Upcoming file system update to your Dropbox team account

Before the update: Checklist

Team folders will move from member folders to a more organized structure so they’re easier for the team to find. This may interrupt your API integrations because file paths will change. Admins and team members should follow the checklist below to prepare for the update.
 

File system update checklist

The night before your update, everyone on your team should complete this checklist and expect limited access. This includes all admins and app developers.

1. Check that the Dropbox desktop app is running on version 172 or later. 
   • Learn how to update the latest version.
2. Update your third-party app(s) and custom API integrations to the latest versions. This will prevent API calls from failing if they’re attempting to perform actions in the member folder which used to contain team folders. To use shortcuts again, remove the old links and create new ones. 
   •  Learn how to create Windows Quick access links and Mac aliases.
3. Switch integration file paths from absolute to relative, if available. 
   • By switching to relative, you won't need to re-configure the paths after the update.
   • If you're unable to switch to relative, you may need to manually modify the file paths after the update.
4. Make sure you’re happy with your folder names, as team members with access to a subfolder will be shown the folder path to its top-level team folder. Read more about this in the Team folders section below.
5. Close any open apps and restart your devices. 
6. Close any apps that automatically opened upon restart. 
7. Pause all shortcuts and third-party app integrations. 
   • Note: If you're using absolute file paths, they may perform incorrectly. These can be turned back on as soon as the update is complete.
8. Leave the Dropbox desktop app running overnight. 
   • Note: We recommend that you and your team don't access your Dropbox accounts or make changes to files during the update. You'll be notified after the update has finished and you can access your account.

After the update: Checklist

After the update, admins and team members should:

1. Change third-party automation file paths that use the old Dropbox folder name so they continue to work properly.
2. Select the specific folders you’d like to make available offline. If you don’t do this, existing team folders will default to your setting for new files.
   • Note: We recommend setting files to online-only for faster syncing times.
3. If you’ve been granted access to a folder but it doesn’t appear in the Dropbox desktop app, turn on selective sync for that folder.

More folder organization after the update

This file system update simplifies how your team’s folders and files are organized, so everyone can find the right files and collaborate faster. Here are the improvements you’ll experience with personal folders and team folders:

Personal folders

Each team member will have a personal folder. 

• This folder stores a team member’s own files and files shared with them. 
• Team members can find this folder at /[Team name] Dropbox/[Team member’s name].

Team folders

• The name of the Dropbox folder will change from “Dropbox [team name]” to “[Team name] Dropbox.” 
• Team folders will move from member folders to the Dropbox folder. 
• When you share a folder with someone in your team, they‘ll be shown the path to the folder you’ve shared.
  • For example, a team folder named “Design” contains a folder named “Marketing”. The “Marketing” folder contains another folder named “Summer”. If you share the “Summer” folder with a team member, they’ll be shown the file path “Design/Marketing/Summer”, even if they don’t have access to the “Design” or “Marketing” folder. All folder and file permissions stay the same.
• Shared folder names will remain consistent for all team members. This means if a shared folder is renamed, the name changes for everyone. 
• Admins will be able to share team folders with individuals as well as groups.
  • To share team folders with people outside of your team, the Sharing externally setting must be set to On. You can change this setting from the admin console.
• If you’ve been granted access to a folder but it doesn’t appear in the Dropbox desktop app, turn on selective sync for that folder.

Learn more about how to share content with your team after the file system update.

Rescheduling your team’s update

Admins can reschedule the date of the update from the admin console. 

To do so:

1. Log in to dropbox.com with your admin credentials.
2. Click Admin console.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Team profile.
   • The scheduled date for the update shows under Filesystem update.
5. Click the first dropdown to choose a date that’s available within the calendar.
6. Click the second dropdown to choose a time.