Smart Sync and system extensions

Why do I see a System Extension Blocked message when I install Dropbox?

On macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or lower, you may see a System Extension Blocked prompt when trying to run the Dropbox desktop application for the first time. If you don’t allow access for the system extension, you won’t be able to use Smart Sync.

To enable the Dropbox system extension, simply follow the steps that appear on your computer as you’re setting up Dropbox:

1. In the Enable Smart Sync box, click Continue. 
2. In the System Extension Blocked box, click OK.
3. In the Allow Dropbox in Preferences box, click Open Preferences.
4. Under the General settings in Security & Privacy, click Allow.

• Note: You may first need to click the lock icon and sign in to your computer

Important notes

• If you don’t have admin privileges on your computer, you may need to contact IT or another admin to change this setting
• Dropbox will still work even if you don’t enable the system extension, but you won’t be able to use the Smart Sync feature
• Smart Sync is only available for certain Dropbox plans

What happens if I don't allow access?

If you don’t allow access for the system extension or driver, you won't be able to use Dropbox Smart Sync. However, the main Dropbox desktop application will still work like normal.

How do the system extension and driver work?

Use of a system extension or driver is common among many popular systems:

• Hardware—like your computer’s hard drive, printers, and copiers
• Filesystems—like those exposed through Server Message Block (SMB)
• Software—like antivirus or virtualization programs

Permissions

Dropbox used publicly-available APIs from Apple and Microsoft to write the system extension and driver. No additional admin permissions are required (beyond what Dropbox has always needed to function).

What does the Dropbox system extension actually do?

System extensions enable "callbacks." Callbacks are real-time calls that confirm you have permission to do things like move, delete, or change ownership of files in shared spaces (like a folder). If you don’t have these file access permissions, system extensions allow Dropbox to send warnings when you may be taking an action that could unshare folders or delete shared content.

Security and usage

System extensions and drivers can give applications additional access to your computer’s operating system. Dropbox is cautious in only using these extensions to improve your experience with our app.

Some notes on what we don’t do:

• We don’t use system extensions to interact with any files other than those stored in your Dropbox
• We don’t use system extensions to make network requests
• We don’t use system extensions to parse any data in the filesystem
• We don’t use system extensions to read or write files

Security and stability

Dropbox takes great measures to protect your data and privacy, and we designed the system extension and driver with security and stability as top priorities. In fact, many of the engineers who wrote this extension previously worked on filesystem technologies at various OS vendors.

These components have gone through extensive security reviews with internal security teams, as well as audits done by external penetration testers. We’ve run these components both internally at Dropbox and in cooperation with enterprise-scale beta customers. In both cases these components ran successfully.

Alternatives

These integrations are core to current and future Dropbox client services. There is no way to disable or opt-out of using the system extension or minifilter driver on the Dropbox desktop client. Doing so would also disable important alerts that prevent users from accidentally deleting shared data, or taking unintended file actions.

If you don’t want to install the Dropbox desktop application, you can view, share, and download your files without the desktop integration by using only the Dropbox website at dropbox.com.

Can I choose to not install this extension?

Please note that your privacy and security are of the utmost importance to us. Smart Sync and this component have been subjected to rigorous testing and inspection to ensure stability and security. 

Read more about Dropbox trust and security.

Read our detailed technical blog about Smart Sync and the driver.

You can opt-out of the system extension or driver if you wish to do so. However, you cannot use Smart Sync without enabling the system extension or driver, unless you are using macOS 11 or higher. If you’re using macOS 11 or higher, you do not need to install the extension to use Smart Sync.

How to opt out of the system extension for Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, or Business accounts

If you use Dropbox Plus, Family, or Professional, or if you're a member of a Dropbox Business team, you can opt out of the system extension at any time. However, note that opting out of the system extension will disable Smart Sync.

To disable the system extension:

1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the upper right corner.
3. Click Settings and, if needed, click General.
4. Scroll to Dropbox system extension.
5. Toggle this setting to Off.

If you're a member of a Dropbox Business team, and your admin disables the system extension, you won't be able to use Smart Sync. This is true on any device where you've signed in to your Business account (even a personal device), and may also affect a personal Dropbox account.

Dropbox Business team admins: how to opt out your whole team from the system extension

If you're the admin of a Dropbox Business team, you can opt out your whole team from the system extension. However, note that opting out of the system extension will disable Smart Sync.

Please also note that some of your team members may have connected a work and personal account. If you opt out your team from the system extension, team members won't be able to use Smart Sync on any personal devices (or personal accounts) where they're also signed in to their Business account.

If you'd still like to proceed with opting out your team from the system extension, visit the opt out page to continue.