Dropbox duplicates a file when copy from iPhone Files app to Dropbox. Why?

[Andika Scofield]

Halo,

I'm Andi, iOS dev.

I found an issue when creating files to Dropbox, through "Files" in iPhone.

When I save my file to Dropbox from my app, sometimes that file will be duplicated.

When I click save button, and then check to my Dropbox app, my file will be duplicated with additional number ...(1).

For example, like this:

I thought this problem was coming from my app but after I checked again I thought it was coming from Dropbox behavior.

Because when I try to manually copy from my local iPhone to Dropbox via "Files", I find the same behavior, my file duplicated.

Why it's happened? why Dropbox duplicates my file? 
Is there any explanation?

Thank you.

[Megan]

Hi @Andika Scofield, let's jump into this! 

How long has this been happening for? Can you also clarify the version of the Dropbox app that you're using on your end? 

Also, just to make sure I understood this correctly: are the files duplicated both in Dropbox and your Files app? Does this happen with all of your files? 

If you could walk me through the steps you follow when trying to upload your files, I'd appreciate it. 

Thanks a bunch!

[Andika Scofield]

How long has this been happening for? Can you also clarify the version of the Dropbox app that you're using on your end? 

> I think for around 2 weeks I found this issue. Currently I'm using version 338.2.2.

Also, just to make sure I understood this correctly: are the files duplicated both in Dropbox and your Files app? Does this happen with all of your files? 

>Yes, my files duplicated both in Dropbox and in Files app.

    This is the screenshot:

If you could walk me through the steps you follow when trying to upload your files, I'd appreciate it. 

> Here's the steps:

1. Steps when I found the issue through my app (my app is creating pdf file)

This is step after process creating pdf, then select destination folder.

2. Manually copy from my local folder

When I check by manually copy, I found same issue, here's the steps:

This issue not 100% happen, but I'm not sure how many percent from my trial.

That's all, thank you for your cooperation.

[Megan]

Hi @Andika Scofield, thanks for the screenshots! 

Does this happen with a specific file type, or each and every file you choose to copy on your end? 

Have you tried accessing your Files app, and choosing to disable Dropbox as a Location there, and then re-enable it? Also, have you updated to the latest OS 16.6? 

[Andika Scofield]

So far, I found in jpeg, pdf, and docx.

Not yet to check by re-enable Dropbox location. Currently I'm using iOS 16.5 and iOS 15.x.

Is there any effect from Dropbox setting? or maybe other condition from my iPhone?

[Megan]

Hi @Andika Scofield, can you try to re-enable your Dropbox location, and then restart your device, just to check if the same behavior happens then?

[Andika Scofield]

@Megan thank you for your advice, this issue no longer occur.

[Andika Scofield]

hallo @Megan 

Yesterday I found again this issue, even when I re-enable and restart my device. What should I do?

I have a related question about Dropbox showing up in the Files app, since when did Dropbox support the Files app on the iPhone?

[Jay]

Hi @Andika Scofield, Dropbox has supported the Files app since it was introduced. The behavior you're experiencing seems to be a device or app-related matter, since no other users are reporting this. 

As you're creating an app, are you linking to the Dropbox API? Should I move this post to the API forum for the team there to assist?

[FlyingDutch7]

For sure there are more Dropbox users with excactly the same issue, found this issue too last week and it is frustrating because of the bigger harddisk storage i need.