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Forum Discussion
Photo backup on iPhone isn’t working - alternating between files
I am on the latest iOS and Dropbox for my iPhone 13. Dropbox 324.2 and iOS 16.4.1
I noticed that it was going forth between 5 and 4 photos left. There is plenty of room in dropbox. Nothing has been uploaded.
I followed the instructions mentioned here https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Storage-Space/Photo-backup-on-iPhone-isn-t-working/td-p/515471 for clearing the cache and rebooting. Still have the same issue and it won't give it up.
Problem also exists backing up via cellular.
Problem also persists after full delete and reinstallation of Dropbox on iPhone.
DropBox was OK until today. Now, when I ask it to upload new photos it just loops with "Backing up..." "1", very briefly says "All done backing up", and then back to "Backing up..". This repeats indefinitely. If I take the photo in the Apple app and "Share" it with DropBox to the Camera Uploads folder it uploads but with the "IMG..." filename and not the usual date/time filename. Have tried re-starting the iPad, re-installing DropBox etc. Happens whether I have one new image or several (with several it's saying "Backing up... 9" etc. DropBox version 324.2.2. Basic account. Space used 34.2% of 6 GB. Backup: New photos only. Internet connection fine.
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hi David Edinburgh, thanks for posting here today!
Does this happen when you try to manually upload content, by clicking on the + sign, or when you use camera uploads?
Have you also tried clearing the app's cache, in the app's settings? Lastly, do you have enough available space both in your Dropbox account, and in your device?
If I were you, I'd also switch to cellular data, just to see if it makes any difference.
Let me know more!
Thanks for your reply.
- this only happens with automatic camera uploads. If I select Files, Upload and add the photos manually it appears to work correctly, except that the file names have "photo" (IIRC) and a time/date name rather than the plain date/time format from automatic upload.
- I reinstalled DropBox on the iPad which I hoped would clear the cache. Tested and it makes no difference.
- Tried cellular and it's just the same.
- Space is adequate on both the device and DropBox account.
On thing I've noticed is that the network upload from that device seems very much higher during this looping upload, as if the upload has gone to the network but not been acknowledged correctly, so the upload is repeated endlessly. This was all OK until a day or two back.
David
- Same problem for me!
Same for me, alternating between 27 and 28 to upload after installing new version on iPhone and iPad.
- Megan
Hi urbanracer34, let's jump right into this!
You mentioned that the app is backing 4-5 photos left. Can you clarify if you're using camera uploads on your end, or manual uploads?
Do you have enough available space on the device too? Provided that you're referring to camera uploads, have you tried turning them off, and then on again?
Keep me posted!
Hello Megan!
I am using Camera Uploads on my end, not manually.
Devices have plenty of room on them. I have turned on and off Camera Uploads to no effect.
Same problem here. I already spend 2 days to try to solve the problem.
Dropbox, solve this issue ASAP please.i have the same issue since today: auto-upload stuck, nothing helped.
This is really poor service from Dropbox. I use this App for work and this is costing a lot of time and money. Very disappointed.
- I am experiencing the very, very same issue! The issue started today. Yesterday, April 13, 2023 everything worked perfectly. It is only today April 14, 2023 that automatic camera uploads has stopped working. I pretty much tried what everyone else did; restarting, my iPhone, using cellular data, and reinstalling the Dropbox app. Nothing works.
Up until today I have been able to automatically back up photos from my MAC, my iPhone and my iPad to Dropbox. Today it stopped working. I have tried signing out of Dropbox on all devices and I have double checked all settings are as before and as required. HELP!!!!!
I have exactly the same problem today, on two iPhones XS Max (two different accounts), each linked respectively with one iPad and one iPad Pro, and all of them are stuck. I tried deleting the most recent pictures, so that the synchronisation would stop. Then cleared the cash, then logged of Dropbox, then uninstalled the apps, then rebooted the iPhone, then reinstalled Dropbox, re-logged in, took a simple test picture and... stuck again trying to upload the test picture. Bummer. Hope Dropbox finds the glitch in the space time continuum and delivers us an updated app promptly.
I had to reboot to solve it, but now I got everything double as he is uploading all photo's of the last month again.
So THANKS for dropbox to NOT really solve this issue. I can over hundreds of photo's and delete all the double.
But at least it is working again.
When i start dropbox the camera upload options goes in loop.
iPhone 12 - IOS 16.4.1
I have the same problem on my ipad air.
There are 2 photos to upload: the messages on the dropbox app is: there are 2 fotos to upload, there are 1 fotos to upload, there are 2 fotos to upload, there are 1 foto to upload, and so on ....
My Dropbox on iPhone hasn't synced properly today. First, the number went up and down between 14 and 15. Then after a redownload, the number stayed at 10. On the third try after updating the iPhone software, the number went up and down between 4 and 5. Even though there were 13 photos (and no video) need to be uploaded.
Some options I have tried but failed:
Changed wifi network
Used 5G network
Signed out then signed back in on the Dropbox iPhone app
Redownloaded dropbox app
Updated the latest iPhone software
Restarted my MacPro
Please help!
Same problem here !
iPhone 13, running 16.3.1
Camera uploads was working just fine - then the dropbox App UPDATED while im process of uploading photos.
Now new photos are not uploading - says scanning, then 'backing up x photos' then back to scanning, then same x number photos, and it just goes back and forth like that forever.
I have DELETED the app, reinstalled - took over 1 hour to scan photos again - all previously backed up ones still present, but NEW ONES STILL GET STUCK IN this infinite LOOP of never actually uploading.
Changing wifi networks doesn't help; phone connected to charger doesn't help. Delete and reinstall app doesn't help
The 2nd biggest reason I even USE dropbox is for the camera uploads function and now it's broken.
I have checked everywhere for a stray setting - anything. Not sure what the most recent iphone app upgrade "improved", but it has broken my camera uploads ...
Any other places to check on???thanks
