I want to clear all the Recent file list, there has no clear function please advise how to clear the list.Thanks & regards
Swe Tin
I just can't believe that Dropbox so reputed and useful has turned into vagabond role as not to listen to its customers. It has acted as even to goon as it has managed mobile phone companies to install Dropbox as default app. Sheer mighty entity which has turned into moron which could be saviour. God bless.
I found the method described by Hernán T. to work here as well.
It's a shame that Dropbox has stopped listening to customers.
Just want to say that I will be moving all of my files to a different cloud storage because I am unhappy that the Recents tab cannot be removed completely. I disabled this on Windows and I should be able to disable it completely from Dropbox.
I don't really understand how DB can say that they are not ignoring their users: you only have to look at the dates - this thread started in June 2015 (10 months ago) and the thread on actually turning off the Recent Files feature (https://www.dropboxforum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/204363916-Turn-Off-Recent-Files-Feature) started in November 2015 (6 months ago). How long should we, as users, leave it before we expect to see some action?
The thread I referenced above has been closed, ostensibly as it pertains to the website, and we're now referred to this thread. However, this thread is entitled "How to clear Recent file list..." so is not an obvious place if you're searching for turning off the recent feature. Closing the other thread also conveniently means that users cannot add to it.
I've joined Jessie M and others, and moved my files to Google Drive - just keeping the small area that I need for shared files for the time being. I used to run an ftp server for my customers, which has not been reinstated, and I had been looking at using Dropbox for business instead - but no longer.
I'm genuinely sad about this, as I used to like Dropbox, and with the exception of this unwanted feature, I would still prefer it.
I agree with the bulk of these comments. This is an important privacy issue and relative easy issue to resolve. I have iOS devices that I share with my children or co-workers as do millions of your target and current users.
Dropbox advertises itself as a secure place to store files. This "feature" exposes users to a serious privacy risk for documents. These obviously include photos and financial documents and your un-optional feature exposes your users to significant risks. Imagine a parent unknowingly or accidentally exposing their child to a intimate photo of a spouse or a situation where a co-worker is shoulder surfing while a file is being opened and sees a legal document or a personal financial statement.
These are nightmare scenarios that could easily be avoided by simply making the preview section optional in settings. There is an ethical reason to do it and a business reason as well. More customers, less liability.
this thread started way back last year and it's still not fixed?!Are you really paying those stupid people in your development team when they can't even resolve such an easy fix?!! I am really disappointed in dropbox for such a ridiculous shortage on privacy!
Dear Dropbox: I have been a loyal fee paying customer for over 7 years.
If you don't fix this Recent history (i.e. either an option to remove it or at a minimum to clear it), I am moving on. G Drive is offering a very compelling promo.
Please fix -- how hard is this and so many customers have flagged this as a serious and important issue!
You are either too lazy or you don't care, but either way it doesn't matter. Customers vote with their feet.
The clock is ticking for me...
I feel very similar to Edward. I too have been a loyal customer for a number of years. I would inherently prefer to stay with Dropbox rather than move all my files and cancel my next subscription renewal. The issue Dropbox recently had with access from certain tablets/mobiles, which they fixed fairly quickly, still meant for a short period of time, I had to find a work-around which inevitably meant using a competitor and it wasn't that difficult to set up and transfer the odd file.
I wish Dropbox could articulate where the Recent history issue sits on their priority list. I am hoping that it is high on the list? But with limited communication back from Dropbox, I am beginning to fear it might not even be on the list!
Another user here who will NOT be paying dropbox any money until this 'feature' is fixed or removed. Since Dropbox seems unwilling to respond to this, users are have little option but to vote with their wallets.
