Expand cloud storage on Mac

1. Install Dropbox For Macbook Pro
2. Dropbox Download For Macbook Pro

A number one cloud-based storage system today, Dropbox essentially made storing data online mainstream. This app simplifies syncing files across different devices and offers an easy way to share photos, folders, or send large files (i.e. too large for emails) to others. Although Dropbox isn’t the only cloud-based storage and syncing service for Mac, it remains extremely popular.

The actual developer of this free software for Mac is Dropbox Inc. Our built-in antivirus checked this Mac download and rated it as 100% safe. The following versions: 3.2, 3.0 and 1.3 are the most. Immediately it created a folder called “My Mac (runnynoseguy-macbook-pro.local)” containing my Desktop, Documents and Download folders with ALL my stuff inside. Now my dropbox is jammed and I cant upload the pictures I initially wanted to because it’s trying to sync all 170+GB of my hard drive and takes forever. Mac and Windows Dropbox, Yosemite OS X, El Capitan OS X, Macbook pro, iMac, macbook air, macbook, macbook retina display, macbook retina display 2, mac pro, iMac retina 5k display, mac mini. To download Dropbox for Mac, look for the Dropbox installer on dropbox.com. Once the download of the Dropbox installer is complete, you should be able to find it (DropboxInstaller.dmg) in your Mac’s Downloads folder. Open the file to start your Dropbox download app: Double-click on the Dropbox icon in the installer window.

Even though, as a Mac user, you do already have iCloud storage and syncing service right at your fingertips, integrated with your Mac and other iOS devices, there are still reasons for you to download Dropbox for Mac.

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Dropbox makes it easy to share whatever it contains, by offering advanced features such as shared folders or the ability to copy a Dropbox link to allow someone to download a file from your folder. Besides, Dropbox is one of the more common cloud services used by third-party productivity apps that could offer you great additional features.

Despite iCloud and Dropbox both having basic cloud storage functionality, there are quite a few differences in what you can expect from each. You can’t easily share with iCloud, as its associated solely with a given Apple ID, while Dropbox lets you share folder contents with others, constantly syncing among those connected to the folder. On the other hand, don’t expect Dropbox to automatically sync your data like photos or contacts like iCloud does. You only get quick access to what you put inside your Dropbox folder.

How To Sync Dropbox On Mac Easily

While you can always access your data from the Dropbox website, in the long run, it's easier to install the Dropbox desktop app. Using the Dropbox desktop app means you won't have to manually upload or download files in your Dropbox folder and any time you make a change to a file and are connected to the internet that change will sync everywhere you have Dropbox installed. Dropbox app for Mac works even when you're offline — just like an ordinary folder.

How to install the Dropbox app for Mac?

To download Dropbox for Mac, look for the Dropbox installer on dropbox.com. Once the download of the Dropbox installer is complete, you should be able to find it (DropboxInstaller.dmg) in your Mac’s Downloads folder. Open the file to start your Dropbox download app:

1. Double-click on the Dropbox icon in the installer window

2. A warning sign will appear cautioning that Dropbox is an application you downloaded from the internet ➙ click Open to start the installation process

3. Once the basic installation is complete, Dropbox will ask you to sign in. If you don’t already have an existing Dropbox account, use the sign-up link near the bottom-right corner of the window and follow the online instructions to set up your Dropbox account.

If all done right, after you sign in to your Dropbox on Mac, you’ll see a congratulations message for successfully completing the installation. Well done!

Now on to your Dropbox folder. To set it up:

1. Click Open My Dropbox Folder button in the final installer window

2. Enter your Dropbox password ➙ then click OK

3. Dropbox will add itself to your Finder’s sidebar and deposit a Dropbox for Mac tutorial into your Dropbox folder (a Get Started with Dropbox .pdf file). Take a few moments to read through the guide — it provides a good outline for working with Dropbox.

Tips for using Dropbox on Mac

Understanding how does Dropbox work is easy. Once you install the Dropbox desktop app and set up your Dropbox account, it’ll appear on your computer as a special Dropbox folder, which will become the heart of how does Dropbox work. Anything you place inside that folder is automatically copied to the cloud and synced with your other devices that run Dropbox. Note that Dropbox might not automatically copy all the files on your computer (e.g. when you don’t have enough space) — you might have to pick and choose which ones you want to save.

