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Is it possible to view backup files on the mobile app?

Hi, all! I have some old flash drives that I just backed up on my MACBOOK. They appear in DropBox Backups. I can’t figure out how to view the backups in my mobile app. I can see the file names in my mobile app. But, when I click on them, it simply takes me to the general list (camera uploads, documents, etc.) TIA!

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Jay

Hi @trover222, yes, the Backups are visible through the browser only.

Files synced through the normal Dropbox site can be accessed via the mobile app.

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Walter

Hi there @trover222 , thanks for using Dropbox and happy Monday!

Can you please let us know if you're able to access your backups through the website on your mobile device through this page instead of doing it via the app?

Also, in the mobile app, are you able to navigate to those backups from within your folder structure?

If you could also clarify your device's exact OS version and the version of the mobile app installed there, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

trover222

Hi, Walter. Thank you!

1. Yes
2. No. I see some of the files on the app under “recent”, but cannot view them and cannot locate them anywhere else on the app.
3. I’m on an iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.3.1. I can’t seem to locate which version of the mobile DropBox app I’m using. But, it is the straight DropBox app (not DropBox Sign or some other variation) and my apps are all set to update automatically. So, I assume it’s the most recent version.

Thanks, again!

Megan

Hi @trover222, it's actually expected that your Backups and the files you have there would only be available to the link @Walter provided.

If you need to access them, you can find them there. I hope this clarifies!

trover222

Ok. So, I cannot access them through the mobile app and can only access them from the mobile browser? It that only true of backups? Thank you!

Jay

Hi @trover222, yes, the Backups are visible through the browser only.

Files synced through the normal Dropbox site can be accessed via the mobile app.

trover222

Got it. Thanks, everyone!

Jarrod kile

I like the new feature of Dropbox backup for my computer, BUT now I cannot see what is on my computer.

In the past, I keep all my documents and pictures within Dropbox on my mac for ease of online viewing from the app.

The negative of this, was I could delete something with a swipe and not necessarily realize it.

It would be great if you added a button within the Dropbox app for iphones that allows you to VIEW your computer backup but not change anything.

Nancy

Thanks for sharing your feedback on the forum, @Jarrod kile!

What I can suggest as a workaround, in the meantime, is what’s also mentioned above; if you want to access your computer backups via your mobile device, you can log in to your Dropbox account via your mobile browser instead. You should be able to see them there.

mbriney

I agree with Jarrod Kile.. this has made things very troublesome by not allowing everything to be read via the mobile app. I understand the principle of having the major "backups" be in a different segment of dropbox.. but it shouldnt be that hard to access all the files. Maybe inside the regular current Dropbox app, feature a button that allows up to actually open the files that are in this "backups" section? OR maybe create another "Dropbox Backups" app that will allow us to remotely view these backup files without having to go thru the browser?

Walter

Hey @mbriney - thanks for the feedback on this one.

If you'd like to, you can post any feature requests you might have in the Share an Idea area of the Community so that other users can up-vote it and share their own thoughts or use cases as well.

PS: You can find some tips about posting ideas on this page, if needed.

matt235

FYI I've converted the concept proposed by mbriney and jarrod kile into an "idea" which can be upvoted here: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/View-dropbox-backups-on-app/idi-p/762404

Strongly agree with this complaint about the new dropbox backup.

JJ2024

@dbox_It’s been over two years since they offered this feature. Stop using it as a selling feature in your advertising…

"View backups whenever, wherever. Just as you’d expect from Dropbox, you can easily get to your backed-up files anytime, anywhere – from your computer, through our mobile app or on the web." https://www.dropbox.com/en_GB/backup