How to resolve a domain conflict when setting up Dropbox on macOS

This article explains how to fix a domain conflict error when you’re setting up or migrating Dropbox on macOS.

If you’re having issues setting up Dropbox on macOS because a domain with the same name already exists, it means that there’s an older or duplicate Dropbox folder in your CloudStorage directory, or that Dropbox isn’t allowed to re-use an existing File Provider domain in that location.

Why is this happening

Dropbox uses the File Provider framework to store files in a specific folder located at ~/Library/CloudStorage/.

Each Dropbox account creates its own domain in this location. For example:

• Dropbox - Personal
• Dropbox – Work Team

A domain conflict occurs when Dropbox detects an existing domain with the same name and can’t re-use it. This can happen if:

• The old domain belongs to another user or account.
• The domain was not deleted after uninstalling or restoring from backup.
• macOS no longer recognizes it as a valid File Provider domain.

How resolve the domain conflict

When a domain conflict happens, you might experience errors during Dropbox setup and migration to File Provider. To fix the domain conflict, complete the following steps.

Quit the Dropbox app:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in the menu bar in the upper-right corner of your screen.
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the bottom-left corner.
3. Click Quit.

Open your CloudStorage folder and resolve the conflict:

1. Click the Finder icon at the bottom of your screen.
2. Click Go in the top-left corner of the screen.
3. Click Go to folder….
4. Paste this path: ~/Library/CloudStorage/.
5. Look for an old Dropbox folder.
   • You might see folders with different names, such as:
     • Dropbox
     • Dropbox – Work Team
     • Dropbox (Old)
6. Move the old folder out of CloudStorage and into your desktop. To do so:
   1. Open the Terminal app.
   2. Copy and paste this command: sudo mv "~/Library/CloudStorage/<Exact Dropbox Folder Name>" "~/Desktop/<Exact Dropbox Folder Name>".
   3. Replace <Exact Dropbox Folder Name> with the name of the folder you’re moving. For example, if the old Dropbox folder is called Dropbox (Old), run the command sudo mv "~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox (Old)" "~/Desktop/Dropbox (Old)".
   4. Press Return.

7. Open the Dropbox app and log in.

Learn how to move the Dropbox folder to a new location.