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Why can't I upload files in the background on the iOS Dropbox mobile app?

Hi there,

photo upload from Dropbox iOs app to my Dropbox

1.) only 400 photos "clickable"

2.) more of an issue: once im not in the app or lock mode (iphone) photos/videos wont upload. when will this finally change? i mean google maps also runs in the background and can navigate and up/download data?

thanks, matt

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Jay

Hi @Seneca_83, thanks for providing these details!

Do you have the background app refresh enabled for the Dropbox mobile app in your iOS settings?

This will help me to assist further!

Seneca_83

yes

or where exactly do you mean?

Megan

Hey @Seneca_83, let me also jump in here!

Background App Refresh allows apps to download new content in the background, ensuring they are updated when opened.

You can check if it is enabled via Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

You also mentioned that only 400 pictures are "clickable". Would you be able to share some additional info with me about this?

While we're at it, please feel free to clarify the OS you're using, along with the Dropbox version that you have installed on your device. Thanks!

Seneca_83

we talk about iphone app, right?
I dont have settings - general (in German also not)
and yeah, you can max. mark 400 photos/videos for an upload from Dropbox iphone app to Dropbox. very annoying.
and yeah, i always have to have screen on (no lock mode) and no use of other apps.
can you fix that?

Seneca_83

(background refresh within iPhone Generall settings is switched on, yes)

Megan

Hey @Seneca_83!

Keep in mind that camera uploads on iOS devices no longer use location services to keep the Dropbox app active in the background. You can see more about this here.

As for selecting your images to upload, keep in mind that you could always choose our camera uploads feature. Instead of manually uploading them by selecting each one of them.

Seneca_83

- i want manual upload monthly. so why is that 400 photos limited?
- and here GPT answer to background. guess it wont work for me then. pretty annoying I guess..

Short answer:

Dropbox background uploads on iOS are limited by Apple, not by your settings or by Dropbox being “broken”.

Explanation:

Dropbox does support background camera uploads on iOS, and millions of photos are uploaded this way. However, iOS does not allow third-party apps to run continuously in the background. Apps can only request short background execution windows, typically 30 seconds to a few minutes, depending on factors like charging state and whether the phone is actively used.

Dropbox also does not get notified immediately when new photos are taken. It must wait until iOS grants background time to check for new images and upload them. This background time is sporadic and often happens when the phone is idle or not in use, to save battery.

This is why it looks like uploads only happen when you open the Dropbox app. When you launch the app, iOS allows it to run freely, so uploads start immediately. Background App Refresh being enabled does not guarantee continuous uploading.

Important takeaway:

Background uploads work, but not reliably or continuously
Locking the phone or switching apps can pause uploads at any time
This is expected behavior on iOS, not a bug
If you need uploads to happen immediately, you must keep the Dropbox app open

Dropbox has confirmed this is the best possible behavior under current iOS limitations.

Megan

Hey @Seneca_83!

400 is indeed the manual upload limit that you can use unless you're using camera uploads. You can read more about that here.

In any case, I'll forward your feedback to the appropriate areas so we can continue to improve.

If you need something else, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help every step of the way.

Seneca_83

that would be nice to forward that because i think 400 photos/videos is a joke and i dont understand why its limited? thanks