New macOS packages added from a Mac computer cannot be synced to Windows

[euiow]

I am a Markdown user who relies on Dropbox to synchronize my files across multiple devices, including both Mac and Windows machines. However, I have encountered an issue with the Dropbox application on M1 Macs, which has adopted Apple's latest File Provider framework.

The problem arises when working with textbundles, a file format commonly used by Markdown editors to store the Markdown document along with its associated assets, such as images. Dropbox now treats textbundles as "New macOS packages" and only allows them to be accessed on devices running Dropbox for macOS on File Provider.

This change is entirely unnecessary for textbundles, as their contents are simply the Markdown document and its attachments, which should be accessible on any device. By restricting access to textbundles, Dropbox has effectively locked my Markdown files within Apple's walled garden, preventing me from editing them on my Windows devices.

I strongly believe that Dropbox should reconsider this approach and allow textbundles to be synchronized and accessed across all platforms, as they are essentially just folders containing Markdown files and assets. The current implementation hinders the cross-platform workflow that many Markdown users, like myself, rely on.

It would be greatly appreciated if Dropbox could provide an option to exclude textbundles from being treated as "New macOS packages" and enable seamless synchronization and access across all devices.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[Hannah]

Hi there, @euiow, thanks for taking the time to post to our Community.

We really appreciate your comments on this macOS on File Provider situation.

I will make sure to pass your feedback along to our team.

If you have any questions, let us know.

Have a great day!

[euiow]

Thanks

[euiow]

I noticed that the Scrivener Tutorial.scrivx can be synchronized to Windows, but Tutorial.scrivx is also just a package, so I hope the textbundle can also be synchronized to Windows.

[Cake_Bot]

I am so glad I did not opt in to this, and hope that I never have to.  Scrivener packages on windows are .scriv FOLDERS, on macos they are treated as PACKAGES. if dropbox uses the file provider and downloads the scriv folder/packages as a single file, I am afraid this will render them unreadable on windows! And dropbox, for me, is used with the entire intention of sharing between mac and win file systems for writing. this update would appear to break that severely. I know it's not forced for now - but I am worried it will be at some point and that would be rather bad until or unless dropbox cross converts for windows. OR if flat-packages are made readable by windows :S