Why does Dropbox need to “sync my files again”?

If you just joined or left a Dropbox team, you might receive a notification that says that Dropbox “needs to sync your files again, which might take a while” and that “your current files will be saved in Dropbox (Old).”

What does this mean?

Dropbox will re-sync your files to your computer to transition you into or out of the team.

To keep your files safe during this process, Dropbox renames your Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) from “Dropbox ([account name])” to “Dropbox (Old).” Then, Dropbox creates a new folder in the same location on your computer and syncs your files there as well.

How does this work?

The result is two folders. This process is just a precaution to ensure that copies of your files are safe on your computer while your files are re-syncing. It’s recommended that you don’t touch the “Dropbox (Old)” folder while this process is happening. Learn more about Dropbox keeps your files safe.

What do I need to do?

The time this process takes depends on the amount and size of your files. After the process is done, you can delete the “Dropbox (Old)” folder from your computer and start using the new “Dropbox ([account name])” folder.

Learn how to troubleshoot file syncing issues.