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Alfred cannot find files after installing Dropbox Beta for CloudStorage (Intel)


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After installing the beta version of Dropbox on Monterey, which moves the Dropbox folder to ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox, I can no longer find any files in Dropbox. Spotlight finds them with no problems. I have followed the steps for rebuilding macOS Metadata with no success. I've tried to follow the suggestions in the other thread involving Apple Silicon Mac with no success.

 

  • Alfred version: 4.6.4 [1294]
  • macOS version: 12.3.1 (MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports))
  • Dropbox app version 147.2.727
  • Dropbox folder location (not an alias/link): ~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox
  • ~/Library/CloudStorage is in search scope

 

Running file search trouble shooter results in the following:

 

Starting Diagnostics...

File: 'Amica Policy 2022.pdf'
Path: '/Users/gomas/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/Family/Amica'

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file cache database...

File cache integrity is ok

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if file is readable...

Alfred has permissions to read this file.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if volume '/' is indexed by macOS...

Indexing is enabled on this drive

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check direct file metadata...

Direct metadata available

Display Name: Amica Policy 2022.pdf
 Other Names: 
Content Type: com.adobe.pdf
   Last Used: 2022-01-04 05:21:44 +0000

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check mdls file metadata...

Metadata contains required items

_kMDItemDisplayNameWithExtensions      = "Amica Policy 2022.pdf"
kMDItemContentCreationDate             = 2022-01-04 05:21:14 +0000
kMDItemContentCreationDate_Ranking     = 2022-01-04 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate         = 2022-01-04 05:21:14 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate_Ranking = 2022-01-04 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemContentType                     = "com.adobe.pdf"
kMDItemContentTypeTree                 = (
    "com.adobe.pdf",
    "public.data",
    "public.item",
    "public.composite-content",
    "public.content"
)
kMDItemCreator                         = "Oracle Documaker PDF Driver 012.006.001.0033699.020 Jun  7 2018"
kMDItemDateAdded                       = 2022-01-04 05:21:42 +0000
kMDItemDateAdded_Ranking               = 2022-01-04 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemDisplayName                     = "Amica Policy 2022.pdf"
kMDItemDocumentIdentifier              = 140714
kMDItemFileItemID                      = "__fp/OGI0YjZlYjQtZDc1Ni00NjVmLWJlOTEtOGYxM2Q2NGViOTFk/__fp/fs/docID(140714)"
kMDItemFilename                        = "Amica Policy 2022.pdf"
kMDItemFileProviderID                  = "com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider"
kMDItemFSContentChangeDate             = 2022-01-04 05:21:14 +0000
kMDItemFSCreationDate                  = 2022-01-04 05:21:14 +0000
kMDItemFSCreatorCode                   = ""
kMDItemFSFinderFlags                   = 0
kMDItemFSHasCustomIcon                 = (null)
kMDItemFSInvisible                     = 0
kMDItemFSIsExtensionHidden             = 0
kMDItemFSIsStationery                  = (null)
kMDItemFSLabel                         = 0
kMDItemFSName                          = "Amica Policy 2022.pdf"
kMDItemFSNodeCount                     = (null)
kMDItemFSOwnerGroupID                  = 20
kMDItemFSOwnerUserID                   = 501
kMDItemFSSize                          = 48487
kMDItemFSTypeCode                      = ""
kMDItemInterestingDate_Ranking         = 2022-01-04 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemIsDownloading                   = 0
kMDItemIsShared                        = 0
kMDItemIsUploaded                      = 1
kMDItemIsUploading                     = 0
kMDItemKind                            = "PDF document"
kMDItemLastUsedDate                    = 2022-01-04 05:21:44 +0000
kMDItemLastUsedDate_Ranking            = 2022-01-04 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemLogicalSize                     = 48487
kMDItemNumberOfPages                   = 3
kMDItemPageHeight                      = 792
kMDItemPageWidth                       = 612
kMDItemPhysicalSize                    = 49152
kMDItemSecurityMethod                  = "None"
kMDItemTitle                           = "COVERAGE Copy"
kMDItemUseCount                        = 1
kMDItemUsedDates                       = (
    "2022-01-04 05:00:00 +0000"
)
kMDItemUserOwned                       = 0
kMDItemVersion                         = "1.3"

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file is in search scope...

