Spotlight Search Doesn't Link to Files in Dropbox in macOS 13 Ventura

[dsnidey]

After upgrading to macOS Ventura, I was prompted to upgrade to "Dropbox for macOS 12". I proceeded with that, it moved my Dropbox folder to ~/Library/CloudStorage and confirmed all was successful. Now when using Spotlight to search (I often type something like 'drawings folder' to open a folder called Drawings) the results in Spotlight show the Dropbox app icon beside the name of the item I want (rather than a Finder icon for folder or file). Hitting Enter or clicking on the result switches to Finder and does nothing, or sometimes will open the Applications folder and show the Dropbox app. It's not linking me to the actual file in ~/Library/CloudStorage. 

I have done the following and the problem is not solved:

• Restarted
• Ensured all files are available for offline access
• Rebuilt the spotlight index
• Unlinked Dropbox from this Mac, did a complete clean install of dropbox, performed the upgrade to v159.4.5870 and synced just one folder to begin

Nothing works. Any suggestions??

[minpi]

I did an upgrade and it works! Everything works just fine on Ventura 13.3. But...my data was NOT MOVED as an assistant was telling me..And Dropbox location wasn't changed. 😊 Does it mean Dropbox team have decided to leave an old version finally like it was? Any way - it works and there is no upgrade request any more!

[barbazul]

After updating to Ventura OS 13.3 it is working again. In the end it was a permission issue after all. 

The first time you try to access a file, dropbox will now ask you if you allow the app to access dropbox files.

[minpi]

I do not really understand  how it was "solved" again!!!!! - I did this last Dropbox update already second time on 13.3, it goes well, but after all I do have an old version again. Files are not moved. And after a while I will be asked to update again! What a...f..?

v170.4.5895. 

 

[josting]

Gave up waiting for a solution for the spotlight problems. Moved everything to iCloud Drive. Works perfectly

[camicanu]

I solved the issue with a non-intuitive workaround. First, I did what others had done by uninstalling and installing again. And then I did:

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.
2. Click Siri & Spotlight in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Spotlight Privacy on the right.
3. Drag the Dropbox folder or click the add button (+) and select the folder ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox.

Just leave it like that, keep the folder in that list, and somehow, non-intuitively, it works.

[diethylether]

After upgrading to Ventura 13.3, the Spotlight issue is solved, but the Dropbox context menu items still don't show up when searching for something in Finder (first image). In order to get a context menu and Copy Dropbox Link, I have to first choose Show in Enclosing Folder and then the context menu items appear (second image).

This is a huge pain, as I need this functionality a lot.

  

Is this still happening to everyone else?

[minpi]

It's funny after 4 months Ben (if I remember right) from Dropbox Team wrote here finally. Everything is solved with 13.3 but if you do have problems, please contact. Yes and I do have problem. And I wrote again. If I do an update, nothing happens - my Dropbox stays on an old version and I will be requested to update again and again. I did it 2 times. Another 4 months to wait? Im totally curious how Dropbox support works...If it works at all..

[gordonwalker39]

After uninstalling Dropbox, following the instructions above to reinstall and allow reindexing without success... I found something that worked!

SOLUTION:

You can get Spotlight to re-index specifically the ~Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox folder

In Finder, navigate to ~Library/CloudStorage/ so you have the Dropbox folder visible

Open the System Settings --> Siri & Spotlight pane

At the bottom of the pane, select "Spotlight Privacy..."

In the window that allows you to "Prevent Spotlight from searching these locations." drag the Dropbox folder into this view to EXCLUDE it from search.  Click 'Done'.

Go back into the "Spotlight Privacy..." window, select Dropbox and hit the '-' button to remove the Dropbox folder from the EXCLUDED list.

After you click 'done' it should re-index the Dropbox folder and allow you to open files from the spotlight window -- at least it did for me!

[Megan]

Hi @minpi, I hope you're having a good week so far! 

Could I reach out internally, in order for us to have a closer look into this? 

[minpi]

Yes, how you would like to?