What does the uploaded field in get_upload_info represent

tingting4751

Hi,

I noticed that the Dropbox web UI calls an internal endpoint: https://www.dropbox.com/2/files/get_upload_info

The response contains two fields:

{

  "display_name": "tester",

  "uploaded": "2026-05-16T21:47:38Z"

}

I understand this is not part of the public API, but I'd like to understand what the uploaded field represents exactly. Specifically:

• Does it record the time the file was first uploaded?
• Or does it update every time the file is overwritten/re-uploaded?

Is there any official explanation for this field? And is there an equivalent field available in the public API?

Thanks!

Здравко

Hi @tingting4751,

As you noted, this is not officially supported Dropbox API and so it's unlikely you receive official response.

About "Does it record the time the file was first uploaded?"; Yes that's correct.

About "does it update every time the file is overwritten/re-uploaded?"; As seems you don't understand that your question here is ambiguous!
There are different ways a file to be "overwritten/re-uploaded" and the correct answer is different in every particular situation. If, for instance, you update your file (something that happens using some simple application like simple plain text editor) then you're uploading the same file anew and discussed here time won't change. In other case you may replace the file with new one (typically when office applications are in use), you're uploading entirely new file in the same place/path and that's why discussed time will change accordingly (the old file is gone; new file is here)!

Public Dropbox API doesn't have equivalent method unfortunately. In metadata there you may find "server_modified" time (last update time as seen by the Dropbox server) and "client_modified" time (as declared by uploading application - either official Dropbox application or some third party application).

I hope this helps.