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Iphone doesn't sync with computer

I use the free DropBox version to track hobby purchases. I update an Excel file on my PC to indicate the items I have purchased and have DropBox installed on my iPhone and my iPad. I seem to have always had sync issues and have ended up buying items, basing purchase decisions on the DropBox file found on my iPhone, that I already had and had indicated on my PC file. I have two questions before doing away with DropBox:

1- why doesn't my iPhone file sync with the file on my computer;

2- why does the desktop DropBox app eventually change into a simple folder that looks like this:

My thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me.

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Jay

Hi @Jeff267, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

If you upload a new file to the Dropbox site directly, does that file appear on both the desktop and mobile app?

This will help me to assist further!

Jeff267

Thanks Jay,
I clicked on the link you provided, then clicked on upload and then selected the appropriate file. I received an "Upload successful" message. However, when I go on my iPhone, I still have a previous version of the file?

Jay

Is your phone connected to a stable WiFi network? Are you using cellular data at all?

Have you tried completely rebooting the device?

Jeff267

Yesterday, the file on my phone was accessed through a cellular connection and today through my wifi connection. In both cases I was accessing an older version of the file.

Jeff267

I also rebooted the phone and do not have the latest version of the file.

Jay

If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try uninstalling the app, rebooting the device, and re-installing it to see if this helps?

Jeff267

I am on the Dropbox Basic Plan (the free one), with PC, iPad and iPhone connected. Would the uninstalling of the app be on the device that is not updating (i.e., the iPhone)?

Jay

Yes, that would be correct, you'd be uninstalling the app on the device which isn't syncing.

Jeff267

I did not uninstall the Dropbox app, but the files on my iPad and iPhone are now updated. Does that mean every time I update a file that resides on Dropbox I have to go to the he Dropbox site and do the "Upload" operation?

Jay

No, that was just a test to see if the phone and desktop were able to detect changes on your account in general.

Updating files from your computer directly would then sync to the site, and then to the phone.

Jeff267

OK, thanks Jay. So what do I do next to make sure all three devices sync automatically without having to do the "Upload" operation?

Jay

There shouldn't be anything else to try, since it should happen automatically. Without knowing what is causing the mobile app to not update, there isn't any way to determine the cause.

This is why I suggested uninstalling it completely and reinstalling it, to try to clear any data which could be affecting the sync to the site.

Jeff267

OK, thanks Jay. I will keep an eye on it and uninstall / reinstall the app on my phone as a last try if I notice it not updating. Last question ... why does the desktop app turn into a folder that looks like this?

Jay

It might depend on the settings for the OS itself on how to show a shortcut to a folder. It should still work to open the Dropbox folder itself.

Jeff267

It opens the Dropbox folder, but not the app. I updated a file on my computer a couple of hours ago and just checked ... it still shows the old file on both my iPhone and iPad. I think I am going to have to move away from Dropbox ....