on my laptop and created alias folder of all my fundamental folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, etc.). It also gave itself priority so if I export something to the Desktop, it actually goes to the alias folder; Dropbox > Mac2 > Desktop.
I can't even begin to tell you the problems this has caused me, all of which could have been very easily avoided if only we were able to name the backups in DropBox to make things crystal clear.
Come on DropBox, please sort it out!There are lots of posts here about this issue, has anyone managed to solve it??
The name of the folder used to store my computer's backup in my Dropbox seems to be random - "Mac (2)" at the moment. This looks really unprofessional and I need to change it.
I have tried every piece of advice I have been able to find here:
- I have unlinked my device (macOS) on the Dropbox site — in any case, the device name was correct there
- I have changed my device name in Preferences > Sharing on my Mac — I have tried renaming it several times
- I have turned off backups, waited for everything to sync and for the backup folder to be deleted both locally and on the site
- I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app
Is this actually possible? Is there anyone from Dropbox here who can help? It seems a rather straightforward question to ask, but the answers are very unhelpful.
Bottom line: is it possible to configure this name on macOS and, if so, how? Is it necessary to delete the entire account and start from scratch? Of course, that is the most drastic solution, but then there is no guarantee that will even work! 😂
A direct answer to these question please Dropbox?
- Rich
Super User II
marknorgate wrote:
Bottom line: is it possible to configure this name on macOS and, if so, how?
No. Originally, the folder included the name of the computer being backed up. Now, the folder will simply be called PC or Mac, with a number being added for each new device of that type that is being backed up.
- Ok, that’s a shame.
Thanks.
This would indeed be very helpful. I've seen a couple others requesting this, especially Business users who's employees are all confused with the naming of the folders. I've also tried to fix this and only came upon this discussion in the Dropbox forum with no solution.
It would be great to be able to assign a name to the backup folder when turning on the Computer Backup feature, if it is not possible to change it after the feature is already turned on (although that would be even more convenient).
PLEASE consider adding this very simple folder-naming step to future releases. It would make managing/navigating backups much easier and more professional-looking.- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey, sorry for the delay here!
So, it seems this is a change to help simplify things, but the folder name cannot be altered.
The first computer to get connected to the account is the one named 'Mac' and then the next one 'Mac (2)' and so on.
I will however, pass your feedback about this to the dev team.
If there's anything else you'd like to ask, just let me know!Hi @Hannah,
As it is currently set up, the naming convention is confusing and inconvenient and it is in a critical place of the software. Distinguishing computers from each other is a challenge even with small numbers and there seems to be no way of identifying the computers except for comparing files.
We need a renaming function that works without removing the computers, I would go so far as to call it broken in its current state.
Add me to the feedback list and additionally try to alert someone in the dev team to this.
All the best,
Samuli
- HannahThanks guys for the nudges here.
I'm afraid there's currently no way to change the names of the backup folders.
You're welcome to post an idea about this on our idea board, though, for others to upvote.
Hey Hannah, I have this exact same issue, only for me I upgraded to a new Mac, and now the old one is Mac and the new one is Mac (2). It's really frustrating! Hope y'all can fix this so we can edit the computer names soon!
- Walter
Hey seanscottusa, thanks for the feedback on this one!
I just wanted to mention that this is already in the works as some backups and backup folders are currently able to be renamed.
We are currently working to upgrade all backups to have similar functionality.
If you'd like to track this idea, you can have a look here.
That is not fair we are not able to change names of program and makes your program unusable for that feature for businesses that have multiple computers they do not all want named the same.
Has this been fixed yet?