Transferring files to the Dropbox folder is a matter of seconds. First Dropbox will show a blue icon with circling arrows in the lower left — this means copying the file and uploading it to the cloud. Once it’s done, the icon will turn green and display a check mark. If you wish to transfer multiple files at once:

1. Hold ⌘ and click on each file you want to move

2. Drag one of the files to move all selected ones into the Dropbox folder

What you don’t have to worry about is how to sync Dropbox. Dropbox for Mac automatically saves all data placed inside the folder across all devices. As long as you can access your account, you can download any file stored in your Dropbox folder on your local machine. For example, you can move pictures you took on your phone to Dropbox and look at them on your Mac in seconds.

One of Dropbox’s strongest features you should definitely benefit from is sharing files with colleagues and family members. To designate files for sharing:

1. Right-click on the item you wish to share in your Dropbox

2. Select the option that says “Share…” with a Dropbox icon next to it

3. In the text field below the question “Who do you want to share with?”, type the email addresses of the people with whom you want to share the file

4. Grant the permission you want, either view only or with the ability to edit the file

5. Once done, you’ll be able to write a message for the recipient(s) if you want to do so. You can also create a link to send to people yourself if you don’t want Dropbox to send the link by email.

Using Dropbox on Mac as pure cloud storage is popular too, as it helps you keep backup copies of important files safe and ready to restore should need be.

What is Dropbox pricing?

Dropbox is available in four pricing plans: the first three let you expand the amount of storage you have by referring others to the service. For example, the basic free version of Dropbox will give you 500 MB per referral, expanding the initial 2 GB to a possible maximum of 18 GB of free storage. A Plus plan for $9.99 per month will give you 1 TB of storage space.

More than just Dropbox app for Mac

Having been one of the best choices for cloud file storage for a long time, more and more often Dropbox isn’t the only one in the cloud services portfolio for many people. For personal and professional data storage needs, more than one service is frequently used.

Why? A combination of cloud-based storages increases your Mac’s disk space to virtually unlimited, as long as you have an active internet connection. Unfortunately, it also turns managing different cloud accounts into quite a hustle.

Use CloudMounter to keep every storage in one place

Forget the trouble of switching across your cloud storage accounts. CloudMounter enables you to access it all from one app.

Luckily, there are apps like CloudMounter that allow you to use all your storage solutions in one place. CloudMounter connects your cloud storage providers to your Mac as if they were your external drives. This lets you treat cloud data just like local files and even move documents between the different clouds.

Another benefit of using CloudMounter is its latest encryption algorithm that guarantees the security of your cloud files. Plus it allows encrypting sensitive data on the cloud and doesn’t share your login info with third parties. The app works perfectly with all major cloud services and could become your ultimate cloud manager if you’re constantly dealing with several cloud services or feel there’s not enough free space on your Mac’s SSD.

Even better, you could match amazing cloud-storage opportunities with clever productivity apps. One such example that uses Dropbox to sync your work files across all devices is Unclutter.

Unclutter does wonders for those of us with busy clipboard lives: when you often have to copy several things at once and be able to paste each of them multiple times. Instead of creating temporary work folders and flood your desktop with files, opt for Unclutter’s drag-and-drop area that keeps your desktop clean and all your files, links, and notes at your fingertips.

Even more, Unclutter keeps track of everything you copy to your Mac’s clipboard even after the system was rebooted, lets you create separate lists to save particular clips for future use, has a memo assistant to remind you of things you don’t want to miss, and can have all the different files ready for you every time you open your Mac. And you’ve guessed it right, all the content is auto-synced across all your Dropbox-connected devices!

Best of all, you can find CloudMounter and Unclutter mentioned above on a free trial through Setapp, a platform of more than 150 useful Mac apps and tools that will completely overhaul the way you interact with your computer. So you decided how to use Dropbox on Mac yet?

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

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Oct 16, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud-based services working on all kinds of platforms. One of the best things about Dropbox is that it lets us improve the overall accessibility of our data. Sadly, a lot of people still don't know how to use Dropbox and face all sorts of Dropbox issues while using it. Don't worry – we are here to help you with this extensive guide on Dropbox features and troubleshooting. Let's learn what is Dropbox and how to use Dropbox on Mac like a pro!

