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Forum Discussion
BradHenderson
11 months agoExplorer | Level 4
How to force the Dropbox app to upload changes programatically
Hello,
I am developing an app that will allow an operator to record data at a customers site that may or may not have mobile network coverage. When the operator starts the app it opens the text fi...
- 11 months ago
BradHenderson wrote:...
That works also, however after saving the text file from my app the Dropbox app is not triggered to sync with the cloud. If I go into the Dropbox app, open the Offline folder and open the text file and save it by tapping on the disk icon then it is immediately synced with the cloud. What I was hoping to do was trigger that sync from my app without the employee having to access and open the text file within the Dropbox app.
If this is not possible I guess I will have to look at communicated with the cloud directly using the API.
...
Hi BradHenderson,
The described by you is expected behavior, unfortunately. Dropbox application for mobile devices (including for Android) is designed not to sync but to let user access the content. When particular file/folder is selected to be offline, then something like sync is performed, but unidirectional (only from the cloud to the device, not reverse). Even more, you have some old application version (probably 202.2 or so, or earlier). In recent versions direct access to offline file/folder is forbidden, so keep your old version and don't update it - you'll lose even the unidirectional sync. That's why Nancy cannot understand how is it possible to open such a file. 😉
And yes, Dropbox API integration will let you do more things not restricted to offline files only while working on your application only.
Good luck.
Nancy
Dropbox Staff
Hey Brad! The way this can be done through the Android mobile app is by opening the file from within Dropbox and editing it there, in which case the edits are saved back.
Can you clarify how exactly the file is being opened when you say through an offline folder?
BradHenderson
11 months agoExplorer | Level 4
Hello Nancy,
Thank you for your assistance. When I say opening "through an offline folder", I am opening by copying the file from the Dropbox offline folder, address above, to "/storage/emulated/0" on my tablet. I edit this copy and when complete I copy it back to Dropbox offline folder..
Brad
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