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Christian A.8's avatar
Christian A.8
Explorer | Level 3
2 months ago

Memory leak in the mobile app on Android

Hi, I am using dropbox an various devices (Windows, Mac, iOS, iPadOS and Android).

I prefer to keep all contents offline available, so I activated these options.

 

Right now, there is around 16 GB of data kept in my dropbox space.

I rarely delete files. In most cases, existing files are updated or some new files are added.

There's no problem on Windows, Mac, and Apple mobile devices.

On iPhone and iPad, the app needs about 17,x GB memory, that sounds okay.

When updating or changing files, the memory consumption on iPhone and iPad changes as expected, depending on the changed files.

 

However, this isn't the case an Android devices.

Here, the memory consumption keeps growing and growing.

 

I made a test, at the same time I deleted and re-installed the apps both an Apple and Android devices from scratch.

Downloaded all files again and made them available offline.

After some weeks, memory consumption on the Apple devices is rather constant and within an expected range, still around 17.x GB.

While on my Android tablet, the app uses 28 GB. And on my Android phone, it needs 22 GB.

Is this a known issue? Why does the Dropbox Android App need so much more memory, and why is it growing and growing?

 

My only solution is, to clear and re-install the apps everyone 1-2 months.

 

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hey Christian A.8 - thanks for bringing this to our attention.


    Just to clarify, how large are the files you've offlined on your Android device? Could you send us a screenshot of where you're spotting the memory discrepancy?

     

    Also, what is your device's exact OS version and the version of the Dropbox mobile app?

     

    Any additional information and/or screenshots are more than welcome! 

    • Christian A.8's avatar
      Christian A.8
      Explorer | Level 3

      Hello, the largest file is around 800 MB, but this is an exception.

      There are many small JPGs and XLSX and also lots of mid-sized PDFs (50 to 200 mb)

       

      I've attached some screenshots:

      Windows 11 23H2, patch level October 2024

      iPhone 13 Pro - iOS 18.0.1

      Samsung Galaxy Phone A53, Android 14, latest patchlevel (no updates available)

      Samsung Galaxy tab S6, Android 12, latest patchlevel (also no updates available)

       

      Screenshots:

      [removed per the Community's Guidelines]

       

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Could you use the camera icon within your reply box to attach your screenshots instead of sending us 3rd party links Christian A.8

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