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Forum Discussion
Integration with iOs Files app dropping out
I am running an iPad Pro (3rd generation) with iOs 15.1, but I had the same problem with previous versions of iOs as well. I have two issues.
First, I have tried a number of times to add Dropbox folders as "Favourites" in the side bar. It works when I add them, but then later they just disappear.
Second, when trying to access my Dropbox files through the iOs Files app, the connection seems to periodically drop out. It works fine most of the time, but often I will try to load it and it just shows me a blank screen. I then have to leave it sitting there for about 10 minutes and eventually it reloads and takes me back to the home Dropbox folder. But during that time if I try to access Dropbox through the Files app it just doesn't load. Below is a screenshot of me trying to access Dropbox:
I've been having the same problem for a very long time. It doesn't happen with any of the other cloud services I have set up in Files. Only in Dropbox. It doesn't happen when I use the Dropbox app itself. Only when I access Dropbox files through the Files app on my iPad. It is not just annoying, it prevents me from being able to do my job. All the files I need to edit are housed in Dropbox. I need to open the PDF documents in Files so I can handwrite feedback on them with my iPad and Pencil. When the connection drops, it can be up to 5 minutes before I can be productive again. That kills my ability to get all my work done. I wish someone would get this resolved!
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey bsullens, sorry to hear you're having issues with our integration with the Files app for iOS/iPadOS devices.
Could you please let us know some additional information about the issue at hand?
For example, what is your device's OS and the version of our mobile app used on the affected devices?
Does this happen when you're on cellular data, wifi or both?
Any additional information is more than welcome.I'm using my iPad when this occurs. I honestly have not tried it on my iPhone because the reason I am opening these files in the Files app is for markup with the pencil. My iOS version on the iPad is 15.2.1. This iPad does not have cellular capability, so it happens when I am connected to Wifi. I can force a fix by turning off Wifi for about 3-4 minutes, but I have no way of knowing if that is any faster than just waiting for it to fix itself in about that same amount of time. It interrupts my workflow and worst of all my rhythm when grading. Keeping that momentum going is critical for me to get it all done in the limited time we have to turn around grades and provide equitable feedback to each student. As a workaround, when the drop outs occur multiple times during a single grading session, I have moved all my files to a secondary cloud drive in a temporary folder. I finish my grading run from that cloud service without any interruption by lost connections, and then I move the files back into Dropbox to maintain a consistent location for all my student submissions. I do not like having my files in multiple places, even for a short period of time. The risk of forgetting where a set of files is located or ending up with multiple versions on different cloud services in different stages of completion is too great. I started with Dropbox before I added any other cloud storage services to my mix. The vast majority of my prep and grading records are there. It would be a huge project to completely switch all those files over to a different cloud service just because the connection keeps dropping out on the device I use to do my grading markup. I sincerely hope someone can help. If you need additional info, please let me know.
Barry
I’ve been having the same issues. I use Numbers spreadsheet and save files in Dropbox. Initially I never had issues but over the last year or so the program will suddenly freeze or I cannot access Dropbox at all (other clouds are fine). This happens both with iPhone and iPad. Laptop seems ok, but I use my iPad at work.
I did notice a message not that long ago stating that Dropbox may no longer be compatible with new iOS updates. Is that true?
- Megan
Hey there, MissPaulette & CeeViewer, I hope you're doing well!
Great job on the initial troubleshooting, it was on point, I can't lie.
What version of the Dropbox app do you have installed on the devices that face this?
One more thing you can try to do is disable Dropbox as a location within the Files app, and then re-enable it. Once you do that, keep me posted on any updates.
Thank you!
Yes - I have the very same issue with Dropbox dropping out of connection through the files app on my IPad Pro 5th gen (IOS15.4.1). All I can say is that the previous contributors to this thread have described the problem accurately and I have nothing further to add except to add my voice to those that need to get this issue fixed as soon as possible as it is an annoying glitch that causes a significant impact on productivity on the iPad which on the whole is a great tool. It must be a APPLE/Dropbox protocol issue as the stand alone Dropbox app does not experience any dropouts - only through files.