As was suggested, I also sent a support ticket directly to Dropbox but it didn't seem to matter so I guess we just all have to do what we have to do. What a shame, really. Here is the transcript:
Lars, May 3, 9:29 AM:Hi Tom,Thank you for this feedback. While I cannot currently offer a workaround or verify whether or not we intend to implement such a feature, I will make sure your comments are passed along to our development team. We are always looking for user input when creating the next version of the Dropbox app.Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or issues.Regards,Lars________________________________________
Tom C., May 2, 9:04 AM:Hello:I posted this on the forums about 2 months ago and see that this has still not been addressed. I have been a paying customer for years and would like to know how to correct recent files from appearing when logging in. If this is not corrected, I unfortunately will need to switch providers, which is a shame because I have been very satisfied with dropbox up until now. Thank you. My original post:
This is really a poorly designed feature and my problem is compounded by the fact that I am an attorney (I've heard all the jokes, thank you). I work on confidential, personal and sometimes very graphic things (police crime scene photos, autopsy photos, reports, etc...) I also use dropbox to save personal photos of my family. MORE THAN ONCE my wife has complained about logging in to see a family photo or vid, only to have her (and on some occasions, the kids) see a thumbnail of a dead body (or worse). This should be an absolute no-brainer for privacy and common sense reasons.Device: dropbox.com
Hi dropbox. I love everything about dropbox. U guys did an amazing job. However the "recent" list does not clear n it contains alot of my private files. I will no longer be using drop box bc of this. Why put "recent" files w.o a function to turn off? It feels un trust worthy. An absolute security blunder. Take care. PEACE.
I notice that this topic has been renamed from "How to clear Recent file list in mobile apps" to "How to Clear or Remove the Recent file list in mobile apps" - which is interesting as Remove is what seems to be wanted, but is not possible.
The number of customers saying that they are moving away seems to be gathering pace - I wonder if this will be their Waterloo moment...
I notice that this topic has been renamed
I did that, a couple of times actually. This topic has evolved quite a bit since it was first started (when it was called How to clear Recent file list in Apple mobile apps) and now covers more than just clearing the list, or Apple devices. Since it's being used as the main location to discuss these issues on mobile devices, I renamed it to better identify the topic.
This is a big privacy issue for me. I am having a tough time using DropBox as every time I open it every file I've viewed, or deleted is shown! And what's worse, it's the FIRST page that's shown. Everything I deleted is prominently displayed every time I open the app or website. Horrible choice DropBox!
I need to be able to control what is my home/default page, and what events I want recorded in recents, and whether I want them disabled entirely. I'm using DropBox alternatives right now.
How has this not been addressed yet?
I just got a note from Dropbox that my limit is being reduced because it was a apparently a temporary storage limit from a promotion. When I signed up it was presented as a permanent limit. This after the Recents debacle is definitely the final straw that is pushing me to transfer my files to Google drive. See ya never Dropbox.
I just got a note from Dropbox that my limit is being reduced because it was a apparently a temporary storage limit from a promotion. When I signed up it was presented as a permanent limit.
Bonus space earned through promotions from mobile devices and other purchases (Samsung, HTC, Dell, HP, etc.) have never been advertised as permanent. They all have time limitations which are explained in the terms for each promotion. For example, bonuses earned by purchasing a Samsung device lasted two years.
Made a shortcut to Files on one of my homescreens of my Android and then removed the shortcut. I don't get it, but since then i always land on 'Files' instead of 'Recent' when i open the app itself.
Also after restarting the phone and after doing a wipe cache.
Strange way to adjust the landing page but hey, it works...
Edit: isn't true what I wrote above...
Then I keep using the shortcut to a Dropbox-folder...
Rich R. said: Bonus space earned through promotions from mobile devices and other purchases (Samsung, HTC, Dell, HP, etc.) have never been advertised as permanent. They all have time limitations which are explained in the terms for each promotion. For example, bonuses earned by purchasing a Samsung device lasted two years.
"Bonus space" seems like a silly concept except for people with extremely transient file systems which are replaced before they take up too much room. Anyone who wants decent storage isn't going to want to sign up for space that gets taken away later , forcing the deletion of the user's files. My files are currently being moved to Google drive, an easy drag and drop process, and I get 15 GB without having to so-called "earn" the limit through additional purchases, and it isn't a promotional limit (although they could of course reduce it in future). Dropbox is dropping the ball on this one. Anyway I'm going to unsubscribe from this thread and delete my account after the transfer is complete.
