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Forum Discussion
dbwontsync
7 years agoNew member | Level 2
My dropbox won't sync files if my IPhone screen is locked
Hi there,
I spend most of the day taking pictues with my IPhone and sending this photos to my drop box account, so I can access this photos from my computer for editing and posting on social media....
- 7 years ago
Yes, that's expected since you're manually uploading your photos dbwontsync - read on for more context:
Currently, photos and videos can upload while the Dropbox app is active and for a short time after it is dismissed, as you have noticed as well. After that time iOS applications' policy restricts us from continuing to access files to upload, unless you enable the background uploading option (available when using our automatic camera uploads feature).
As mentioned, you can enable background uploading within the Camera Upload settings, at which point our app will ask for permission to access your device's location services while it does not collect your location's information.
Moreover, you should be able to change this behavior following these steps (they might be slightly different depending on your mobile device's OS and version):
1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. You will see some of your apps listed at the bottom of the list of settings. Tap the Dropbox app in this list.
3. Enable “Background App Refresh”, and then tap the “Privacy” option
4. Turn on “Photos” so that Dropbox can access your Photos, then tap “Location Services”.
5. Choose “Always”.
I hope this helps improve the progress on this matter while for more information, you can check out our Help Center article here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/mobile/location-data
Let me know if you need anything else!
Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey there dbwontsync - how are you today?
As a frist step to fix this issue, could you please turn on Background Uploading following these steps?
1. Open the Dropbox app.
2. Tap the "Home" tab.
3. Tap the gear icon :gear:
4. Select “Camera Uploads.”
5. Toggle "Background Uploading" to "on." (Or, if it's already set to "on," toggle the setting off and then on again.)
I hope this helps!
dbwontsync
7 years agoNew member | Level 2
Hey Walter,
Thank you for you reply.
Unfortunately I am only able to select "background uploading" option when the option auto upload photos if enabled.
In my case, I dont want all the pictures to be synced.
I usually select the one's I want, create a new folder and upload the selected one's.
Is that because I am using the free account?
Thanks
- Walter7 years agoDropbox Staff
Yes, that's expected since you're manually uploading your photos dbwontsync - read on for more context:
Currently, photos and videos can upload while the Dropbox app is active and for a short time after it is dismissed, as you have noticed as well. After that time iOS applications' policy restricts us from continuing to access files to upload, unless you enable the background uploading option (available when using our automatic camera uploads feature).
As mentioned, you can enable background uploading within the Camera Upload settings, at which point our app will ask for permission to access your device's location services while it does not collect your location's information.
Moreover, you should be able to change this behavior following these steps (they might be slightly different depending on your mobile device's OS and version):
1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. You will see some of your apps listed at the bottom of the list of settings. Tap the Dropbox app in this list.
3. Enable “Background App Refresh”, and then tap the “Privacy” option
4. Turn on “Photos” so that Dropbox can access your Photos, then tap “Location Services”.
5. Choose “Always”.
I hope this helps improve the progress on this matter while for more information, you can check out our Help Center article here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/mobile/location-data
Let me know if you need anything else!
- Helmutsg5 years agoHelpful | Level 5Hey, I have uswd DB for years now and for approx a year it doesnt upload in the background anymore even though I have changed my phone (now a new iphone 11pro max) and always location on etc etc. It doesnt do anything as soon as I open a different app or lock my screen. This is going on for a year now so I have no clue what the issue is as I have done hundreds of steps from all over the internet but nothing seems to fix it. Horrible. I have to keep my phone screen on all day long with the app open after ever vacation....
- Walter5 years agoDropbox Staff
I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with this Helmutsg. Let's have a look into this now.
Just to make sure we're troubleshooting the right thing here can you include a screenshot of the Camera Uploads settings in the Dropbox app in your next reply here?
If you could also send a screenshot of the Dropbox permissions settings (you can find these by opening the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad, and then tapping “Dropbox.”), that'd be awesome!
Thanks a bunch!
- GabrielRoe5 years agoNew member | Level 2
I have tried to follw the steps described in the approved solution. But it doesn't work in iOS13.6 Any ideas? All help appreciated.
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