What is Dropbox on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Dropbox's file sync app; DropboxMacUpdate keeps it updated.
Dropbox syncs files between your Mac and Dropbox's cloud. It's busy when files are being uploaded, downloaded or scanned for changes. DropboxMacUpdate is Dropbox's background updater, which Dropbox says checks for new versions even when the app is closed. On recent macOS versions Dropbox also works through Apple's File Provider system (fileproviderd).
- Category
- Third-party
- Made by
- Dropbox
- Safe to quit:
- Yes
Shown in Activity Monitor as Dropbox, DropboxMacUpdate, dbfseventsd
Why is Dropbox using so much CPU or memory?
- Syncing many or large files
- First sync after installing or relinking
- Many small files changing (code projects, photo libraries)
- Updating the app
What to do
- 1Check sync status in the Dropbox menu bar icon
- 2Pause syncing if you need the CPU or bandwidth
- 3Use selective sync or online-only files for folders you don't need locally
- 4Quit and reopen Dropbox, and keep it updated
Safe to quit? Yes.
Safe to quit; files stop syncing until you reopen Dropbox.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library