- I have exactly the same issue. Using iPhone 11 with iOS 16 and the latest version of the Dropbox app 304.2.
I can use the files app without any issues with Box, Google Drive and iCloud Drive. It is only the Dropbox integration the problem.
It works well for some time but then all of a sudden it stops working and I’m not able to access my documents using the Files app. I can continue accessing the files through the Dropbox app but not with the Files app (or through Numbers, Keynotes and Pages).
This is a real problem since most of the iOS files integration works through the Files app.
The issue has become more recurrent lately that I’m considering now ditching Dropbox for another cloud service.
I have tried toggle on/toggle off Dropbox in the files app without success. I have restarted my phone. That works sometimes but the issue comes back.
I have also deleted and reinstalled the Dropbox app. That has worked for a day or two and then the issue comes back.
Also when there is a new update to the app the issue resolves as soon as I update it but then it comes back after a day or so.
I can’t understand why Dropbox has not solved this issue after so long.I'm also experiencing this issue in Dropbox 304.2 on my iPhone 14 running iOS 16.
Restarting my iPhone restores Dropbox integration for a while.
If any Dropboxers read this post, please reach out to me via e-mail. Thanks.
- Hannah
Hey Toa_Of_Justice, before we reach out to you, can you let us know if you've tried any troubleshooting steps other than restarting your device?
Have you cleared the Dropbox app cache from the app's settings?
Have you also tried uninstalling the app, restarting the device and reinstalling it?
Just keep in mind that if you uninstall it and you have more than 3 devices connected to your account, you won't be able to sign back in after you reinstall.
Let me know how it goes and we'll take it from there.
- Sure you can Megan
This is going on since very long: Dropbox Files.app integration sucks, it freezes and crashes frequently as soon as I try to download or upload files (via Files.app). I can’t rely on Dropbox storage anymore this way.
If nothing changes I'll migrate everything to competitors. This is really too much.
I finally had to move my files to google drive. I couldn’t get work done any longer. I still have a Dropbox account because my wife hasn’t moved yet, and I check on this problem from time to time and it still occurs. For what it’s worth, dropbox support contacted me that same as they are you. I got escalated to tier 2. I sent them videos showing what happens. It happens on EVERY file integration as you know, but I just picked one as an example. The tech immediately blamed the other application and closed the ticket. Hope you have better luck but I wouldn’t count on it.
skifanatech I'm gonna give them 30 day to solve this, otherwise I'll move everything to OneDrive.
I really can't work anymore if Dropbox app/sync doesn't work as expected.
- Walter
Hey Architetto D., sorry to hear you're having issues with this.
Can you please clarify the type of files you're noticing this happen with? Are you perhaps referring to the issue you had reported back in January posted here?
Any additional information is more than welcome!
Hi Walter
This really happens with every kind of file now, it's clearly a background sync issue.
Yes, I'm referring to the same issue I reported back in January and in 2020 also. We're now in 2023 and nothing changed. I now self imposed 30 days to see if this is going to be solved or not, if not I'm sorry but I'll leave Dropbox services.
And here's a screenshot of what happens when it drops out:
- JayHi Dmkiz, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try uninstalling the app, rebooting the device, and re-installing it to see if this helps?
Keep me updated with any progress!Unfortunately that didn't solve the problem. I just got the same thing again:
- JayIt sounds like there might be a connection issue with the Dropbox site.
Do you have any proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?
I have the same problems with my iPad and iPhone. The solution seems to be uninstalling Dropbox and installing it again. I use dropbox a lot trough iPhone and iPad and it just ruins my work day with all the stops. It’s a beautiful process when it works but it just takes a toll when it freezes.
I have had this problem for well over a year. Always hoping an update or a new iOS will fix it, but now its been numerous dropbox updates and a couple iOS updates and nothing seems to help.
