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Alexander M.29's avatar
Alexander M.29
Explorer | Level 4
7 years ago

Why Dropbox asks for a computer password upon each startup? (macOS HSierra, Mohave)

Hello! 

Can someont please clarify why each time Dropbox App starts it askes for my computer login and password? Why does it even NEED my computer password? 

See the screeenshot in attach. It's in Russian, but it tells us to enter my computer login and password "for Dropbox app to fuction properly". While it functions properly even without it! Official support told me that "Dropbox app never asks for computer password" which made me even more suspicious.

Yes, I _AM_ aware of the former problem when Dropbox App just forgot to ask about "Accessibility Access". But I provided this access manually in Security preferences tab -> Accessibility an Dropbox App still asks for my computer password upon startup! Further more, if you DO provide this password - next time it will only ask for permission to "Accessibility"  instead of asking password again. I wonder where Dropbox App stores my very main password! 

Just WTF

Desktop
Mac
Security
Setting up the apps
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
     
    Basically, the app needs this permission to automatically update itself, use the Badge, and Finder extensions along with some other features.
     
    If this isn’t enabled, then you might miss out on these items.
     
    As this is occurring each time you reboot, try re-installing the desktop app with admin permissions as per the following article.
     
    Let me know how it goes!
    • AshleyB's avatar
      AshleyB
      Explorer | Level 4
      6 years ago

      Hi Jay, 

      I am having this issue constantly. I want to use it on an account that is not an administrator and that has parental control settings on. But every time we reboot, it still needs the dropbox administrator password. Any ideas?

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        6 years ago
        Hi Ashley, it sounds like the issue is similar to this article. 
         
        Are you able to make any changes from here that might help?
         
        Keep me posted!
  • cob24's avatar
    cob24
    Explorer | Level 3
    6 years ago

    Hi!

    I installed the Dropbox app for Mac OS few days ago. Since then, every time I start Mac OS a prompt appears asking for the root password for Dropbox to work properly. Why is the root password required for Dropbox to work properly? And how can I avoid it from asking everytime I start my computer?

    Thanks.

    • Daphne's avatar
      Daphne
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      6 years ago

      Hey there cob24,

      I've merged your post here as it seems that you're having the same issue. Can you please check Jay's reply here and let me know if reinstalling with admin permissions does the trick for you.

      Keep me posted - thanks!

      • cob24's avatar
        cob24
        Explorer | Level 3
        6 years ago

        Hello! Thanks for your fast answer.

        I have tried to uninstall an reinstall the app again and then I have tried what is in Jay's answer, that is, opening the setings app, clicking on users and groups, then login items and removing dropbox from there to readd it again later. Sadly this did not work out. I keeps prompting every time I open the app.

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