Seriously a security issue and the feature is redundant without the possibility of disabling the 'Recents' tab. Either remove the 'Recents' tab or fix it so that users can disable it as an option!
Is it possible to delete the Dropbox app on my iPhone without affecting the files in my Dropbox, which I access on my desktop? I especially don't want to lose photos that I just uploaded from the phone to the Dropbox on the desktop. I need to clear up space on my phone. I'll reload the app after that, which i've found frees up space. Thank you.
Is it possible to delete the Dropbox app on my iPhone without affecting the files in my Dropbox, which I access on my desktop?
Yes. Uninstalling Dropbox (from any platform) will not delete the files in your account.
I need to clear up space on my phone. I'll reload the app after that, which i've found frees up space.
Yes, that's the only way to clear the cache manually on a mobile device. It will free up that space on its own over time, but if you need it back immediately, just uninstall and reinstall.
Rich R., Thank you for that helpful reply. -- david m.
I find it strange that even after this long a time of people expressing their opinion Dropbox have not bothered to take care of a very valid customer concern. Is there a reason why Dropbox do not want to make recents tab go away? Like so many have said before now, my concern is that there are always photos in the recents tab that I do not want someone looking at. Which is why, even though my app is PIN locked I do not want to open it when someone else is looking. Surely it can not be that difficult to either remove the recents view entirely or to incorporate some sort of toggle option. Unless, of course, Dropbox simply do not want to.
Why won't an official company employee come on this thread and give us an answer? All we have is a volunteer "super user" who doesn't have the authority to say "Yes, we'll fix it" or "No we won't and here's why."
If Dropbox has no intention of making any changes, at least have the guts to make an official statement saying so. But continuing to ignore your customers is no way to run a business.
Guys, the folder shortcut is not a valid workaround for this, and the lack of official reponse is arrogant and even a bit offensive. It's not an unreasonable request, and is clearly one that enough users have requested, over long enough a period, to warrant such an easy change, and if not, at least a valid reason as to why not
Why won't an official company employee come on this thread and give us an answer?
The forums are primarily user-supported. Although a Dropboxer (that's a Dropbox employee) does respond once in a while (and has even done so in this thread already) the majority of the people answering these posts are users like yourself. If you want an official response then you need to open a ticket with Support.
Rich,
Not sure about others, but my oficial support request for this issue ended up in please check out the community forums. Working in IT this is a clear sign to me that Ops/Support is also lacking answers from either management or development ... either way I wasn't going to waste my time more than others here already did. Keep up the good work, don't listen.
Moved my files to Google, photos to Amazon (free as Prime user) and downgraded my account. Simple, done.
This domain (dropboxforum.com) is registered to and sponsored by dropbox.
Yes, it is, for community, i.e. user to user, support. As stated before...
Tickets should really be for personal issues and personal support. For generic issues it is better to address these in fora.
All issues should have a ticket if you want an official response from Dropbox. It is the only official method of contacting Dropbox for support related issues.
that they ignore complaints from the community, and that they don't care at all.
Simply not true. A Dropboxer has already replied to this thread multiple times. You've made your suggestions and they were passed on to the appropriate team(s). That does not guarantee action. When and if Dropbox decides to act on these suggestions is up to them.
Submitting a ticket after dropbox so strongly ignoring the user community is off course pointless.
Again, the community was not ignored. A response was given by a Dropboxer. If you feel opening a ticket is pointless then that is, of course, your opinion, but as stated before, it is the only official method of contacting Dropbox. The forums are a community primarily for user to user support.
Do you get paid for your role???? I honestly don't believe one would do this for charity.
As has been stated in the past, again, Super Users are users just like yourself. We are not part of the Dropbox team nor are we compensated for what we do here. Some of us are Pro users while others are Basic (i.e. free) users. We're no different from everyone else here other than the fact that we have an extensive knowledge of the product and have chosen to help others when we can. It's our way to give back to the community. Dropbox has simply recognized that by giving us the Super User tag. And questions pertaining to this can be directed to the Dropboxer Ed G., by opening a ticket, of course.
