• Steps
  • 1. Sync the folder to a staging location
  • 2. Copy the folder outside Dropbox
  • 3. Verify the copied folder matches the original
  • 4. Create a ZIP archive (via Terminal)
  • 5. Verify the ZIP archive
  • 6. Generate a checksum
  • 7. Copy archive to long-term storage
  • 8. Clean up

Goal: Safely migrate data out of Dropbox into a verifiable, long-term archive stored on Google Drive (or another external location).

This process ensures data integrity, removes cloud-sync side effects, and creates a durable archive you can trust years later.

§Steps

§1. Sync the folder to a staging location

• Allow Dropbox to fully sync the folder to a local staging area (e.g. DataBackup2)
• Confirm sync is complete (green checkmark)

§2. Copy the folder outside Dropbox

• Create a neutral folder not managed by Dropbox (e.g. Transfers)
• Copy the folder from Dropbox into this location

§3. Verify the copied folder matches the original

• Confirm basic parity:

  • same folder size
  • same number of files

• (Optional) Use Finder “Get Info” or ls "folder" | wc -l

• NOTE if you want to use terminal follow the instructions below:

cd /path_to_parent_folder
find "folder" | wc -l
du -sh "folder"

Make sure these values are identical to the original folder

§4. Create a ZIP archive (via Terminal)

Run from the parent directory of the copied folder:

zip -r Archived-FolderName.zip Archived-FolderName

• Using Terminal avoids Finder permission and metadata issues.

§5. Verify the ZIP archive

unzip -t Archived-FolderName.zip

Proceed only if you see:

No errors detected in compressed data

§6. Generate a checksum

Create a SHA-256 checksum and save it alongside the ZIP:

shasum -a 256 Archived-FolderName.zip > Archived-FolderName.zip.sha256

This file is your long-term integrity anchor.

§7. Copy archive to long-term storage

Upload both files:

• Archived-FolderName.zip

• Archived-FolderName.zip.sha256

• Destination: Google Drive, external HDD, or cold storage.

§8. Clean up

Once upload completes successfully, delete:

= the original Dropbox folder = the copied working folder

• the local ZIP (optional, if Drive is your source of truth)