Camera Upload strips location data

I've just done another test - if I bluetooth the photo from the Android to the iPhone and then let Dropbox on the iPhone upload it - the GPS data is there.

So I'm pretty sure it's Dropbox losing it. I can't find any settings within the app to enable/disable or change the setting.

Nancy

Hi @Skipper26, thanks for posting to our Community!

Is this the first time that you are missing location data when uploading files automatically from your Android?

Also, what is the app version of Dropbox on your phone and the version of the OS you’re using?

If you manually upload the files to the app from your Android, can you see their location data perhaps?

Keep me posted!

Yes it's the first time we're having problems, but it's also a newly setup device and a newly setup Dropbox - so it's also never worked before.

Dropbox Version 254.2.2

Android is still 8.1

If I upload a photo via the + icon in Dropbox and then download it through the browser the GPS data is OK.

The same photo synced to my desktop via the app does not have the GPS data.

Ah! I think the problem may be Smart Sync!

I've just tried converting the Camera Uploads folder to "Local" not "Online Only" and the data appears to be there.

Is there a way to get Smart Sync to work with Exif data? (and, more worryingly, is there a chance that using Smart Sync puts EXIF data at risk if a file is modified)

Jay

Hi @Skipper26, online-only files do not contain any data on them, as they are a placeholder file, and this would be the same for any file that is online-only.

This would mean that there's no EXIF data on them, until the file is opened locally, or marked as local.

Thanks for the clarification Jay!

The files don't seem to have the EXIF data even after I've loaded them, however. Only setting the parent folder to "Local" seems to work. I've not tried making one individual file "Local" (rather than just loading it).

Should the EXIF data be available after loading too, or only when smart-sync is disabled for that file/directory?

Jay

When you load a file, by opening an online-only file, it will always make the file local to view it on the machine.

Once it's local, you should be able to view the EXIF data since the full file is on the computer.

Just a note: I cannot see the EXIF data on the "Online Only" file after I've loaded it.

That's probably not a problem for me though, thanks for the advice above - I'll have a play next time I'm working on this project.

I've always had this problem.

I'm trying to locate an area in France where I took a photo - but once I open the online only file (using explorer) and it dowloads, the GPS data is gone.

😞

Hi @merlin-eng, happy Monday!

How did you upload the files initially? Did you also use the camera uploads feature, as the OP mentioned above?

If so, when you open your Dropbox app on your phone, and check for info there, are you able to see the correct location?

Let me know more!

Well - I didn't realise there was a little info icon when you opened a photo using the phone app.

And yes - the location info is there (shows a pin on the map as you will know already) - which is great news (not been stripped out in otherwords) - I did think it was odd - as Dropbox would have to edit the files to strip out the exif data, and I couldn't see that being a thing.

So - if I open that file in explorer (in the dropbox folder) - should it download it with the location data?

Thanks

Tony

Hey @merlin-eng, thanks for the speedy response!

How do you check for the GPS data of the files? Do you right click on the file, and then select 'Properties"?

Yeah (and details) to show the metatags.

Right ok - I've just learned something.

I never, ever, click the 'make available offline' option on a file.

If I open a file, it downloads it anyway (that was my understanding) - Am I mistaken? (and then makes it cloud only again if it's not used for a while?)

Making it available offline has indeed brought through the GPS data.

Hannah

Hey @merlin-eng, sorry to jump in here.

I'm happy to see that you were able to see the location info of the photo after switching it to available offline.

Do you mean that just by double-clicking on the file and opening it, you don't see the location metadata, but if you manually switch it to "available offline", they show up?

If so, what kind of sync icon does the file have in each case?

Would you mind sending us a couple of screenshots of them?

Hi Hanna

I didn't believe it myself at first - so I've just checked again.

Going to one of my photo folders in explorer (so the path in my case is C:\Users\tony1705\Dropbox\Family Photos\2019\2019-07) and double clicking one of the photos obviously attempts to open it (it's an offline photo with a white cloud in a grey circle) - downloads it, and displays it.

I look at the properties, and no location data is shown.

Once I've done this, I only get the option to make it an online photo if I right click (and we have a green tick at this point) - so it thinks it is a fully fledged local (offline) file.

So - to prove it - I right clicked the photo next to it - which is still showing as offline only (grey cloud) - and made it available offline (downloaded obviously) - then the cloud turns into a green tick as per normal.

Look at the properties - and GPS data is shown.

Very odd behaviour.

I'll create some screenshots today (when I can as I'm at work).

And just to extend on that.

I look at the properties of a photo that doesn't show the GPS - make it online (cloud) photo only - then make it available offline again (without doing anything else at all) - so a process of only a few seconds - and the GPS data is now shown in the properties.

🤷‍♂️

Thanks - Tony.

Hey @merlin-eng, feel free to send me some screenshots of what you described too.

It'd be helpful to have a visual of this. Thanks!

Ok - here it comes ladies...

I've numbered the screenshots in order of event.

Hopefully it makes sense.

In a nutshell - If I make available offline, I get full data - If I right-click and mark it as online only, then open it (which downloads it obviously) - the GPS data is missing.

I can do this at will - simply by marking it as online only again, then making it available offline - the GPS data returns. It's very strange - as I'm sure the file itself isn't being meddled with...

Well - I'd do this if I could see how to upload the photos... the Camera icon above this message pops up a window asking for a source and dimensions - but I can't seem to put anything useful in the source field - any clues?

Hannah

Hey @merlin-eng, I'm afraid that the screenshots never got uploaded with your reply.

Would you mind trying once more from the camera icon?

I know - I couldn't see how to do it???

(I put that in my message)

Pressing the camera button just asked you some questions about source and size, but gives no indication about what it is expecting as the source...

Walter

Hey @merlin-eng, sorry to jump in here, but could you maybe try another browser and let us know if you get any different results when trying to attach a screenshot to your reply?

Hi Walter - browser makes no difference.

Since I can't show you - what should happen when I click on the camera icon (just above where I'm typing now)?

Thanks

Tony

Walter

You should be getting a new window within your reply to add a file to your response, Tony.

May I ask if you're on a mobile device or a desktop one?

Desktop - I do get a pop up window.

It asks me for the source, and a couple of other fields (dimensions).

But, with no indication of what I'm supposed to put there - is it drag and drop?

I can create the image outline - but can't get content in it - this was an attempt at copying a link to a file on my system (hoping it would upload) - but alas no.

Pinarello

Ok - after all that it's just cut and paste... 🤷‍♂️

The camera icon appears to be a red herring - in that you can't insert an image that way, only edit one.

I'll upload them now.

1. Folder - all 'cloud' - i.e. none downloaded:

2. Right Click - Properties and Details - without opening:

3. Double left click the image - which gets downloaded (kind of) and opened.

4. Right Click - properties and details - no GPS info:

5. Right Click and make Online only:

6. Right Click and make available offline:

7. Right Click - properties and details - GPS data now shown

And I can flick back and forth at will by marking it offline or online.

Apologies for describing my actions in too much detail - just want to make it obvious.

Hi @merlin-eng, amazing job on the screenshots, thanks for that.

Since you can see the GPS info when you right click, and then make the files available offline I would suggest that you stick with that course of action for now. This could be closely related to another similar thread, that you can find here.

If you need anything else, I am always at your service.