Part 1. What Is Dropbox?

In a nutshell, Dropbox is a cloud-based service that is used for file storing, synchronization, and numerous other purposes. Since it supports a wide range of platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and so on, it lets us sync our data across different platforms as well. Ideally, 2 GB of space is available for free on Dropbox for every user. Though, there are different plans available for you to buy more space as well. Here are some of the main uses of Dropbox:

• Storing – You can simply take a backup of your important data and save it on the cloud.
• Syncing – Dropbox lets us sync our important files and folders between different devices. This can be used for both, personal and professional work.
• Sharing – You can just upload a file on Dropbox and share it with anyone you like. You can make the visibility of the data as public or private.
• Accessibility – Overall, the accessibility of the data is improved. Even multiple users can access the same file across different platforms.

Part 2. How Does Dropbox Work on Mac?

Ideally, Dropbox can be used in two different ways on Mac, You can visit its dedicated website to access your account or install its desktop application as well. By installing its desktop application, you can maintain a dedicated folder on Mac related to Dropbox.

1. How to Download and Install Dropbox on Mac

You can install Dropbox on Mac for free without any hassle. While the basic version is available for free, most of the people go for a pro subscription. This is because the basic version only provides 2 GB of storage while the pro version (costs $9.99) provides 1 TB of space. Once you have completed the purchase on Dropbox's website, follow these steps to install Dropbox on Mac.

1. Visit the official website of Dropbox and create your user account. If you already have an account, then simply log-in to it.
2. Select your plan and click on the option to download the Dropbox app on Mac. Confirm your choice and wait for the installer to be downloaded.
3. Open the installer from the Downloads folder. You can also find it in the Downloads tab of your browser.
4. Simply double click on the Dropbox icon to start the installation process.
5. By following a basic click-through process, you can complete the installation wizard. In the end, you need to log-in to your Dropbox account to complete the process.
6. Lastly, give the accessibility and other needed permissions to the Dropbox application. This will automatically add Dropbox to Finder as well.

2. How to Upload Files to Dropbox on Mac

Now when you have created a Dropbox folder on Finder, you can easily use it to upload and share files. To learn how to upload files to Dropbox, follow these steps:

1. Firstly, launch the Finder window by visiting the main menu and opening a new window.
2. On the sidebar, you can see an icon for the Dropbox folder. Simply click on it to visit the Dropbox folder.
3. Now, you can just copy data from any other location and paste it to the Dropbox folder. You can drag and drop files here as well.
4. Additionally, you can also visit the official website of Dropbox and choose to upload a file to your account.

Just make sure that your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection so that all the files will be uploaded instantly.

3. How to Download Files from Dropbox on Mac

Just like uploading, you can also learn how to download Dropbox files on Mac as well. In this way, you can save data to your Mac that is uploaded from some other source.

Install Dropbox For Macbook Pro

1. Firstly, you need to access Dropbox from the Finder or its folder via the Finder window.
2. Select the file you wish to save, right-click, and copy it. Now, go to any other location on your Mac and paste it.
3. If you want, you can also go to Dropbox's website, select the file of your choice, and click on the 'Download' button. This will save these files to your Mac's local storage.

4. How to Share a Dropbox Folder on Mac

Once you have stored certain files on Dropbox, you can easily share it with others. There are different ways to learn how to share a Dropbox folder. You can get its link and share it for public access to handpick the users you wish to share it with.

1. To begin with, just launch Finder and go to the sidebar to access the Dropbox folder.
2. On the right, you can view the stored data. Simply select and right-click the file/folder you wish to share.
3. You can choose to share the Dropbox link. This will give you a URL that you can share with others to access.
4. Additionally, you can click on the 'Share This Folder/File' option to handpick the users you want to share the selected content with.

5. How to Sync Dropbox on Mac

Dropbox allows us to sync the entire data on our account or selected folders with the connected devices. Here's a quick solution to learn how to sync Dropbox with your Mac.

1. Access Dropbox settings by clicking on its icon on Finder and visiting its Preferences.
2. Go to the Account section here to change settings of the selective sync feature.
3. From here, you can select the folders that you wish to sync between Dropbox and Mac.

