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Forum Discussion
Disaster: Dropbox removing external disk support for Mac users :(
In case anyone's unaware... if you're a Mac user storing your Dropbox on an external drive, you'll shortly lose that ability. https://talk.tidbits.com/t/dropbox-drops-support-for-storing-files-on...
I'm very confused about what is happening with Dropbox. I've read the help documentation and read through some posts on this forum.
The standard copy-and-paste reply from Dropbox support is from this article: https://help.dropbox.com/installs/macos-support-for-expected-changes
"Storing your Dropbox folder on an external drive is no longer supported by macOS."
The issue with this and all the replies I've seen is that there is no explanation or understanding as to how much of a disadvantage this to some of us long-time Dropbox users. I want to understand what has happened and what the workarounds (if any) are.
I'm currently on Mac OS 12.5 (Monterery).
I am concerned about upgrading because it looks like I will no longer be able to store my Dropbox folder on my external drive.
On my 1Tb MacBook Pro, this isn't an issue.
But on my 512Gb Mac Mini, this is a significant issue.
Like many people, I work with very large video files, and I quickly run out of space on my Mac's hard drive. And it's not an option to store many of these files online, because of the time it takes to download (even on a fast connection).
From what I gather, Apple are requiring 3rd party tools to work with their iCloud API and to store all files within the user library.
But, is it not possible to move my Apple user library to an external library? Even on Ventura? If so, wouldn't that mean I CAN use Dropbox on an external drive?
On my Mac Mini, I don't really want any of my documents on my main drive, because there just isn't enough room.
Can someone explain what is happening here, and if there are any workarounds? Specifically, can I move my user library to an external drive and so use Dropbox there?
Thanks!
Mark
Super User II
Super User IIHi iagdotme
So the simplest answer here is 'no'. Due to the changes Apple have made they are no longer allowing this. However, disclaimer here in that is the official supported line. There may be ways of doing so which involve tweaking / changing things BUT these wouldnt be supported by either Apple or Dropbox should something go wrong. At this moment I dont actually know of any, but, I imagine over time some will appear.
Thanks, Mark.
Would it be cynical of me to think this could be Apple wanting us to upgrade our Macs to ones with HUGE hard drives? 😉
I can't seem to find any explanations of what Apple are doing and that they are definitely no longer supporting external drives. I can't be the only person who needs to do this.
iagdotme UKD I think it's sad that so many of us suspect the new architecture is about Appel wanting to force us to buy more internal drive space — especially since internal drive space is four times (or more) expensive than similarly super fast external drive space, e.g. the latest Samsung EVO mounted in a suitable, thunderbolt 4 housing.
Sad, but also in keeping with mounting evidence of Apple's corporate greed at the expense of developers and users. This flies in the face of the Apple that Woz and Jobs envisioned. If I'm correct, Apple will soon have to pay the piper for this policy of "milk the users and developers for every cent they've got." European regulators will probably be first to force Apple to allow side-loading of apps, followed by the U.S. Senate. After they smell blood in the water, there will be more and more regulation, all thanks to Apple's insensitivity about their enormous size and clout, and how this is being g received by the public, It used to be that I LOVED my Apple devices. Now I use them because they're better, and there an end to it.
I hope we're wrong, since I have seen nothing in the new API stating outright that placing third-party online storage in an external drive is verboten. After all, I can install Ventura itself on an external drive and may actually do so in months to come.
But, I don't think we should be piling on when a Dropbox rep weighs in with news about what he or she is working on. Apple has NOT been very helpful to third-party cloud storage providers, ever, and they're not being helpful now. Absolutely, we should be pressuring Dropbox to work out a way to let us keep our external drives!
Just one man's opinion.
ArthurPix note there are storage providers which are already supporting sync with folders on external drives, like sync.com. So while I think part of this is indeed driven by Apple, I think the application of the tech and the response on the Dropbox side is clearly driven by Dropbox themselves and their corporate priorities.
Also.. noting I have had another chat with Dropbox support. They did not sound in this round of conversations like they were pushing their "blame apple and there is nothing we can do about it" answer. It DID sound like they were trying to find a solution. They stopped short of committing to having a solution though. But as we know, for the time being, they have not been requiring an upgrade to the latest version which moves the folder to the local volume. So I guess I'm hopeful they are seeing the light here.
Agreed. This change leaves us beucoup screued.
I think DropBox wanted to sell to apple years ago but Steve Jobs was adamant that it wasn't anything worth buying and that 'mobile me' was going to be just as good (haha). even iCloud files is a poorly implemented option of something meant to do a similar job. But I think they want to sell more iCloud storage to everyone. They are pushing for subscriptions and service bundles like with Apple One and Arcade etc. For probably high proportion of Apple customers they won't understand the difference between more iCloud space and a service like drop box, and storage beyond 1 or 2Tb very rare. Then for the big boys that they have closer ties with, they are likely using their own proprietary synching or exchange type stuff that means these changes don't bother them. it's the usual 'Pros' that get the shaft.
It appears that Dropbox is being disingenuous by blaming this change on Apple. If it is really true that supporting external drives is no longer possible for cloud services like Dropbox, how is it that some of their competitors can support external hard drives? For example, sync.com has no such restrictions -- you can have your sync folder on any drive/drives you wish. Like many people on this thread, I will need to migrate to another service unless Dropbox restores the ability to have our folders on external drives.
Personal Update. I managed to get the 1 1/2 TB out of dropbox and into externals. Some notes to help folks who've decided this is enough:
1. Be sure and do the DROPBOX Download (not just drag and drop). If you drag and drop you'll end up with folders that look as though they moved, but they will have zero bytes. Dropbox zips large folders, so you have to go through the hassle after you download the folder to unzip the folder. I'm sure this is by design.
2. I canceled on the last day of my billing cycle and note this: The last billing cycle was 1/31 through 2/28. The New billing cycle was 2/28 through 3/31. Neat huh? One day, two billing cycles. Huh? And... get this... It was 6:30 pm EST when I was trying to finish before midnight, and the billing notice stated "billed at 9:45pm GMT. Seriously. GMT.
3. Hurdles and hoops. I went on chat the next morning, and after battling the bot, was able to get the fee refunded (3-4 business days of course but billing is always automatic). Nickels and dimes.
4. The 2GB freebie will be fine for sharing large folders or files when needed. Then I'll delete. So, will keep the account for now.
Thanks for all the input and information. It finally motivated me to do this.