File exists within Alfred's default search scope

-----------------------------------------------------------

Troubleshooting passed
 

Link to comment
  • 6 months later...

@lobodpav Are you using Dropbox Smartsync (where Dropbox may arbitrarily move files to online-only if it deems it necessary to manage space)? Or are these files all set to be stored locally?

 

When a file isn't found in Dropbox, if you move or copy it to a non-Dropbox location, is it immediately found?

Link to comment

@Vero

 

Just a +1 for this issue. I recently upgraded Dropbox to their beta version which moved Dropbox in to a new location. I'm running Dropbox v161.2.3504 with Alfred 5.0.3. I ran the file troubleshooter and got all green checkmarks but Alfred will not show the results of a find, even when I add that specific dropbox folder in to the scope. Spotlight shows the file no problem. 

 

This must be related to the way that Dropbox is now structuring their files.  As an aside, I did give Alfred permissions to access Dropbox when asked recently (after I had upgraded to Dropbox beta, I've been asked for most apps if they can access Dropbox). 

 

I added my troubleshoot file below just see if there is something that might help. 

 

image.png.f20ff4d5b384014f2f7aa7fb8186c0f3.png

 

 

Starting Diagnostics...

File: 'ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png'
Path: '/Users/allannygren/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/ALFRED TEST'

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file cache database...

 File cache integrity is ok

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if file is readable...

 Alfred has permissions to read this file.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if volume '/' is indexed by macOS...

 Indexing is enabled on this drive

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check direct file metadata...

 Direct metadata available

Display Name: ALFRED TEST SCREEN
 Other Names: ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png
Content Type: public.png
   Last Used: 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check mdls file metadata...

 Metadata contains required items

_kMDItemDisplayNameWithExtensions      = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
kMDItemAlternateNames                  = (
    "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
)
kMDItemBitsPerSample                   = 32
kMDItemColorSpace                      = "RGB"
kMDItemComment                         = "Screenshot"
kMDItemContentCreationDate             = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemContentCreationDate_Ranking     = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate         = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate_Ranking = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemContentType                     = "public.png"
kMDItemContentTypeTree                 = (
    "public.png",
    "public.image",
    "public.data",
    "public.item",
    "public.content"
)
kMDItemDateAdded                       = 2022-10-21 17:40:33 +0000
kMDItemDateAdded_Ranking               = 2022-10-21 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemDisplayName                     = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN"
kMDItemDocumentIdentifier              = 154392
kMDItemFileItemID                      = "__fp/MWRlZDBiZjItMzdhZS00ZTJkLWIyMmEtNzVmODJjZTM2N2Vh/__fp/fs/docID(154392)"
kMDItemFilename                        = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
kMDItemFileProviderID                  = "com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider"
kMDItemFSContentChangeDate             = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemFSCreationDate                  = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemFSCreatorCode                   = ""
kMDItemFSFinderFlags                   = 16
kMDItemFSHasCustomIcon                 = (null)
kMDItemFSInvisible                     = 0
kMDItemFSIsExtensionHidden             = 1
kMDItemFSIsStationery                  = (null)
kMDItemFSLabel                         = 0
kMDItemFSName                          = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
kMDItemFSNodeCount                     = (null)
kMDItemFSOwnerGroupID                  = 20
kMDItemFSOwnerUserID                   = 501
kMDItemFSSize                          = 148091
kMDItemFSTypeCode                      = ""
kMDItemHasAlphaChannel                 = 1
kMDItemImageIsScreenshot               = 1
kMDItemInterestingDate_Ranking         = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemIsDownloading                   = 0
kMDItemIsScreenCapture                 = 1
kMDItemIsShared                        = 0
kMDItemIsUploaded                      = 1
kMDItemIsUploading                     = 0
kMDItemKind                            = "PNG image"
kMDItemLastUsedDate                    = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemLastUsedDate_Ranking            = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemLogicalSize                     = 148091
kMDItemOrientation                     = 1
kMDItemPhysicalSize                    = 151552
kMDItemPixelCount                      = 860848
kMDItemPixelHeight                     = 1384
kMDItemPixelWidth                      = 622
kMDItemProfileName                     = "LG HDR 4K"
kMDItemResolutionHeightDPI             = 144
kMDItemResolutionWidthDPI              = 144
kMDItemScreenCaptureGlobalRect         = (
    2675,
    133,
    311,
    692
)
kMDItemScreenCaptureType               = "selection"
kMDItemUseCount                        = 2
kMDItemUsedDates                       = (
    "2022-10-20 06:00:00 +0000"
)
kMDItemUserOwned                       = 0

