Reinstalled older Time Machine backup vs newer Remote files, what will sync?

[Gaudi H.]

Hi. My MBP crashes so I needed to do a clean install. However my latest timemachine backup is from last month so after the reinstall is done the Dropbox folder structure and files are as a month ago. So will this older folder structure and files overwrite the remote files or will I get the latest copy from the remote files. What is the correct procedure to get the remote files - which are newer - on my new reinstalled MBP.

[Jay]

Hi @Gaudi H., thanks for bringing this to our attention.

The best method is to not recover the Dropbox folder when using the Apple Migration Assistant. 

As I mentioned in this post just a little time ago, the safest method is for the Dropbox desktop application to sync all the files to an empty Dropbox folder. If it's possible to not recover that folder, this would be the best option.

If you need any further assistance, please let me know!

[Gaudi H.]

Thanks Jay! Unfortunately I already did migrate and just as Dropbox is indexing I realized the problem and reached out here while pausing the sync. So in my case, what is then the best thing to do as some indexing might already took place before I paused it. Shall I delete the migrated Dropbox folder?

[Gaudi H.]

Or... as I only made changes in 2 or 3 project folders.. only delete those migrated folder and let Dropbox sync those and keep the rest as they're identical?

[Walter · Accepted solution]

In this case, I'd recommend leaving the app to sync normally until it's 'up to date' @Gaudi H. 

From there, if you notice any files or folders missing, you can restore them through your deleted files page or the events page, if needed. 

Let us know if you have any other questions. 

[Gaudi H.]

Thanks Walter and Jay!

[Walter]

No worries @Gaudi H. - let us know if anything else comes up!