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
Request regarding MacOS X 10.10 (Yosemite) & 10.11 (El Capitan)
I just received a notice that dropbox will cease support for OS 10.10 and 10.11.
The notice, giving it the most leeway i can, indicated that i should consider upgrading my OS or use a web browser. This is not always possible.
For many of us, we are at the end of the line re: OS upgrades. I have an old macbook pro that i use for a few light tasks - but the data must be available on others machines. I use dropbox for this. I also cannot use the web browser unless i wish to upload files with each change. Impractical.
I will likely wind up switching to a different cloud service, which i would prefer not to do - yet maybe i must.
I don't know why you are ending support. The clients exist already and are unlikely to require many changes, if any. Please reconsider.
--justmeinNJ
Hi justmeinNJ & Chern - thanks for dropping by our Community to share your feedback on this.
As you probably know, as of October 17th 2022, the Dropbox desktop app will no longer work on any Mac device running OS X 10.11 or older.
If you do not wish to or cannot update your operating system, all your files will still be available through other compatible computers with supported operating systems, through supported mobile devices, and on the Dropbox website. However, on October 17th, 2022, devices running Mac OS X 10.11 or older will no longer be able to log in and access content through the Dropbox desktop app.
Kindly note that we regularly release new versions of the Dropbox desktop app with additional features, better performance, and security enhancements and these are not always compatible with older systems.
Apple stopped providing security updates to OS X 10.10 and OS X 10.11 in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
We are ending our support of the Dropbox desktop app for these operating systems to keep our product offerings in-line.
Let me know if you have anything else to add or ask.
- Here's an idea that your most loyal and long standing Dropbox users will appreciate - KEEP SUPPORTING MacOS 10.10 and 10.11!!
I have a small publishing house and we rely on tried and tested, long lived software to collaborate with other fellow creatives to work together.
We are running on 10.11 El Capitan because it works well with our graphic and publishing softwares. One key collaborative ingredient is Dropbox native sync. (Instead of web based)
To give less than 1 month notice and forcing us to upgrade all our Mac OS on the most reliable, Pre- 2016 intel based macs, is utterly terrible. It is also highly unreasonable.
You are forcing us to do massive upgrades to our other software should we move up to 10.12 and beyond, and our software do not work with the newer OS.
Please, for the love of computing, continue supporting 10.10 and 10.11.I have a 2009 vintage iMac, running OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.6. It can not be upgraded to any other OS! Please continue supporting the older system!
Right. This is the crux of the issue. Due to processor differences, most 2008/9 vintage macs will not ruin anything past 10.11. This really ought to be delayed at least 2 more years. A solution is beyond any of our ability --- except dropbox who simply don't want to do regression testing.
After a review of the file sharing I need to do, post retirement, I realized that I can use iClouddrive to share my files across my iMac, iPad, iMacAir, and iPhone. I really don't need Drop Box as I no longer share files with an associate. That was why I started Drop Box in the first place. Just kept using it as it was handy and comfortable. Dropping support for MacOS10.11 makes it uncomfortable. Made me look at iCloud and made the switch. Good By Drop Box!
I’m pleased you are able to find such an easy solution. My problem is that I still have a daughter with whom I have a shared Dropbox for family history files. She has a more modern computer and uses Dropbox with others so I’m being forced to look at buying a cheap but more modern Mac second hand in order to keep the system going. It’s DISGRACEFUL that we LOYAL CUSTOMERS were given so little time to decide what to do.
- I've been edged out by Dropbox before on a much older Mac, but this time it will topple my business. My main computer runs El Capitan, which is a pretty reliable OS. I can't update this computer. It is not possible. I'm outraged!!
- Robinz that's right. 10.10 and 10.11 is stable. It works with software and formats that sometimes no longer exist... wait till Dropbox gives 30 days notice for Mojave and Catalina users. If you think this is bad... all the mid-decade Macs will fall off like flies on the zapper
Walter - Is it a ridiculous idea you escalate this to Drew? Houston, we have a problem.- I agree they should have given us more notice, like 6 months to rearrange our lives and businesses around this news. I would register complaints on Twitter and customer support. I'm willing to participate in any other ideas for complaints.
Not only I cannot update but am not willing to (for monies needed and for the absolute lack of help shown here)
Can people share a valid alternative to dropbox please?
- Hello... I've moved to pCloud. There are many other services out there aside from Dropbox and G drive. Search around..
