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Forum Discussion
What is the best way to upgrade to Mac Sonoma and Dropbox File Provider?
So been avoiding making any changes for over a year now since things have been working relatively well with the Old Dropbox on two Macs running OS Ventura 13.5, even with the issues around online-only files.
But really want to get my Macs on the current version (Sonoma 14.5), which I think means I have to upgrade to Dropbox File Provider.
Having read lots of horror stories, wondering is there's a simple tutorial for doing this with the least amount of headaches. Or any tips anyone who has done it can offer. Like should I upgrade the OS first, or upgrade to FP on the current OS first?
I am on a Dropbox Plus plan if that matters.
Thanks.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi johnhalldesign, thanks for messaging the Community!
Just for clarification, are you getting the option to upgrade to File Provider on the current OS via the Dropbox desktop application?
This will help me to assist further!
Jay wrote:Hi johnhalldesign, thanks for messaging the Community!
Just for clarification, are you getting the option to upgrade to File Provider on the current OS via the Dropbox desktop application?
This will help me to assist further!
Yes, I have the note that says "Dropbox for macOS on File Provider is Now Ready"
- Jay
The best option then would be to first set up File Provider on your current OS, and then upgrade your OS, that way the changes aren't going to happen at the same time. after the upgrade
So I think I have sorted out most of the issues above, and things seem to be working OK. Was just very slow to update and finish syncing when I made individual folders online-only, but seems it finally finished.
Now a new serious issue I have just realized, though. I am very data paranoid, and in addition to Dropbox, I have always backed up my machines both locally with Time Machine onto a physical hard drive, and as an additional layer of safety to Backblaze. I just realized that I don't think Backblaze can see the Dropbox folder in the new location, which is super worrysome. And haven't tried yet, but am even more worried that Time Machine won't be able to see it either. Is that the case, and is there any way around that?
I realize that online-only files were never backed up, but generally the files are live on one of my machines so were being backed up elsewhere somehow. But if they can't be backed up by any other method now, and I'm completely at the mercy of Dropbox, that may really be a deal breaker.
- Walter
Hi johnhalldesign - thanks for the updates!
I just wanted to mention that your Dropbox folder is inside the Library folder when using the Dropbox for MacOS on File Provider which is typically hidden by default.
Could you try these steps and let us know if they help?
1. Check to make sure their Library folder is visible. You can do this by going to Finder > Go (on the menu bar) > Go Home.
2. When that opens, click View (on the menu bar) > Show View Options > Check "Show Library Folder"
3.. Restart Backblaze and see if it can see the ~/Library folder at which point backup should be possible. This should also work with Time Machine now that the folder is un-hidden.
So finally took the plunge and upgraded one of my two Mac's (currently running Ventura 13.5) to Dropbox File Provider.
Had a few bugs with syncing, but for the most part seems to be working.
But now I'm worried that my other backup systems are not going to work with the new location of the Dropbox folder.
I am old school and paranoid about losing important files, and never fully trust Dropbox. So I usually try to keep the majority of my files live on the Mac, and back up to a physical hard drive using Time Machine, as well as keeping a Backblaze cloud backup.
After the upgrade, it appears the Backblaze does not see the new Dropbox folder location, and I'm worried that Time Machine won't either.
Have seen some threads regarding this here and there, but still not clear on if and how I can back up my files that are in the new Dropbox folder, apart from the Dropbox.
