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Forum Discussion

TomF's avatar
TomF
Explorer | Level 4
11 months ago

Popup window: “Dropbox.app” would like to access data from other apps.

I have gotten a popup window several times recently on my MacBook Pro that says: “Dropbox.app” would like to access data from other apps.

Why am I getting this popup and should I say yes?

  • Hi again,

     

    We've applied another fix here (many thanks to @WileECoyote!), which went out in v199 stable (and also v200 beta).

     

    Again, if you update and you're still seeing this issue - please reply here!

     

    Thanks!

  • joritian's avatar
    joritian
    Explorer | Level 4

    Getting the same thing, but only started after I just upgraded to Sonoma (nothing to do with Install process or settings during install). Full Disk access was off, turned that on and said "Allow" to dialog, but don't know what I just authorized (is "access to other apps data" = allow full disk access?)

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

      Hey joritian - could you let us know the version and status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your menu bar? 

       

      Also, can you have a look at the app's preferences under the sync tab and clarify the location of your Dropbox folder? 

       

      If you could send us a screenshot of the pop-up as well, I'd appreciate it. 

      • joritian's avatar
        joritian
        Explorer | Level 4

        Current version is:  v191.4.4995

        The status is fine (checkbox, sync up to date), although have some sync errors on a few files.

        In the app preferences dropbox folder location is the main user folder.

        The screenshot of the pop-up is exactly the same as the one(s) already posted in this thread.

         

        This issue for me now seems to be corrected after giving full disk access in security as well as responding to "Allow" on the dialog.  As I mentioned in original post, wondering what "access to other apps data" presented on the dialog is the same as asking for full disk access or does this allow some additional / different access then that.  In other words is the dialog message just poorly worded or really reflects a different behavior.  Again I am no longer getting dialog as of yet, will edit, re-post if it comes back.  - Thank you

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

    Hi TomF, thanks for messaging the Community!

     

    Have you enabled the Dropbox Backup feature, or any other features in the desktop app?

     

    This will help me to assist further!

    • Yoav N.1's avatar
      Yoav N.1
      Helpful | Level 5

      I keep getting these messages on my macbook. I dont want to allow access and I dont want to see these messages again. But specifically when I save a document in Office I get this popup like once a day.  So annoying! I dont see a setting to control this. Please provide a solution, thanks

      • MarioC's avatar
        MarioC
        Helpful | Level 5

         Even when I allow access I continue to get the popup.

        Mac OS Sonoma 14.1.2

    • TomF's avatar
      TomF
      Explorer | Level 4

      Thank you for your inquiry.  I have Dropbox Backup running for the folders such as the Desktop and Music folders that are not automatically synced in Dropbox.

      While I was checking in order to answer your question, I discovered that the Pictures folder is not being backed up and could be, so I tried to turn it in.  I had to give Dropbox "Full Disk Access" in order to add the Pictures folder to the list of folders that are backed up.  Is it possible that granting Full Disk Access will (a) stop the requests that I posted about, and (b) have the effect I would have gotten if I had clicked Yes to allow Dropbox to access data from other apps?  I will watch to see.

      Thank you.

  • Thoxig's avatar
    Thoxig
    New member | Level 2

    I have been experiencing this infuriating dialog multiple times a day. In my use case, I absolutely do not want and cannot allow dropbox access to the documents I am working on or any of their metadata. It has gotten to the point that I am considering moving to another cloud service provider that will not do this to me.

    • Thoxig's avatar
      Thoxig
      New member | Level 2

      To clarify, dropbox does not need this data to function properly for my use as cloud storage. That is all I want or need - secure cloud storage. It would be client-friendly to allow us to adjust dropbox.app functions to our own usage needs.