Greetings community! Previously, I used to be able to see my Mac represented on my Dropbox as a folder (I had enabled the backup option). This was super convenient because I could easily access my files on-the-go using my Dropbox iPhone app. However, due to a computer issue, I needed to wipe my MacBook Pro clean and reinstall everything (including Dropbox). I enabled backup for my MacBook. However, now, it doesn't show me the MacBook folder like it used to. So I can't access my files on the go. It shows me that I have backed up my files and I am able to see them through a web browser. However, the folder representing my MacBook (backup) has stopped showing on Dropbox. Is this due to some update in how backups work now for Dropbox on Mac? How do I get the backup folder to start showing up on Dropbox again. Thanks!

Jay wrote:This was the behavior of the old Dropbox Backup feature. After an update to the feature, the backups are now only visible on the Dropbox site. It isn't possible to revert this change.Is it a joke? I can't access my desktop data from the iPhone or iPad App? What a stupid idea. The whole Dropbox behavior is awful on a mac. We pay for the service and it gets worse and worse with every update.

Our company uses Dropbox across all devices, precisely because our employees could see anything in their documents folder wherever they were, on any device. We just got hit with this when we "updated" Dropbox Backup. Lost access to all Documents folders and files on anything other than the computer itself. BE WARNED: this will happen even if you tell Dropbox you DON'T want to remove the files. This is beyond irritating. The main reason we used Dropbox was so we could access our documents anywhere, anytime, from any device. Moving things to the Dropbox folder is NOT a solution, since Dropbox sometimes lags and crashes. All we wanted was the ability to view Documents folders remotely. Pretty please, either move the backup function back into the main Dropbox "files" folder, or find a way to make the "backup" files accessible on all Dropbox apps and linked devices. The service becomes almost useless (for us) without it.

I agree with the poster above.. this has made things very troublesome by not allowing everything to be read via the mobile app. I understand the principle of having the major "backups" be in a different segment of dropbox.. but it shouldnt be that hard to access all the files. Maybe inside the regular current Dropbox app, feature a button that allows up to actually open the files that are in this "backups" section? OR maybe create another "Dropbox Backups" app that will allow us to remotely view these backup files without having to go thru the browser?

Yes, I think the posters above understand this. It's just that the developers _took away_ a feature (access to backup files via iphone or ipad) that was very useful before to many people, without any appreciable benefit....

Hello Rich,thanks for the quick answer, but i want use my Desktop files on other devices. This was the normal behavior in the past (4-5 month ago). Now Dropbox launch a "Backup" App and we can't use these files on other devices? Sorry this is stupid. I have enough real backups. I don't need another online backup for my desktop files. Why did Dropbox change it?Since i join the Beta versions on my main mac, Dropbox is not anymore the tool i want to use.

How to view Backup folder on DropBox app?

26 Replies

Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi dislokated, thanks for messaging the Community!

This was the behavior of the old Dropbox Backup feature.

After an update to the feature, the backups are now only visible on the Dropbox site. It isn't possible to revert this change.

If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.
tlloyd88
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
I just encountered the same problem when starting a new macbook. This is a _really_ unhelpful change! Any chance it could be changed on the next update? (Please!!!)
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi @tlloyd88, we appreciate the feedback on this matter.

We take all comments into consideration when improving the Dropbox site and services.
mbriney
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
I agree with the poster above.. this has made things very troublesome by not allowing everything to be read via the mobile app. I understand the principle of having the major "backups" be in a different segment of dropbox.. but it shouldnt be that hard to access all the files. Maybe inside the regular current Dropbox app, feature a button that allows up to actually open the files that are in this "backups" section? OR maybe create another "Dropbox Backups" app that will allow us to remotely view these backup files without having to go thru the browser?
ensoniq70
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Jay wrote:
This was the behavior of the old Dropbox Backup feature.
After an update to the feature, the backups are now only visible on the Dropbox site. It isn't possible to revert this change.
Is it a joke? I can't access my desktop data from the iPhone or iPad App? What a stupid idea. The whole Dropbox behavior is awful on a mac. We pay for the service and it gets worse and worse with every update.
Rich
Super User II
2 years ago
ensoniq70 wrote:
I can't access my desktop data from the iPhone or iPad App? What a stupid idea.

Don't confuse your Dropbox data (files located within your Dropbox folder) with the data saved through use of the Backup feature. Your Dropbox data is accessible in the mobile apps. It's just your backup data that can only be viewed through the website.
tlloyd88
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Yes, I think the posters above understand this. It's just that the developers _took away_ a feature (access to backup files via iphone or ipad) that was very useful before to many people, without any appreciable benefit....
ensoniq70
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Hello Rich,
thanks for the quick answer, but i want use my Desktop files on other devices. This was the normal behavior in the past (4-5 month ago). Now Dropbox launch a "Backup" App and we can't use these files on other devices? Sorry this is stupid. I have enough real backups. I don't need another online backup for my desktop files. Why did Dropbox change it?
Since i join the Beta versions on my main mac, Dropbox is not anymore the tool i want to use.
Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hey everyone, thanks for your feedback on this.

We've already passed your comments along to our team.

If you'd like to access your backup files from all your devices, a workaround could be to move them into the Dropbox folder.

I understand it's not a solution, but I hope it helps.

We really appreciate you taking the time to post your thoughts and rest assured that they've reached the appropriate people.
lrw2
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago
Our company uses Dropbox across all devices, precisely because our employees could see anything in their documents folder wherever they were, on any device.

We just got hit with this when we "updated" Dropbox Backup. Lost access to all Documents folders and files on anything other than the computer itself. BE WARNED: this will happen even if you tell Dropbox you DON'T want to remove the files.

This is beyond irritating. The main reason we used Dropbox was so we could access our documents anywhere, anytime, from any device. Moving things to the Dropbox folder is NOT a solution, since Dropbox sometimes lags and crashes. All we wanted was the ability to view Documents folders remotely.

Pretty please, either move the backup function back into the main Dropbox "files" folder, or find a way to make the "backup" files accessible on all Dropbox apps and linked devices. The service becomes almost useless (for us) without it.