See the Dropbox backup folder on desktop

[matthewzammit]

For Dropbox backup.

I believe we used to be able to see these backed-up files within the Dropbox desktop/file system... but it's now only available in the browser.

It was really useful to be able to easily access local files across my devices seamlessly, just through my file system without having to go on web!

[Walter]

Hey @matthewzammit - thanks for posting on our Community and sharing your thoughts on this.

Just to clarify, are you referring to your computer's OS folders or maybe an external drive you've backed up to Dropbox?

Let us know more and we'll take it from there. 

[matthewzammit]

Hey Walter

Here's some more detailed info maybe it makes it clearer what I'm looking for

My usecase: 

- I use multiple computers throughout the day. Sometimes I'm using an iMac on my desk, other times a Macbook Pro, and then when I need to go to a meeting a grab a lightweight Macbook Air.

- Practically all of my files are within the Dropbox folder, but there are always those random working files on the Desktops of the various devices.

- So I enable Dropbox Backback for my Desktop folder. This folder lives outside of the main Dropbox folder, but is still automatically backed up to Dropbox and synched across my devices automatically. 

- If I move to the Macbook Air, but forget some files on the iMac's Desktop, I can simply open Dropbox on Finder Desktop and find it there on my current device. 

- I believe this functionality was already there at some point but now it's gone (at least I can no longer find it).

- I also was able to access any of the finds on the backed up Desktop folders straight from the Dropbox iPhone app.

- Having to go to Web and then manually download what's required is really a pain!

- Attaching a rough view of what Finder looked like

- This was really useful and it felt like magic! Really giving me quick access to my files from anywhere. 

How that makes sense now. 

thanks!

 

[Walter]

Thanks for all the additional information and providing your detailed feedback on this too @matthewzammit 

I've passed it on to the team for their consideration and you can also let us know if you have anything else to add.

Cheers!

[LordB70]

Perhaps you could post your findings here, Walter? I second what Matthew has detailed above.

What's more, I'm in the browser and I'm struggling to find my backup folder there! It would be REALLY helpful/user friendly for it to be easily visible...

[Mark]

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@LordB70 wrote:

Perhaps you could post your findings here, Walter? I second what Matthew has detailed above.

What's more, I'm in the browser and I'm struggling to find my backup folder there! It would be REALLY helpful/user friendly for it to be easily visible...

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This was a feature previously and removed by Dropbox. I suspect it wont change again if I'm honest as too many people were trying to use it as a version of syncing files (which wasn't its intention). 

Its also worth pointing out Dropbox doesn't release roadmaps of features, we only know they launch when they launch.