6. How to Add Dropbox to Mac Finder

Dropbox Download For Macbook Pro

Ideally, the Dropbox folder is automatically added to Finder when we complete the installation. Nevertheless, if it goes missing, then you can easily add Dropbox to Finder by following these steps:

1. Firstly, launch Finder and go to the root directory (Macintosh or Fusion HD). Go to the 'Users' folder and select your user account.
2. Here, you can find a Dropbox folder under the respective user account directory. Simply select it, drag it, and drop it to the sidebar.
3. That's it! This will add Dropbox to Finder's sidebar for you to access frequently. If you want, you can right-click the folder and add it to the dock as well.

Part 3. Troubleshooting of Dropbox Issues

By following the above-listed solutions, you would be able to use Dropbox without any trouble. Though, chances are that you might encounter some unwanted Dropbox issues as well. To make things easier for you, we have listed quick solutions for some of these problems related to Dropbox on Mac.

1. Dropbox Not Working on Mac

This is one of the most common issues that Dropbox users face on Mac. Ideally, Dropbox can stop working on Mac due to all kinds of reasons related to the firmware or the application itself. You can fix the Dropbox not working issue by following these solutions.

Solution 1: Reinstall the app

If you are lucky, then you would be able to fix it by reinstalling the app. That is, delete the Dropbox app, clear its data, and install it again on Mac.

1. Launch Finder and go to its Applications folder to locate the Dropbox app.
2. Right-click the app icon and move it to the trash.
3. Uninstalling the app is not enough, as you need to delete its leftover data as well. To do this, go to the Library > Dropbox folder from Finder.
4. Once the app data is removed, you can go to Dropbox's website again and install the app.

Solution 2: Force Quit Dropbox

If the Dropbox app has been stuck or malfunctioning, then you can forcefully close it by following this simple drill.

1. Go to the Finder and click on the 'Force Close' option.
2. Alternatively, you can also press the Command + Option + Esc keys at the same time.
3. As the Force Quit Applications window will open, select Dropbox, and close it.
4. Wait for a while and launch the application again to check if it works or not.

2. Dropbox Not Syncing on Mac

Another issue that users often face is Dropbox not syncing on Mac. The guide has already listed how to sync Dropbox folders with Mac selectively. If it still won't work and you see that the Dropbox app has stopped syncing, then follow these suggestions.

Solution 1: Check Selective Sync Folders

Needless to say, you need to make sure that the folder you are trying to access has been synced with Dropbox or not.

1. Just access Dropbox from the Finder and click on its gear icon to visit its preferences.
2. Go to the 'Sync' tab and under the Selective Sync feature, choose the folders you wish to scan.
3. From here, you need to make sure that the folders you are trying to access have been synced with Dropbox.

Solution 2: Clear Dropbox Cache

Sometimes, the existing cache data on Dropbox can tamper with the overall functioning of the app and its features. Most of the Dropbox sync issues can be retrieved by getting rid of the accumulated cache.

1. Close the Dropbox application and from the Finder, click on Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter '~/Dropbox/.dropbox.cache' into the address bar to go to the location where Dropbox's cache files are stored.
3. From here, delete the unwanted cache data of Dropbox and relaunch the app when you are done.

3. Dropbox Not Connecting on Mac

A while back, a similar situation was faced by me when my Dropbox was not connecting. While the issue was with my network connection, chances are that there could be a problem with the app as well. If Dropbox won't open on Mac or experience connectivity issues, then follow these tips.

Solution 1: Check the network connection

This is the first thing that you should do when you get the Dropbox not connecting problem. Make sure that your Mac is connected to a working network and that Dropbox is running in the background. You can also launch Safari and try to access any secure website to check the network connection.

Solution 2: Quit Dropbox

If the problem is not with the network, then the Dropbox application might have launched incorrectly. In this case, you can close the Dropbox app and launch it again.

1. Click on the Dropbox app icon on the Finder and visit its settings by clicking on the gear icon.
2. Now, click on the 'Quit Dropbox' option to close the application from running in the background. If you want, you can forcefully quit it as well.
3. Afterward, wait for a while and launch the Dropbox application again.

Solution 3: Check for Updates

If you are running an old or outdated version of the app, then you might encounter issues like Dropbox won't start or connect on Mac. Thankfully, it can easily be fixed by updating the app.

