You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.

Forum Discussion

Jostein J.'s avatar
Jostein J.
Helpful | Level 5
4 years ago

How can I update client_modified for a file through the API?

I would like to update all the client_modified timestamps of my media files so that the image gallery app I'm using sorts the files in correct chronological order (it uses client_modified, and not exif data or similar for sorting). I would think this should be possible somehow but I can't figure out how.

 

Is it possible? The only workaround I know of is to temporarily move the file(s) to another folder (outside of Dropbox), then wait for Dropbox to register it as deleted, and then move the file(s) bak into the folder they were.

 

I'm using the Python SDK.

  • Greg-DB's avatar
    Greg-DB
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    This is technically possible, but there are a few complicating factors:

    • The only way to update client_modified is to perform an upload of the file with client_modified set.
    • If you upload the same exact file data to an existing file, Dropbox won't consider this a change (since the file data didn't change) and so won't commit new metadata (such as an updated client_modified).

    That being the case, you can make these changes, but you'll need to do so like you described, that is, by performing the upload with client_modified set, but as a new or changed file. (I'll send this along as a feature request for an easier/more efficient way to do this, but I can't promise if or when that might be implemented.)

    • Jostein J.'s avatar
      Jostein J.
      Helpful | Level 5
      Thanks!

      That would be quite useful to have in the API.

About Dropbox API Support & Feedback

Node avatar for Dropbox API Support & Feedback

Find help with the Dropbox API from other developers.

5,910 PostsLatest Activity: 3 days ago
333 Following

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!