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amiralin's avatar
amiralin
Helpful | Level 6
4 years ago

Couldn't Start Dropbox - macOS Monterey

After installing the new macOS Monterey I am getting the below error  Couldn't start Dropbox This is usually because of a permissions error. Storing your home folder on a network share can also c...
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Setting up the apps
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    4 years ago

    Hi everyone, with the macOS Monterey update (macOS 12.0 and above), some stricter permissions have been enforced by Apple which have probably led to the issue you are experiencing.

     

    The following steps should help to resolve this behavior:
     

    1. Click on the Apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen
    2. Select "System Preferences..."
    3. Then "Security & Privacy"
    4. Select the Privacy tab
    5. Select "Full Disk Access"
    6. Under Dropbox, ensure that all the folders are checked. (To make changes, you will need to click on the lock icon, and enter your macOS password)
    7. Repeat these steps under 'Files and Folders' and 'Accessibility'
    8. Once you've completed this, please attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app


    If need be, a reboot of the Mac itself would also help. 

Hannah's avatar
Hannah
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
Hey amiralin, thanks for joining us on the Dropbox Community!

Can you try performing an advanced reinstall of the Dropbox app, to see if that helps?

Let me know how it goes.
cassiem's avatar
cassiem
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago

hi there,

I had the same problem and found this link and checked the instructions but I'm not sure what the 'terminal application' is, can you help answer that? 

Thank you

  • Mig190's avatar
    Mig190
    New member | Level 2
    3 years ago

    Same problem as everyone else.  Have tried all the recommended fixes multiple times to no effect.  Dropbox is not opening. I'm running macOS Catalina (10.15.7).  Need help.

    • Mig190's avatar
      Mig190
      New member | Level 2
      3 years ago

      I found my solution.  

       

      After uninstalling Dropbox & rebooting, I checked the macOS System Preferences/Security & Privacy section.  Even with Dropbox uninstalled the app was still showing in Accessibility/Full Disk Access/Files and Folders.  I removed those "old" Dropbox permissions, rebooted, reinstalled, and gave Dropbox all the needed access, and that worked.

       

      In short, after uninstalling make sure the app permissions are also removed before reinstalling.

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