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file is in search scope...

 File exists within Alfred's default search scope

-----------------------------------------------------------

 Troubleshooting passed

 

Screen Shot 2022-10-21 at 11.41.02 AM.png

Screen Shot 2022-10-21 at 11.41.31 AM.png

Link to comment

I have the exact same issue. Macbook Pro latest gen, Alfred 5.0.3, Ventura 13.0 just installed, new Dropbox 159.4.5870, I added Dropbox to the search scope but Alfred can't see any files stored in Dropbpx. Not using the version where files disappear online. All these files were being routinely found before. Spotlight finds the files with no issue. Alfred diagnostics sees no issue.

 

Seems you need to check this for yourself with latest Dropbpx, and fix this behavior asap. Many thanks.

Edited by swiss-mike
Link to comment

We're investigating this and will respond as soon as possible; Dropbox has changed the location of files for users using various locations and methods quite a few times over the past two years, so we'll need to establish what their intentions are this time. 

 

We're also working on putting in additional checks in Alfred's File Troubleshooting, which will provide more insight into issues like these.

 

If anyone receives any feedback from Dropbox themselves, please do share this insight here as it may be helpful.

 

Cheers,
Vero

Link to comment

Try the following:

  1. Reset Alfred’s Search Scope: Alfred Preferences → Features → Default Results → Reset (bottom right on the table).
  2. Log out of Dropbox in the app: Click it in the menubar → click your icon on the top right → Preferences → Account → Sign out.
  3. Reopen dropbox and sign in again.

If it doesn’t work: try again but on step 1 delete everything in the search scope then add / and untick macOS Applications folder and Folders in Home. Then do steps 2 and 3.

Link to comment

Hi all! @lobodpav @AllanN @Softov @gomas64 @JimFuoco @swiss-mike I'm tagging you to make sure you see this.

 

Could you please update to Alfred 5.0.4 b2092, which we've just put in pre-release, then follow the steps outlined by @vitor above. Let us know the outcome once you've done this.

 

Next, open Alfred's preferences to Help > Troubleshooting and run the File Troubleshooter. Drag in a few Dropbox files through it, then copy and paste the full output (not a screenshot) to your reply in this thread.

Link to comment

@Vero

 

Thanks for following up with us! I upgraded to the pre-release and followed the steps provided by @vitor.

 

Same outcome for me with no results showing. I did run my test file through the troubleshooter. This is what failed on the below. Everything else checked out right (which I've included further down but just removed sensitive information). 

 

Thanks for the help! 

 

image.thumb.png.d7b081706e56ab2dffb5011843526f99.png

 

Starting Diagnostics...

File: 'ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png'
Path: '/Users/allannygren/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/ALFRED TEST'

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file cache database...

File cache integrity is ok

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if file is readable...

Alfred has permissions to read this file.

Unix Permissions: 420
Underlying Type: NSFileTypeRegular
Extended Attributes: (
    "com.apple.macl",
    "com.apple.metadata:kMDItemIsScreenCapture",
    "com.apple.metadata:kMDItemScreenCaptureGlobalRect",
    "com.apple.metadata:kMDItemScreenCaptureType",
    "com.dropbox.attributes:screenshot",
    "com.dropbox.attrs"
)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if volume '/' is indexed by macOS...

Indexing is enabled on this drive

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check direct file metadata...

