Dropbox Migration to a New Mac With the New Cloud Storage Setup

[fssbob]

On my primary computer, I keep all Dropbox files in offline mode.

I've updated to the new Dropbox setup that places the Dropbox folder in ~/Library/CloudStorage.

I'm wondering what will happen when I move to a new Mac in the future. In the past, the macOS transfer program would transfer all my files to the new computer's drive, and then Dropbox would reindex them (rather than having to redownload all the files from Dropbox). What will happen now with the new Dropbox setup?

Thanks.

[Jay]

Hi @fssbob, thanks for messaging the Community.

To prevent any unexpected behavior, we'd recommend allowing the Dropbox desktop application to sync the files from the site directly when migrating to a new Mac.

If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.

[fssbob]

So what would be the steps? The standard Apple migration process will copy both the configured Dropbox application and ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox (along with its contents) onto the new Mac. Can you list the exact steps I need to follow after that.

Thanks.

[Jay]

My recommendation would be to not migrate the Dropbox app, or the Dropbox folder itself, since that usually causes permission issues even today on the older version. 

On the new Mac, you can reinstall the app from the site, sign into the app, and then let the files sync down from the site.

[fssbob]

I don't think the Apple migration program lets you choose which apps and docs to migrate--I think it's all or nothing. I wouldn't want to sacrifice all my other apps and docs just to keep Dropbox from migrating.

This was easily handled with the older version just by letting Dropbox reindex the Dropbox folder.

Given how universal a problem this is, I think it might be useful for someone from Dropbox to work with it and create a help article or blog post on how to handle it after Apple's standard migration.

Thanks.

[fssbob]

I'm hoping to see a response to this here since it's a universal issue that I think will be relevant to others (with the new Dropbox setup, how to migrate to a new Mac without having to give up the standard Apple update program just for the sake of Dropbox). But would it be better if I ask it as a support request instead?

Thanks.

[fssbob]

I'm following up on this since there hasn't been a response for a while.

When most Mac users purchase or otherwise switch to a new Mac, they run the standard Apple transfer program to transfer the content from their old Mac. (It can use a Time Machine backup as a source, but more commonly it just migrates content directly from the old Mac to the new Mac.)

With the new Mac setup, is Dropbox still recommending that, after switching to a new Mac and running the standard Apple transfer program, you delete your Dropbox folder and installation and then reinstall fresh? This wasn't required previously, but I gather from what you've said earlier in this thread that that it now is?

Thanks.

[Nancy]

Hi @fssbob! Hope you’re doing well.

In general, when setting up a new device, we recommend a clean install of the Dropbox app on it, so that you may avoid any possible issues that may occur (like permission issues etc).

[fssbob]

I understand that--but it doesn't answer my question.

After a Dropbox user purchases or otherwise obtains a new Mac and runs the standard Apple migration program--which almost everyone will do--the existing Dropbox application and folder WILL have been copied to it. You can't "not do" this--it's part of the standard Apple setup.

So given that the Dropbox program and folder will be copied to the new Mac by the standard Apple setup, what do you mean by "do a clean install"? Are you telling Mac users to delete their Dropbox folder and application, and then install again?

[Hannah]

Sorry to jump in here, @fssbob.

I understand where you're coming from, so a way to avoid this, if you'll no longer be using your old computer, would be the following:

1. Before the migration, unlink the old computer from Dropbox. This will disconnect it from your account.
2. Delete the Dropbox app and the Dropbox folder from the old computer. You're safe to do this, as long as the computer is unlinked.
3. Proceed with the migration
4. Install the Dropbox application on the new computer and sign in to your account.