Halo, I'm Andi, iOS dev. I found an issue when creating files to Dropbox, through "Files" in iPhone. When I save my file to Dropbox from my app, sometimes that file will be duplicated. When I click save button, and then check to my Dropbox app, my file will be duplicated with additional number ...(1). For example, like this: I thought this problem was coming from my app but after I checked again I thought it was coming from Dropbox behavior. Because when I try to manually copy from my local iPhone to Dropbox via "Files", I find the same behavior, my file duplicated. Why it's happened? why Dropbox duplicates my file? Is there any explanation? Thank you.

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Dropbox duplicates a file when copy from iPhone Files app to Dropbox. Why?

Andika Scofield

Halo,

I'm Andi, iOS dev.

I found an issue when creating files to Dropbox, through "Files" in iPhone.

When I save my file to Dropbox from my app, sometimes that file will be duplicated.

MicrosoftTeams-image (115).png

When I click save button, and then check to my Dropbox app, my file will be duplicated with additional number ...(1).

For example, like this:

MicrosoftTeams-image (113).png

I thought this problem was coming from my app but after I checked again I thought it was coming from Dropbox behavior.

Because when I try to manually copy from my local iPhone to Dropbox via "Files", I find the same behavior, my file duplicated.

Why it's happened? why Dropbox duplicates my file?
Is there any explanation?

Thank you.

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Megan

Hi @Andika Scofield, let's jump into this!

How long has this been happening for? Can you also clarify the version of the Dropbox app that you're using on your end?

Also, just to make sure I understood this correctly: are the files duplicated both in Dropbox and your Files app? Does this happen with all of your files?

If you could walk me through the steps you follow when trying to upload your files, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks a bunch!

Andika Scofield

How long has this been happening for? Can you also clarify the version of the Dropbox app that you're using on your end?

> I think for around 2 weeks I found this issue. Currently I'm using version 338.2.2.

Also, just to make sure I understood this correctly: are the files duplicated both in Dropbox and your Files app? Does this happen with all of your files?

>Yes, my files duplicated both in Dropbox and in Files app.

This is the screenshot:

dropbox issue.PNG

If you could walk me through the steps you follow when trying to upload your files, I'd appreciate it.

> Here's the steps:

1. Steps when I found the issue through my app (my app is creating pdf file)

This is step after process creating pdf, then select destination folder.

saving to dropbox.PNG

2. Manually copy from my local folder

When I check by manually copy, I found same issue, here's the steps:

copy manually to dropbox.PNG

This issue not 100% happen, but I'm not sure how many percent from my trial.

That's all, thank you for your cooperation.

Megan

Hi @Andika Scofield, thanks for the screenshots!

Does this happen with a specific file type, or each and every file you choose to copy on your end?

Have you tried accessing your Files app, and choosing to disable Dropbox as a Location there, and then re-enable it? Also, have you updated to the latest OS 16.6?

Andika Scofield

So far, I found in jpeg, pdf, and docx.

Not yet to check by re-enable Dropbox location. Currently I'm using iOS 16.5 and iOS 15.x.

Is there any effect from Dropbox setting? or maybe other condition from my iPhone?

Megan

Hi @Andika Scofield, can you try to re-enable your Dropbox location, and then restart your device, just to check if the same behavior happens then?

Andika Scofield

@Megan thank you for your advice, this issue no longer occur.

Andika Scofield

hallo @Megan

Yesterday I found again this issue, even when I re-enable and restart my device. What should I do?

I have a related question about Dropbox showing up in the Files app, since when did Dropbox support the Files app on the iPhone?

Jay

Hi @Andika Scofield, Dropbox has supported the Files app since it was introduced. The behavior you're experiencing seems to be a device or app-related matter, since no other users are reporting this.

As you're creating an app, are you linking to the Dropbox API? Should I move this post to the API forum for the team there to assist?

FlyingDutch7

For sure there are more Dropbox users with excactly the same issue, found this issue too last week and it is frustrating because of the bigger harddisk storage i need.

Hannah

Hey @FlyingDutch7, can you confirm if you see the same issue, when manually uploading the file to the Dropbox app, using the + button?

FlyingDutch7

Hello Hannah, than the file is uploaded as 4MB .JPG iso the duplicated 8MB. Why is That? What is happening

Hannah

Is that after copying from Files or after a manual upload?

FlyingDutch7

Manual upload

Megan

Hi @FlyingDutch7, sorry to jump in here!

Can you also clarify your OS the the Dropbox version you're using, please?

FlyingDutch7

344.2.4
IOS 16.6

FlyingDutch7

Good morning drobox staff, i have to apologize that i put my issue in the wrong discussion of this community forum. My reply in this discussion belongs to “Picture Uploads from iPhone to Dropbox (file size varies). Is it possible to continue this in that discussion?

Hannah

Hey @FlyingDutch7, unfortunately, the thread you're referring to is closed to new replies, so it cannot be replied to.

Can you give us more info about your issue here?

FlyingDutch7

The photo uploaded to Dropbox from IPhone is 2 x the size bigger as the original but in the meantime i suppose to know whats going on. It has something to do with Live Photos which are not saved as Live Photo but only 1 image. I’m almost sure that is the issue. So the next question is, what can i do to save it as a Live Photo?

Jay

Hi @FlyingDutch7, you can upload Live Photos by going into the Dropbox mobile app settings > Camera Uploads > Videos, and enable the 2 second video option.

FlyingDutch7

Can’t find this option, can you check this statement for me please? “Dropbox mobile app settings > Camera Uploads > Videos, and enable the 2 second video option.”
App version is 344.2.4

Megan

Hi @FlyingDutch7, if you go to the camera uploads settings and tap on 'upload from', do you not see 'live photos' as an option?

Can you also attach a screenshot of what you're seeing on the camera uploads > videos option?

FlyingDutch7

I have now Selected the Live Photos in iso camerarol but no 2 second video option Jay said. And how can i upload the screenshot in this forum? This is what i did before but the live photo then becomes a standard .jpg photo

Megan

If you could simply upload some .jpg here, that'd be amazing @FlyingDutch7.

Did the files upload after selecting the Live Photos?

FlyingDutch7

Live Photos are uploaded but result is a static .jpg image and not a 2 second live photo (video). How can i upload a .jpg in this forum?

Walter

Hey @FlyingDutch7, sorry to jump in here, but I just wanted to mention that you can upload a screenshot via the camera icon (insert photos) option within your reply's box.

FlyingDutch7

There is NO camera icon (insert photos) option within the reply's box. Tap my finger on the screen also nothing

Walter

If you're on a mobile device, you can try requesting the desktop version of the site to see the button @FlyingDutch7

FlyingDutch7

This is a Live Photo uploaded to dropbox as static .jpg image iso 2 second movement as a video should look like.

Megan

Hi @FlyingDutch7, I hope you're doing well!

Apologies here, we just double checked with our Team, and the upload of live photos is not an option at this time. We'll share updates on this when available.

Thank you!

abrech-mt

It's 2024 - and we are having this issue as well.