How to Clear or Remove the Recent file list in mobile apps

@All. Dropbox really does not care nor acknowledge the design errors we all address here. They rarely look at this forum and hire people to censor on their behalf.

Dropbox do not care at all about their user community and the proof is simple: Nothing will change..... 

You are stuck with the recent files, the odd viewers and the silly file sharing (where the file is not shared but access granted).

Plan B is to migrate to box.net, onedrive, google drive or any other company with slightly more customer affinity.

I'm also looking to clear recently viewed files. For pivacy reasons I don't wish people to see what files I have in my Dropbox. I was sat on a train and had my iPad Pro on then realised the lady next to me could see the list and although only thumb nails it contained certain photos ;) 

Dropbox team. I have been a happy user for over 5 years along with the growth of your company strictly as a file sharing service. This 'recents' default page stinks of big brother. Why are deleted files appearing here? Why does the user not have control over his own documents? I've just been placed in a highly personal difficult situation by opening Dropbox on my chromecast in front of family expecting as usual to open to my folders page, only to have a list of VERY private notes on the decline of my very elderly mothers mental health I'd been keeping elsewhere on my device displayed for her to see on this recent files list! Also to find out that deleted files from elsewhere are displayed here, that I cannot clear the list, and that this is now the default opening page, and that I cannot change that either, is all wrong on  so  many levels. Dropbox used to be a safe place for the user to choose which files were placed in our Dropbox for our personal security and filesharing, along with one public folder. Where the user chose what and how to share files with who. I think you (Dropbox inc) has done too many deals with major telcos offering free cloud storage and the like, and is now actually preventing us, the end user, from censoring our own files and folders. Why retain and display files we have already deleted, and WHY prevent us from having control over this 'recents' list? You really have created a MAJOR personal drama for me, your customer, by displaying MY private and deleted files from elsewhere on my device to this 'recents' default landing page upon opening your application in a public setting (chromecast), and  without my consent. Please reply to me as to why we do not have control over this recent files landing page. From reading the comments above, not only are you going to lose many customers over this, but you seem to have a reason in doing such as you have, that losing this custom seems not to be a primary issue for you. Again, could this be because you now come pre-installed on new phone contracts with major telcos on free cloud storage deals, so that you can censor the majority without caring for those of us who originally came to you for your initial file sharing capabilities? As you can tell, from one highly distressed former lover of Dropbox! I really hope to elicit a response! Why do you have primary control, and I have secondary control over MY personal property? My documents ARE my personal and private property aren't they? Or is there some new law, or revised clause where I no longer have sole ownership? I certainly no longer have sole control over my own phone.. I feel my documents have been hijacked by Dropbox! PLEASE reply! 

Hi all, I completely agree with all the frustrations and have been voicing them myself on these discussion boards.

Please see below a link another thread to which a Dropboxer actually responded to complaints. You can view our exchange about the suggested changes to "Recents", improving the forum, and improving Help articles on their website:

• https://www.dropboxforum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/202373329-How-to-clear-the-recent-list-of-file-from-iphone-?flash_digest=9ddf6e3b31f9247b542a5c9b48286c8e68c70fea

There I also posted a temporary workaround to create a shortcut/widget that allows you to load directly into your chosen folder instead of Recents. While this does not solve the issue, it does bypass the Recents page so that you would only see Recents by specifically navigating to it.

Pasted below are the step-by-step instructions on how to create this shortcut which was sent to me as a reply from Dropbox support:

"Thank you for contacting Dropbox. My name is Anthony and I would be happy to assist you with changing the default screen that Dropbox opens to.

In our most recent update, Dropbox has changed what screen opens up by default.

When tapping the Dropbox icon, Dropbox will now open up to the Recents page first. This is working as intended, and cannot be modified by the user.

As a workaround, the Dropbox app offers the ability to create a home screen widget to any folder in your account, including the top-level Dropbox folder.

To create this shortcut:
- Tap and hold an empty spot on the home screen (phones) or tap the All Apps icon on the home screen (tablets)
- Tap “Widgets”
- Tap and hold the “Dropbox Folder” widget, drag it to the desired location on your home screen, and release.
- Upon releasing, you’ll be prompted to “Create shortcut to” the currently selected folder. If you wish to open a different folder, navigate to the preferred folder. Tapping the icon on the new widget will open up to the location that you choose in this step.
- Tap the “Create Shortcut” button.

You can now use this new Dropbox folder icon on your home screen to bypass the Recents view upon opening the Dropbox app.

Thank you for this feedback! We are always looking for user input when creating the next version of the Dropbox app and I will make sure your comments are passed along to our development team."

Again, this is only a workaround and does not solve the inherent issues we've all strongly complained about. While Dropbox has now updated their Help page since I've made the suggestions, they still have not posted the workaround, only sending it to people when they submit support tickets. Seemingly they are reluctant to acknowledge their mistake. Perhaps devs are powerless to address this very simple issue if the Recents "feature" is being championed by one of their execs.

Having been told that whingeing on this forum wouldn't change things I took the advice to contact Dropbox and use their 'marketing-dislike' option and submitted my thoughts on the Recents fiasco. That was on 24th February and they did send me an acknowledgement but no workaround. It is now 9th March so we can expect an update to give us the option of keeping/removing Recents anytime soon.

Well, OK, maybe.

By the way, Box.net seems pretty good.

Hi All

The only reason I believe Dropbox have changed their system to Recent files Is to help them by forcing all of us to USE MORE SPACE quickly and hopfully we will buy more space.   Hope not it would shch a SHAM...... Yes / No

Hi All

The only reason I believe Dropbox have changed their system to Recent files first,  Is to help them by forcing all of us to quickly USE MORE SPACE , then hopfully we will buy more space.   "Hope not"  it would shch a SHAM...... Yes / No

How, exactly, does forcing the Recents tab to display first force you to use more space?

Every file uses space... not as much as photos use 

Farrel L., you clearly don't understand how 'Recents' works.

It just shows you the files that are on your Dropbox already, they would also be on there if there was no 'Recents' screen. So your comment is false.

That said, It's pretty unbelievable how Dropbox fails to listen to it's users and just keeps breaking stuff (awful Recents screen, no more notifications), which are not adressed in their new (beta) releases.