1. Click on the Dropbox icon on the Finder to view its more info. From here, you can check if the app is updated or not.
2. If it is an old version, then you will get an option to update the app here.
3. Additionally, you can also go to Mac's App Store and update the Dropbox app as well.

4. Dropbox Files Not Showing Up on Mac

After completing the Dropbox installation, you would be able to access all the stored content in it. Though, sometimes users complain of the Dropbox files not showing up on the interface. In this case, you can consider following these solutions.

Solution 1: Launch Dropbox on system startup

Ideally, it is recommended to launch Dropbox on system startup, so that the app would keep running in the background. It will make sure that all the linked files will be shown as soon as you would launch Dropbox.

1. Quit the Dropbox app if it is already running in the background and go to its Settings > Preferences.
2. Visit the General tab and enable the option to start Dropbox on Mac startup.
3. Now, restart Mac and open Dropbox to view the synced files.

Solution 2: Quit Dropbox

Firstly, make sure that you are logged-in to the same Dropbox account where your data is stored. If it is the same account, then try to unlink your account and link it back again. This will most likely fix the Dropbox files not showing up issue.

1. Go to the Dropbox section on the Finder and click on the gear icon to visit its preferences.
2. Under the Accounts section, you can see an option to Unlink the Dropbox account.
3. Click on it to log out of your Dropbox account and relaunch the app to sign back in.

5. Dropbox Login Problem

As surprising as it might sound, there are times when users are not able to even log-in to their Dropbox account. Mostly, a simple restart of the app and the system would fix the Dropbox login problem. If not, then you need to go to System Preferences to resolve it.

Solution 1: Restart Mac

There are times when the system cache or some temp files can cause issues with Dropbox login. To fix this, just go to the Apple logo on the Finder and restart Mac. Once it is restarted, try to log-in to your Dropbox account again.

Solution 2: Add Dropbox to Login Items

This is a more technical solution to fix the Dropbox login problem. In this, we will manually add Dropbox to the list of login items in Mac's preferences.

1. Launch the Dropbox application on Mac first. You can do this by visiting Finder > Applications.
2. Now, go to Finder > System Preferences > Users & Groups and click on the 'Login Items' section.
3. If there is an existing entry for Dropbox, then remove it. Click on the '+' button to add a new entry.
4. Simply browse to the location where Dropbox is installed (Applications in most cases) to add it manually to the list of login items.

Part 4. Outlook Not Updating on Mac?

Dropbox is an excellent solution to sync and backup our data across different platforms. Though, there are times when users end up losing their important files from both Dropbox as well as Mac. In this case, you can take the assistance of Recoverit Data Recovery Mac. Developed by Wondershare, it is one of the most sophisticated data recovery tools out there. The application can retrieve every kind of data – irrespective of the scenario or the way it has been lost. Recoverit 8.0 is the latest version of the tool that is further equipped with numerous advanced features.

• Recoverit can extract more than 1000 different formats of files for photos, videos, audios, documents, and so much more.
• It supports every major disk format like HFS+, APFS, NTFS, exFAT, etc. You can run it on leading macOS versions, including the latest macOS 10.14.
• You can use Recoverit to get back your data that is accidentally deleted, corrupted by malware, lost due to a corrupt storage unit, and numerous other scenarios.
• Apart from Mac's startup disk, it can perform data recovery on other connected disks and external devices. This includes SD cards, pen drives, hard disks, etc.
• The basic version of Recoverit 8.0 is available for free and is known for its high data recovery results.

You can get back the lost data from Mac using Recoverit by following these 3 basic steps:

Step 1: Select a Location

Launch Recoverit Data Recovery on Mac and choose a location to scan. You can select the entire disk, a partition, or even a folder.

Step 2: Wait for the scan to finish

Click on the 'Start' button and wait for a few seconds for Recoverit to complete the extraction process.

Step 3: Preview and Recover

That's it! All the recovered data will be listed on the interface for you to preview. Simply select the files of your choice and click on the 'Recover' button to save them.

Conclusion

After reading this informative guide, you would certainly be able to know what is Dropbox, how to use it, and fix various Dropbox issues. For your convenience, the guide has included numerous tricks that will let you make the most of Dropbox in no time. We have also listed solutions for problems like Dropbox not opening, not connecting, not syncing, etc. Go ahead and try some of these Dropbox solutions and share this guide with your friends to help them do the same.

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