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kikashi's avatar
kikashi
Helpful | Level 7
2 years ago

Aliases on Mac

Dropbox 178.4.4811, MacOS Ventura

 

I upgraded Dropbox to use File Provider, so the Dropbox folder now lives in ~/Library/CloudServices. Aliases no longer work.

 

1. If I create an alias to a folder (actually, to a package) in Dropbox by right-clicking and selecting "Make alias", the alias appears with the correct icon, but after a moment the icon changes to generic file icon. Double-clicking it produces a message saying that it's "used by the system" and can't be opened.

 

2. If I pause Dropbox syncing, I can create an alias and use it. However, as soon as I turn syncing back on, the above happens. If the alias is moved out of the Dropbox folder before I resume syncing, it continues to work.

 

Similar aliases which were created before the upgrade to File Provider continue to work as well.

 

Clearly, it's something Dropbox is doing. It's rather a nuisance, as I use such aliases quite heavily. Is there a solution?

  • The current version of Dropbox can't cope with aliases to packages. I hope it'll be fixed.

  • kikashi's avatar
    kikashi
    Helpful | Level 7

    PS: I tried using soft links instead of aliases and Dropbox got awfully confused, so that's not an answer.

    • kikashi's avatar
      kikashi
      Helpful | Level 7

      The current version of Dropbox can't cope with aliases to packages. I hope it'll be fixed.

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

        Hey kikashi, I just wanted to mention that this is part of the expected changed with the new version of the desktop app for Mac OS.

         

        You can read more about it here.