And I've done previously on different macs, upgraded to Mojave using dosdude patch, all sorts of stuff to give extra life span to my macs.
Some work. Some don't. For what I want to do at work, to keep using publishing software which are stable, non subscription, I stay on 10.11.
I have stopped Dropbox on my 10.11 machines. They are all on pcloud now. I cross sync pCloud with my existing Dropbox for a few more weeks and then I'll uninstall Dropbox altogether. No point keeping two copies of the same files. Migrating is a royal PITA, but at least it's done.
At least I know pcloud still supports old systems for now. If that buys me a few more years for my beloved workhorses, so be it. I'll take that deal any given day.
Said goodbye to the Dropbox tech support fellow too.
Legacy systems are hard to support. Move on.
Capitalism works....If there is a need, someone is doing it.
- Absolutely disgusting, with less than a months notification, I’m just simply not willing to sacrifice a lifetime of work just so I can continue using Dropbox. I’m already looking at alternatives ready to cancel my Dropbox subscription.
You're absolutely right. This is pure idiocy on the part of Dropbox. There are so many of us (like me) who have entire systems set up whereby it's just not possible to simply "upgrade". My main computer is a 2008 Mac Pro which doesn't go any further than 10.11. I have so much software tangled up here, and I'm in the midst of major production that is going to take me months and years to complete. I can't miss a step here, and now you're suddenly "announcing", like a bunch of fascists, that you're discontinuing support for OSX 10.10 and 10.11 ??????? Are you crazy? Why????? Just leave us alone and let us do our work FFS.
If you actually go through with this, I am DEFINITELY switching to pCloud. I'll be more than happy to pay whatever they want to charge. It'll be a hell of a lot easier, and cheaper, than trying to replace my entire work station and upgrade all this software.
I really don't wish you people well. This is a really cold, heartless and callous decision on your part. You think everybody out here has the "latest, greatest" hardware???? We're all just slick hipsters like you with fancy lofts in Manhattan? Is that it? You have a very warped view of what's happening in the real world.
We are people just struggling to get by and complete our projects, using the gear we HAVE. We don't have the means to be "up on all the latest gadgets" (and studio spaces) like you do.
Go back to the drawing board and figure out a way to make this work for all of us poor little peasants out here who are not as fortunate as you.- And it looks like Dropbox has problems with other OS, so why discontinue the one that it actually working reliably.
My Gawd. This entitlement behavior is sickening. You pay for a service. The provider ( a business for profit) elects to not provide service any longer. Move on.
Legacy systems are hard to support.
Capitalism works....If there is a need, someone is doing it. Find them.
You typed a novel here....time would have been better served finding a solution. It's out there.
I picked up a used certified MAC for under $300 by the way. Comes with a 1 yr warranty as well. Upgraded to Catalina. Works good, lasts a long time.
Move on? Move on?
One wonders why, if you are so satisfied, you are even here.... Another life-less techie troll here to, well, troll?
Or do you have a stake in this.
I find your arrogance shocking. Capitalism is based on markets, which are based on contention. But maybe you never studied economics, its hard to sit through when you already know everything.
Over and out.
As of today 6 January 2023, the Dropbox app v164.x is Sierra+ only, so all syncing will stop on El Capitan because the app can't launch anymore.
BUT…
There's still a way! 🙂
Downgrade to v163 which is the last version to launch on El Capitan.
Get the offline installer here:
https://dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-desktop-client-builds/Stable-Build-163-4-5456/td-p/644068
However, it requires a 3rd party app that can block specific network connections, like Little Snitch.You will have to block dropboxstatic.com which is where the creepy autoupdate downloads new versions.
Also, you may need to prevent the autoupdate to install the desktop app into alternative locations.
That may require more advanced knowledge of how to handle the MacOS file system.
You may want to lock the first few top level folders inside the Dropbox.app package as well as the app itself so that they are not writable to anyone. That goes via Finder Info window, also via context menu if you're using e.g. XtraFinder.
The updater may also try to install the desktop app into ~/Library/Application Support/Dropbox/Dropbox.app.
To block it, delete this app instance and create a blank folder named exactly the same: "Dropbox.app". It will change its icon into a "nonfunctional application". Lock it as well so that no one can write to it.I'm not sure what exactly ~/Library/Dropbox/DropboxMacUpdate.app does, but I blocked it the same way as the aforementioned app instance.
With these measures in place, syncing continues to work on El Capitan as of today.
