We're making changes to the Community, so you may have received some notifications - thanks for your patience and welcome back. Learn more here.
Forum Discussion
Impossible to access my files (documents, downloads and desktop) on Mac because of Dropbox sync
Hello,
In 2020, I worked for a company and I had to download Dropbox on my computer. Since 1 week, I encountered a big issue with my Mac since I can no longer access all my files. For example,...
Thanks a lot, following the indicated steps worked. I can now access the DDD folders again.
However, the actual desktop still does not link to the "desktop" folder in my home directory. I still don't have access to the desktop. But I can open user/desktop.
You talks about problems and act like you are providing solutions but don't and instead ask for screenshots. If you truly wanted to help you would have the different types of computers to see what we are dealing with rather than claims that the problems are resolved. In my case it says to disable the back up and it should replace the files - but doesn't. The back up has been disabled. It says reinstall dropbox and I did and still nothing. I have lost my desktop, documents and download files on my Mac. It is unbelievable you can't fix this problem.
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hey Scott B.35, let's jump right into this!
Just to make sure we're on the same page, I understand that what you want, is to move your Documents, Desktop and Downloads back to where they originally were, right? If not, feel free to correct me.
If you access your account online, are you able to see your content there? What about the message to reinstall Dropbox? Where do you see that?
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
Correct. As it stands now I do not have access to the desktop, documents or download files. I found them on dropbox labeled My Mac (Scott-Macbook-Pro.local). It says it is unlinked. I cannot find that folder - My Mac - on my laptop.
The back up is off and has been off so there is nothing to disable on that end. When I try to download the documents file it says I tried too many zip files. I used that as current activity file but now can't and can't. On the reinstall I saw that on a community thread but I can;t tell which one now because I have gone through so many threads trying to get this problem resolved.
- Jay
H Scott B.35, could you try downloading the backup in smaller batches, for instance, doing a subfolder of the Documents folder first to see if this helps?
I recently bought a new macbook air and migrated all my documents from the old one . Everything seemd OK but now I do not have access to the desktop, documents or download files. Apple support told me this is caused by dropbox. I dont understand why the dropbox should deny me access to my own computer. How can this be fixed?
- Walter
Hey Silene1, sorry to hear about this.
Did you enable the Dropbox Backup feature for your computer's OS folders at some point in the past perhaps?
When you say you don't have access to those folders, can you clarify if you're getting any particular error of if you just can't see them on your new computer?
Do you see them on your backups page by the way?
Any additional information and screenshots are more than welcome!