Direct metadata available

Display Name: ALFRED TEST SCREEN
 Other Names: ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png
Content Type: public.png
   Last Used: 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check mdls file metadata...

Metadata contains required items

_kMDItemDisplayNameWithExtensions  = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
kMDItemAlternateNames              = (
    "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
)
kMDItemBitsPerSample               = 32
kMDItemColorSpace                  = "RGB"
kMDItemComment                     = "Screenshot"
kMDItemContentCreationDate         = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemContentCreationDate_Ranking = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate     = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemContentType                 = "public.png"
kMDItemContentTypeTree             = (
    "public.png",
    "public.image",
    "public.data",
    "public.item",
    "public.content"
)
kMDItemDateAdded                   = 2022-10-21 17:40:33 +0000
kMDItemDisplayName                 = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN"
kMDItemDocumentIdentifier          = 154392
kMDItemFileItemID                  = "__fp/MWRlZDBiZjItMzdhZS00ZTJkLWIyMmEtNzVmODJjZTM2N2Vh/__fp/fs/docID(154392)"
kMDItemFilename                    = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
kMDItemFileProviderID              = "com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider"
kMDItemFSContentChangeDate         = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemFSCreationDate              = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemFSCreatorCode               = ""
kMDItemFSFinderFlags               = 16
kMDItemFSHasCustomIcon             = (null)
kMDItemFSInvisible                 = 0
kMDItemFSIsExtensionHidden         = 1
kMDItemFSIsStationery              = (null)
kMDItemFSLabel                     = 0
kMDItemFSName                      = "ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
kMDItemFSNodeCount                 = (null)
kMDItemFSOwnerGroupID              = 20
kMDItemFSOwnerUserID               = 501
kMDItemFSSize                      = 148091
kMDItemFSTypeCode                  = ""
kMDItemHasAlphaChannel             = 1
kMDItemImageIsScreenshot           = 1
kMDItemInterestingDate_Ranking     = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemIsDownloading               = 0
kMDItemIsScreenCapture             = 1
kMDItemIsShared                    = 0
kMDItemIsUploaded                  = 0
kMDItemIsUploading                 = 1
kMDItemKind                        = "PNG image"
kMDItemLastUsedDate                = 2022-10-20 15:47:51 +0000
kMDItemLastUsedDate_Ranking        = 2022-10-20 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemLogicalSize                 = 148091
kMDItemOrientation                 = 1
kMDItemPhysicalSize                = 151552
kMDItemPixelCount                  = 860848
kMDItemPixelHeight                 = 1384
kMDItemPixelWidth                  = 622
kMDItemProfileName                 = "LG HDR 4K"
kMDItemResolutionHeightDPI         = 144
kMDItemResolutionWidthDPI          = 144
kMDItemScreenCaptureGlobalRect     = (
    2675,
    133,
    311,
    692
)
kMDItemScreenCaptureType           = "selection"
kMDItemUseCount                    = 2
kMDItemUsedDates                   = (
    "2022-10-20 06:00:00 +0000"
)
kMDItemUserOwned                   = 0

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file is in search scope...

File exists within Alfred's default search scope

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check MDQuery file search...

macOS failed to return a match for this file in your search scope

File Search Results for search scope (
)

File Search Results for ~/ (
    "[0] /System/Volumes/Data/Users/USERNAME/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/ALFRED TEST/ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
)

File Search Results for / (
    "[0] /System/Volumes/Data/Users/USERNAME/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/ALFRED TEST/ALFRED TEST SCREEN.png"
)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Troubleshooting failed
 

 

Link to comment

@AllanN Thanks for sharing your results!

 

Could you please do the following:

  1. Navigate to Alfred's Preferences > Features > Default Results
  2. In the Search Scope section, uncheck macOS Applications and Folder in Home
  3. Clear out your search scope (you can do this by selecting them all, then using backspace)
  4. Drag in your MacintoshHD so that you see / as the only item in your search scope

This is what your search scope should now look like:

search-scope-all.png

 

Then try to find some files in the usual way in Dropbox, and let me know how you get on :)

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