~~~
That all said, today I have opened a pCloud account and migrated all content anyway. 😛
So, been using Dropbox for a while now, and was very happy with the software so far, until the notice to upgrade OS, which is no go, as even if I wanted to do it, I would not be able to. So simply switching to pCloud which still works like a charm. Had to say it, a legacy version would not kill anyone.
loukash's notes make it seem a legacy would be pretty trivial. Maybe we are still in an interim and it will stop as I kinda suspect they may redesign the file transfer engine as a result of kernel extensions being impossible(?) in newer macOS's - will have to wait a while to know.
I would lower my opinion of them if all it did need was for DB to allow old code to continue operating!
Thanks for the info, may finish trying that out. So far have found that I needed a newer 10.12 machine to download the offline (or any) installer - then move the file.
To bypass the MacOS system check, use an addon/extension like https://add0n.com/useragent-switcher.html to make your browser appear as if you were using Catalina or whatever.
Any updates if anyone still getting synch after a week now?
Colin W.1 wrote:Any updates if anyone still getting synch after a week now?
After successfully blocking v163 from updating last week – see dropboxforum.com/t5/648938/highlight/true#M48871 – I simply moved on with pCloud. So I don't even know if v163 still works. pCloud does almost everything for me that Dropbox did, and even more, and better.
Dropbox is now in use only for apps that are connecting to it directly via API, like certain browser extensions or password managers. pCloud apparently lacks that mechanism, or perhaps Dropbox rather became such a ubiquitous product that many 3rd party developers don't support anything else.(edit: it's called "pCloud", not "pDrive", haha…)
(or to paraphrase George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic: Make my cloud to pCloud, I want my cloud uncut! 😉 )
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi justmeinNJ & Chern - thanks for dropping by our Community to share your feedback on this.
As you probably know, as of October 17th 2022, the Dropbox desktop app will no longer work on any Mac device running OS X 10.11 or older.
If you do not wish to or cannot update your operating system, all your files will still be available through other compatible computers with supported operating systems, through supported mobile devices, and on the Dropbox website. However, on October 17th, 2022, devices running Mac OS X 10.11 or older will no longer be able to log in and access content through the Dropbox desktop app.
Kindly note that we regularly release new versions of the Dropbox desktop app with additional features, better performance, and security enhancements and these are not always compatible with older systems.
Apple stopped providing security updates to OS X 10.10 and OS X 10.11 in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
We are ending our support of the Dropbox desktop app for these operating systems to keep our product offerings in-line.
Let me know if you have anything else to add or ask.
- Ok. You've made your stand, gave a standard response, and I will make mine.
My standard response will be to leave Dropbox.
Thank you for the decade of good service. Obviously wasn't a good enough customer for you to consider retaining.Same here: loved, used, and paid Dropbox for years.
I have some apps on 4 Macs running which require Mac OS 10.10.
I could live with limitations (or "use at your own risk") with Dropbox, but if they stop supporting Mac OS 10.10, I have to leave and look for something else.
Any suggestions for alternatives to Dropbox? Does not have to be a free app; I'm happy to pay.
Thanks
Apple made computers that could be upgraded but once the upgrade level was reached, that didn’t mean the computers no longer worked. I’m running a MacbookPro from 2009 and is ALL I CAN AFFORD. I bought it new and it has done me well but now I am 75, retired, with limited pension, and no way can I afford to replace it. It is running 10.10 and to withdraw support with ONE MONTH notice is a disgrace! I’ve used dropbox for at least ten years I think and been happy to pay despite it being used rarely.
IF THERE IS A WAY TO KEEP THIS RUNNING AT LEAST ANOTHER FEW MONTHS TO GIVE PEOPLE CHANCE TO MIGRATE OR FIND A WAY TO UPDATE, that would be useful and HONOURABLE!
- You hit the nail in the Dropbox coffin. My notice was served 21 days in advance.
Not only withdrawing support, they will DISABLE the ability to SYNC files!!! I am happy to use unsupported software at my own risk...
Ironically - I have never used Dropbox support channel until now and for the wrong reasons. 11 years of trouble free run! How many apps can beat that?
Are you Dropbox guys listening yet? Hello? I'm 8 hours from completing my migration to pCloud which I paid for!
Not a great answer. You have heard from me and others that upgrading is not always an option.
Your "solution" is to upgrade.
I hoped someone might at least take the comment seriously and look into ways to extend support.
Regurgitating the already stated, and already disliked, position is not helpful.
justmeinNJ
