You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
Can you have files available offline by default on the iOS app?
"We're re-launching the option to choose the default status of synced files in the Dropbox desktop application (in the Preferences > Sync tab) for users of the newer File Provider version. " Is th...
Jay
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHi McTavish, thanks for messaging us.
I move your post to a new thread, since it's related to the mobile app.
As the mobile app is a little different to the desktop app, files aren't directly syncing to or from the app and your account. It's primarily used to preview and upload files, with some editing features.
While there isn't a way for all files to be available offline by default, you can mark files (or folders depending on your plan) as offline so they will be offline in the app.
If you need any more details, feel free to message back!
"While there isn't a way for all files to be available offline by default, you can mark files (or folders depending on your plan) as offline so they will be offline in the app."
When you have hundreds or more files, this isn't highly useful.
"As the mobile app is a little different to the desktop app, files aren't directly syncing to or from the app and your account."
And why not?
Anyway, Jay, thanks for the reply.- Jay
We appreciate the feedback about the offlining of files via the mobile app, and we take all comments into consideration when improving the Dropbox app and services.
Regarding the difference between the desktop and mobile apps, with the desktop app, a Dropbox folder is created and files are directly synced to and from the site via the app, and it acts like a normal folder on your machine, which any program can access.
As the mobile app doesn't create a Dropbox folder on your phone, it doesn't have this ability to sync files directly, nor does it need to since the vast majority of files aren't going to be edited in one go.
"nor does it need to since the vast majority of files aren't going to be edited in one go. "
It is just inconvenient (or worse) not to have access to all of the files all of the time. Have you ever sat for hours in a doctor's waiting room where there is no WiFi and the cellular reception is lousy?
