If I can create unlimited folders & sub folders, why is there a pathway limit of 260 characters?

Question

I’ve been using dropbox pretty much since it launched, and 2023 is the first time i’ve started to encounter this issue of pathway characters being too long.

I have always used dropbox as an extension of the way I think, which is to have my work set out in easy to identify folders, and sub folders.

I’ve never had this naming convention pathway problem come up before, and it’s only been in 2023 that this has suddenly started to happen on what seems like a daily basis.

I pay a lot to have dropbox because it’s always been my safety net, and allowed me to safely store and share documents.

Why is this now coming up now when it’s never been a problem before and I haven’t changed how I use dropbox across the years.

It is so frustrating that I have to download the dropbox file I want to share or access to either my device or my icloud account in order to access and share it.

If this is going to remain a problem then I will be forced to rethink my upcoming very expensive renewal and look at other options.

This needs to be fixed.

I haven’t changed how I use dropbox across my decade+ timeframe, but dropbox has changed and is no longer fit for purpose in 2023 if this is going to remain a problem.

MissSqueaky · Answer

Hi Hannah,

Yes!

That’s definitely my problem! I’ve taken screenshots today of what I get when I try to insert a file from dropbox into an email via the Apple files app.

I knew something had altered and that it didn’t have anything to do with how I used dropbox.

Now what?

It’s interesting to note that contrary to the asserted 260 character constraint, apple actually say the character limit is 8096 characters.

I absolutely do not have any files in a pathway over 8096 characters…far out…that’d be a a short story novella 😂😂😂

What’s the solution, if any? Does this mean it’s on a list of issues to deal with?

Thank you for sharing that info about the update. I saw that there was info on how to find out if the update was available for the desktop dropbox on Mac OS but is there anything about mobile app update?

My biggest issue is when using my ipads and iphone, particularly in circumstances when I have to be able to rely on my devices to send urgent legal documents without all the drama of having to save files to my icloud account just to create a workaround that is so frustrating and hit and miss.

Thanks xx

Hannah · Answer

Hey @MissSqueaky, sorry to jump in here.

Did you perhaps notice if this started happening after this update?

MissSqueaky · Answer

Hi Megan,

Thank you for your response.

I think this might be an issue with how Apple is interacting with Dropbox now that I have had some time to think about this, especially given your reply.

The problem happens any time I try to insert a file attachment into an email, or some other source, and in order to access the file I now have no option but to use the apple folders app which links to dropbox.

This is a problem I’ve only noticed this year, and I suspect it might be a coding issue with Apple which I’ve experienced before a long time ago.

Apple flags code for deletion several years in advance (from my past experience of this issue) and if apps don’t keep abreast of these deletions it can stop something from working.

I was one of 800 mac users in Australia who had modems (when the world was amazed by the speed of the new ISDN) and I was the one who notified Telstra of the issue and got them to send out new modems to all of us.

I don’t tend to have this issue on my macbook air, just mobile devices that are forced to go through the Apple folders app to access their online documents.

I think Apple are forcing us into a situation that doesn’t quite work now…it’s broken but I don’t know how to fix it.

I can tell you that I have not changed how I use dropbox since I began using it, and my filing system is all over the place and has been for years.

Does this make sense?

I’m using the mac mail app on all devices, and I’m up to date with all updates.

It’s happening across every ipad, phone.

I have multiple ipad pros of varying ages, including a fairly new one. All experience the same issue and have the same forced attachment of files process through the Apple folder app.

I used to be able to access dropbox directly to attach a file, but I can’t recall when it changed.