You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.

Forum Discussion

Cinda B.'s avatar
Cinda B.
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago

Migrating to smaller computer (Macbook Air)

Scenario:

  • My primary computer--a Macbook Pro--has 4TB of storage; nearly everything in Dropbox Cloud syncs to the drive. 
  • My new computer--a Macbook Air--has only 2TB of storage. Perfect for archive research on the road.
  • I need to use Apple Migration Assistant to copy applications, user settings, etc. from the MBP > MBA. Just not enough time between now and an upcoming research trip to install everything manually.

PROBLEM: Dropbox (on the MBP) contains more than the Macbook Air can hold. Migration Assistant doesn't allow the user to cherry pick which apps to transfer over.

 

QUESTION: What do I need to do with Dropbox on the larger computer--before migration--to prevent 2.5GB of Dropbox content from blocking the process?

 

Fingers crossed that there's a viable solution....

  • Hi there Cinda B., thanks for posting on our Community and happy Monday!

     

    Instead of using the Migration Assistant, I'd suggest that you download and install the desktop app on the new computer anew. 
     

    During the installation process, you'll be asked which folders you'd like to keep available offline to your computer or online only.

     

    I hope this helps and please  keep me posted on your progress! 

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

    Hi there Cinda B., thanks for posting on our Community and happy Monday!

     

    Instead of using the Migration Assistant, I'd suggest that you download and install the desktop app on the new computer anew. 
     

    During the installation process, you'll be asked which folders you'd like to keep available offline to your computer or online only.

     

    I hope this helps and please  keep me posted on your progress! 

    • Cinda B.'s avatar
      Cinda B.
      Helpful | Level 5

      Thanks, Walter. Good advice.

       

      I decided to manually install the bare minimum for required software (as noted earlier, I’m on my way out of town—actually, out of the country—for research. Dropbox will be the final piece of the puzzle before I need to test things out.

       

      Much appreciated!

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!