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Forum Discussion
Can Dropbox be used as a backup with Time Machine?
Can dropbox be used for backup with time machine. How do I set it up?
- Its STRONGLY recommended that you dont - there are lots of threads on here about where it doesnt play well.
Its also worth remembering, and pointing out, that Dropbox isnt a back up tool. Its a syncing one and so you really shouldnt rely upon it as a back up one.
So as you say, dropbox is not a substitute for backing up. And you also say, do not use Time Machine with Dropbox. So, then, is one stuck without a backup solution if one uses Mac OS?
Until a solution is found. Dropbox is an excellent backup system. Turn off time machine and use Dropbox for backups. That is what I do. It’s saved me plenty of times.
macOS will also backup to iCloud. So time machine isn’t really needed anyway. But Dropbox will provide rollback functionality as well.
macOS will also backup to iCloud. So time machine isn’t really needed anyway. But Dropbox will provide rollback functionality as well.
I don't like being solely reliant on the cloud, whether dropbox or icloud drive. So TM is a must (i backup to multiple physical drives - 3 at last count!)
So looks like I will have no choice but to ditch DropBox, unless Dropbox confirms that OSX Monterey Time Machine and Dropbox are "compatible".
Are there any updates on this? Could this work? (i.e. saving the Dropbox folder to a Time Machine backup in macOS Monterey)
I understad that restoring from that backup to a machine that has Dropbox running could be problematic, so I can live with a limitation that if I want to restore from the Dropbox folder in Time Machine backup then I have to do it while Dropbox is not running and syncing on that machine.
Could this work if I exlcude these from the Time Machine backup and never attempt restoreing the whole Dropbox folder but only individual files/folders?
~/.dropbox/
~/.dropbox_bi
~/Dropbox/.dropbox
~/Dropbox/.dropbox.cache- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hi hologroove, how are you today?
The best option we'd suggest of course would be to not backup the folder at all and simply reconnect and sync your data from the web as it's the safest way to go on about it.
However, in theory, this could indeed work. We would have to keep some important parts in mind though:
The first thing you need to keep in mind, is to ensure that the app is up to date, before you start the restore. You can easily do that by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon, the one next to your WiFi and checking its version.
You can see all of our latest versions here.
Now, the next thing is to make sure that the app is indeed not running. Another one would be that the selected folders you choose to backup are ones that are like archival (ie wont have any updates), then this would work in theory yes.
Even after following all these steps, we can't guarantee that everything will go as planned, but you can always give it a go and if anything unexpected happens, you can contact us in order to help you.
If you need anything else, let me know!
