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Forum Discussion

ctyrider's avatar
ctyrider
Explorer | Level 3
21 days ago

How can I have my Dropbox folder on an external drive with macOS on File Provider?

What is the deal with External drive support for Dropbox for macOS on File Provider, as described in this article?   https://help.dropbox.com/installs/mac-external-drive-support   I am on the...
Desktop
Dropbox Backup
Mac
Setting up the apps
Hannah's avatar
Hannah
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
19 days ago

Hey ctyrider, thanks for joining our Community.

 

Where is your Dropbox folder currently located?

 

If it's already (and has always been) on your external drive, you won't be able to update to the File Provider version of Dropbox and subsequently, you won't be able to utilize the File Provider version of the external drive support.

 

Let me know more about your current setup and we'll go from there.

  • ctyrider's avatar
    ctyrider
    Explorer | Level 3
    19 days ago

    Hannah,

     

    My Dropbox folder is in its default location on internal drive:

     

       /Users/myusername/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox

     

    I am following the exact steps described in your article to move to External drive:

     

    To move the Dropbox folder:

    Click the Dropbox icon in the menu bar.

    Click your profile picture or initials.

    Click Preferences.

    Click Account.

    Click Sign out.

    Click Sign in with Dropbox.

    Click Next.

    Click Advanced settings when you see, “You're almost finished.” 

    Under Dropbox folder location, select a folder location.

    You can choose to store the Dropbox folder on your external drive from this screen.

    Click Done.

     

    Upon completion - the client says I am no longer in "File Provider" mode, and I am ineligible to covert to it.   What I am missing?

     

    • Megan's avatar
      Megan
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      18 days ago

      Hey ctyrider, thanks for your patience here! 

       

      Would you mind checking how many files you're syncing to your Dropbox folder? You should be able to check that by seeing your folder's properties. 

      • ctyrider's avatar
        ctyrider
        Explorer | Level 3
        18 days ago
        Megan wrote:

        Hey ctyrider, thanks for your patience here! 

         

        Would you mind checking how many files you're syncing to your Dropbox folder? You should be able to check that by seeing your folder's properties. 

        There is only a handful of folders/files - less than 20.   I am using my test Dropbox account to see how migration to external drive would work, before I do anything with my main production account.   

         

        It does not work for me, as described in your "External drive support for Dropbox for macOS on File Provider" article.   

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