Child Item

I can't find my backed up computer files, when I check the mobile app on my iPad.

Device
iPad Air
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
Windows 11
Dropbox App Version/Browser Version
N/A

Question or Issue
I cannot view any of my PC files on my iPad that I backed-up to Dropbox from my computer. How can I view files from my PC on my iPad? On the Dropbox app on my iPad it says that my computer is one of the devices, but there is no way to see my computer files on my iPad. I am getting frustrated and ready to sign up for iDrive again. I could access my PC files much more easily using iDrive than Dropbox. I'd appreciate any help with this issue.

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Comments

Walter

Hey @Christine_25 - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

When you say the files you backed up to Dropbox, are you referring to the Dropbox Backup feature or the files you've copied or moved into your Dropbox folder on your Windows computer which you'd expect to sync across your devices normally?

Are you able to see your files through a web browser on both of your devices?

Any additional information or screenshots are more than welcome!

Christine_25

I opened my Dropbox account on the browser on my iPad and it is only showing me the folders from my iPad. I can't see any folders from my PC.

I'm very confused. Are there two separate things that I need to do in order to sync and backup my files? When I had iDrive, it automatically backed up and stored the files on my computer once I installed it on my computer. There was nothing else I needed to do. I then installed the iDrive app on my tablet and could access all of my files from my desktop computer. I thought that Dropbox would be easier to use than iDrive. What steps do I need to take in order to view the folders on my iPad that are from my computer? I haven't found directions on what I need to do. Do I need to manually backup and sync everything on my computer? Are the backup and synced files in separate accounts? Are there no automatic backup and sync settings in Dropbox?

Megan

Hey @Christine_25, let's jump right into this!

When you download and install the desktop app on your computer, a Dropbox folder is created locally with syncing properties.

The folder serves as a "mirror" since it syncs to your computer any files you've added to your account online, and vice versa. Is this what you're doing on your end? In other words, are the folders you're referring to visible inside the Dropbox folder on your PC?

If you add a file inside your local Dropbox folder, can you see it when you visit your account online?

Because there's a feature called Dropbox Backup, as mentioned by Walter, which backs up certain key computer folders. You can also check your Backup page online, to see if you've enabled it. Essentially I'm trying to understand where the files are located inside your PC, in order to troubleshoot further.

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there.

Christine_25

Thank you.

Christine_25

@Megan Thank you for your reply and for your help. I have the desktop app on my computer. When I click on the Dropbox folder on my computer, I can see files listed from my tablet and the files on my computer.

When I visit my account online, it only lists the files on my tablet. I don't see any files that are on my computer. What do I need to do so the files from my computer can be seen in my Dropbox account online and on my tablet?

The other week I found the Dropbox Backup and selected folders on my computer to backup. I can see those folders on the Backup page online. Do I need to manually backup my folders or will Dropbox periodically back them up?

Megan

Hey @Christine_25!

Would you mind clarifying which app version you currently have installed on your computer, along with the app's syncing status? You can find both by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon in your taskbar next to your WiFi.

Feel free to send me a couple of screenshots of what you see in your local Dropbox folder, and what your iPad shows, in order for me to have a visual too.

Lastly, in regards to the Dropbox Backup: if you have enabled the feature, then it'll automatically back up your files, and any changes made to them.

Christine_25

@Megan I have Dropbox version 231.4.5770

I attached screenshots from my iPad and from my computer.

Walter

Thanks for the screenshots and the additional information too, Christine.

Based on your screenshots it seems that you're logged into the same Dropbox account on both devices which means that you should be seeing the same set of files and folders on both devices.

Have you made sure that the Dropbox desktop app on your computer is 'up to date' and not still syncing?

Also, can you take a look at your backups page and let me know if the files you're looking for are listed there?

Christine_25

Today I checked to see what files were on the Dropbox app on my computer and it still only has the files from my iPad. There are no files from my computer listed in the app.

The files on my computer are listed on the backups page.

Nancy

Hi from me too, @Christine_25. Can you clarify the current syncing status of the desktop app on your computer?

Christine_25

It says it's "up to date" on the Dropbox Icon on my computer.

Megan

Hey @Christine_25!

When using our current Backup feature, then you wouldn't see your PC folders inside your Dropbox folder.

They should back up to Dropbox from their default location as normal, and no further action is required. So, if you need to access them all you'd have to do is locate them in your computer. Can you try that?

Christine_25

I'm not sure if I understand what you're asking me to try. Are you asking me to locate my computer files in my Windows Directory on my computer?

Also, what is the purpose of the Dropbox folder if there is a backup feature? It sounds like they are two separate things and I'm not quite sure about the differences between the two.

Walter

The Dropbox folder is a special folder that is created when you install the Dropbox desktop app on your computer @Christine_25

All the files you copy or move into your Dropbox folder will be synced across our connected devices and the website as well.

When it comes to the Dropbox Backup feature, it's different than syncing and you should be able to access your backed up files in your backups page on all of your devices.

I hope this clarifies and let us know if you have any follow up questions.