Expected changes with Dropbox on File Provider

Updated Mar 14, 2025

This article describes an update available on all Dropbox plans.

Dropbox on File Provider uses Apple's updated File Provider API to more deeply integrate with macOS and fix issues related to opening online-only files in third-party applications. This update comes with changes required by the API that are outlined below.

Your device must be running macOS 12.5 or later to use the latest version of Dropbox on File Provider. Using the latest version of macOS is strongly recommended.

Learn how to find out if you're eligible for this update.

Note: While we recommend opting in to the latest version of Dropbox on File Provider, this migration isn’t required to continue using Dropbox.

The following charts outline the changes you can expect when using Dropbox on File Provider. We will continue to update this list as we work to improve the Dropbox for macOS experience.

Changes introduced by the File Provider API

The changes below are set requirements of the File Provider API and are controlled by macOS.

Updates	Additional information
Sync icons have changed to match updated macOS icons.	The sync icons next to your files and folders in the Dropbox desktop app are now handled by the File Provider API.
Sync performance is now regulated by macOS.	Sync performance may slow to preserve battery life when your computer has low battery, isn't plugged in, or is running hot.
Changing the location of your Dropbox folder isn't supported by Dropbox on File Provider.	Your Dropbox folder in Finder is now under Locations instead of Favorites. Due to the change of the Dropbox folder location, files that were previously linked in some third-party applications will need to be linked again. Individual folders can be moved from your Dropbox folder to Favorites for quick access. You can change the Dropbox folder back to its original location by opting out of Dropbox on File Provider. Learn more about opting out. Your Dropbox folder will be moved to ~/Library/CloudStorage.
Storing your Dropbox Folder on an External Drive	We’ve begun rolling out support for moving the location of your Dropbox folder onto compatible external drives for some users. Learn more about external drive support for Dropbox on File Provider.
Displaying Dropbox in the Finder toolbar isn’t supported by Dropbox on File Provider.	Apple no longer allows you to add Dropbox when customizing the Finder toolbar.
Packages now behave like regular files instead of directories.	New macOS packages appear as regular files, but are actually bundles that contain other file types within. Examples of macOS packages include .pages, .numbers, and .key. This new format will have the same functionality as previous package files. Existing packages will be updated to the new format the next time they are changed and synced. New macOS packages can only be accessed on devices running Dropbox on File Provider.
Some types of files aren't supported on Dropbox on File Provider.	Apple no longer allows Photos Library to be synced over cloud-storage services. Final Cut Pro libraries can’t be saved or opened in the Dropbox folder. Apple no longer allows Adobe InDesign Lock files (.idlk) to be synced over cloud storage services.
Dropbox files or folders not previously set to Make available offline may be automatically set to online-only when your hard drive is low on disk space.	To prevent this from occurring, you need to set your files to Make available offline. This setting will prevent the File Provider from setting files to online only. Learn more about how to make a file or folder available offline in Dropbox.
Only files that are marked available offline will display as occupying disk space.	Opening an online-only file from the Dropbox desktop app downloads a file to your computer, but macOS won’t include these files when calculating occupied disk space. Files not explicitly marked as available offline will be made online-only automatically if your hard drive is low on disk space. Marking files as available offline will prevent this switch. Occupied disk space will then be displayed accurately.

Known limitations

We are actively working to address customer feedback. This list will be revised regularly as updates are made to both the File Provider API and Dropbox on File Provider.

Updates	Additional information
Dropbox Transfer doesn’t support new macOS packages.	The new packages are currently not supported by Dropbox Transfer.
Actions involving a large number of files can take longer than usual to complete.	Syncing or updating a Dropbox account with over 300,000 files can take longer than in previous versions. Utilizing selective sync can help speed up migration by reducing the number of files you have stored on your hard drive.
Certain types of files may not sync on macOS 12.	Files or folders may not sync if their name contains the byte-order mark (BOM). Files or folders may not sync if their name begins with a space followed by a single digit. The issues above are resolved on macOS 13 and later.
Using multiple versions of the Dropbox desktop app on your device may cause syncing issues.	We recommend uninstalling all versions of the Dropbox desktop app, then reinstalling the latest version.
LAN sync is currently not supported.	Users on the same LAN won’t have increased syncing speed.
Certain files or folders with very long names or that are located in deeply-nested folder structures won't be synced.	The name length limit for a file or folder will depend on the entire path. The current path length limit is 8,096 characters.
Some types of files may not be synced while an application is actively editing them.	On macOS 13 and later, these files will be clearly identified in the View sync issues window on the Dropbox desktop app. To resume syncing, close the applications that are actively editing these files.
AirDrop won't work if Dropbox Backup is enabled.	This is a known issue. Contact Dropbox support for help resolving this issue on your device.
Running CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Security Extension and Dropbox simultaneously may cause system errors.	If you're running CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Security Extension on macOS 13.2 or earlier, we won't migrate you onto the updated Dropbox for macOS at this time. This issue is resolved on macOS 13.3 or later.
Safari can’t open .html or .css files without Full Disk Access permission.	Opening an .html or .css file from Dropbox can result in an error in Safari. To continue using Safari: Click the Apple logo in the top left of your screen. Open System Settings. Click Privacy & Security. Click Full Disk Access. Click “+” (plus sign) Select Safari. Click Open.
Linked Dropbox accounts can’t be on different experiences on the same device.	If you have two Dropbox accounts linked on a device, both accounts must meet the eligibility requirements to migrate to Dropbox on File Provider on that device. If both accounts are eligible, after choosing to migrate to the Dropbox on File Provider, both accounts will be updated on startup of the Dropbox desktop app. If one account is ineligible, both accounts will remain on the legacy Dropbox for macOS experience. If you have two linked accounts but only one is logged into the Dropbox app on your device, you can migrate that account if it is eligible.