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Forum Discussion
Where are "available offline" Dropbox files and folders stored on Android devices?
I know this question has been asked a million times (I've googled it), but I still can't find where my offline files are stored on my phone. I've looked in SD card>Android>data>com.dropbox.android>files, but it's empty. However, in the Dropbox app, I've marked a file as "Available offline", it shows the little green icon on the right indicating that it's been downloaded, and I can open it. So where is it?
The reason I ask is that I want to be able to play MP3 files in a music player (either Google Play Music or VLC), I don't want to have to open each MP3 individually in Dropbox to play it. But I have to tell VLC where the folder is that contains the MP3 files. Seems very simple, but I haven't been able to figure it out. Am I the only one having this problem? It doesn't seem like such a strange thing to request.
Thanks for the update David K.124!
First off all, note that making a file “Available offline” makes a local copy of your file within our mobile app. The file can be then viewed offline and will sync with Dropbox. If any changes are made to the file while you are offline, the changes will be synced once your device is connected to Wi-Fi.
On Android, you can make a file “Available offline” by following these steps:
- Open the Dropbox app and navigate to the file you want to make available for offline access.
- Tap the arrow to the right of the file name
- Toggle the switch next to “Available offline” on (green).You can find out where all of the files you have made available offline by tapping the menu button and selecting “Offline files” to open the folder.
Could you try exporting the MP3 file from the Offline Files or Home view now and let me know if this persists? You should be able to see "export" option for MP3 files as well after pressing the ellipsis button (...) so if this is still not happening please send me a screenshot so I can have a visual of this as well.
Thanks for your patience and cooperation again David. Please let me know if this worked for you.
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey David K.124 - how are you today?
I am sorry to hear about the confusion this has caused and I'll try to clear this up now.
First off, your offline files are stored in the app’s cache folder - this is why you weren't able to locate them in your SD card. On your Android device, you can access these files using a third-party file viewer. You can also preview these files in the Dropbox app and open them with any third-party app that supports its file type.
Moreover, if you want to export a file to your external SD card simply follow these steps:
- Tap the Quick Action button to the right of the filename
- Scroll down and tap “Export”
- Tap “Save to device”
-
Select your external SD card*
-
If you do not see your external SD card listed, while you are in the “Save to” menu (after tapping “Save to device”), tap “Menu” then “Settings” and then select “Display advanced devices”. You will then see your external SD card show up as an export location.
You should be able to access and use the (MP3) file as you wish located in your mobile normally now.
I hope this helps and let me know if you need anything else!
I don't see them in the cache folder (SD card>Android>data>com.dropbox.android>cache) either. (Dropbox seems to be using the SD card, not the internal memory. There is a cache folder on the SD card, but it's empty.)
Does it depend which version of Android I'm on? I have a Samsung Note 8, with Android 8.0.0. I uninstalled and downloaded the latest version of Dropbox (92.2.6) earlier today.
I can copy the files to some other directory, as you suggest, but it would be much more convenient if I didn't have to. And it seems to defeat the purpose of Dropbox, in a way, and also wastes some space, since I now have two copies of every file that I download from Dropbox
Also, I don't see any "Export" option in Dropbox, just "Share", "Star", "Rename", "Copy", "Move" and "Delete". I do see "Export" for other types of files, though, but not MP3 files. Have they disabled the "Export" option for audio files?
Update: I also have Dropbox installed on my tablet, but it's an older version, 92.2.4. It still displays "Export" beside MP3 files. So it looks like they removed that option in 92.2.5 or 92.2.6. Why?
I have to wonder what benefit, if any, there is to installing the Dropbox app on my phone or tablet. It's easier just to transfer files the old school way, via USB cable.
- I cannot find the files>scratch folder anymore within the com.dropbox folder. Manual file opening is much needed to avoid using microsoft office integration (in my case). I have bad experience with office integration. It save but did not upload the changes to dropbox account eventhough i have press "save" button. Theres also no upload notification if using office integration and results in total lost 20+ pages of document in one blink. We need the old manual file opening because the only reliable apps is dropbox itself.
- Daphne
Hey there Zul Keith Lee!
Since you have a similar question to the OP here, please have a look at this thread for some more info.
Hope this helps!
- What is the folder name of the local location on Andriod, for files made available offline?
It doesn't appear to be com.dropbox.android- MeganHi guyinthetie, happy Friday!
I've merged your question into this thread since it seems to echo what others have expressed.
Feel free to take a look at what has already been suggested, and let me know if you have any questions.
