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
How to clear the Dropbox mobile app cache on iPhone/iPad?
Using an iPhone 5C running iOS 9.1 and Dropbox 4.0.4. The iOS Dropbox app itself is only 55.8 MB in size, however my iPhone is reporting that Dropbox is using a total of 300+ MB in Documents and Data. I have zero files marked as "Offline" within the Dropbox app, so the app should not be storing any Documents or Data locally on my iPhone.
I realize the Documents and Data referenced are most likely the result of recent files being cached by the app, but if this is the case, is there any way to manually clear that cache? Or set a limit of cache size? Currently, uninstalling and reinstalling the app is the only solution I've found, which is far from what I'd consider a "solution". I have to uninstall the app, reinstall it, sign in, wait for 2-factor auth code to enter, set up my Passcode again, set up the Camera Upload again...just a horrible overall process just to clear out the cache.
There are other apps which allow you to either set a cache size, or some that include an option to manually clear the cache. Either one of these options would be better than nothing at all.
Just noticed today that there's a new button in Dropbox settings saying Clear cache. So hopefully the problem is now resolved :-)
So...signing off will do the trick.
I guess that is good enough solution for now, my co-worker keeps deleting files from shared folders, all in attempt to free up space in his phone.
In the meanwhile I will be recovering all of the deleted images.Signing out and in again cleared my 1gb cache. It's quite fast so it can be done regularly.
Caveats: your offline files will be lost and you'll get an annoying "a new phone has been connected" email.
Unfortunately I've already discontinued my Pro subscription and switched to OneDrive as their iOS app has a cache clear feature. Not sure how well it works, but at least MS is making an effort. I grew tired of doing battle with lack of free space on my 16GB work issued iPhone.
Months later. Same issue. No solution from Dropbox. Well it's time to drop box for me!
My issues are similar, but my concern is Security related.. I need all dropbox data removed once finished so that there is no chance of it falling in the wrong hands.. No way to clear this Cached Data..?? Really...?? Just one more blinding example of Corporate Mediocrity. (Note: Google Drive though far from perfect does have a simple Clear Cache method in it's settings menu.)
Fu G. November 16, 2015 12:50
"That is for sure a major flaw preventing a serious use of this app: I'm confident it will be fixed soon."HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAA
I'm a very long time Dropbox Pro user, getting ready to leave because they are obviously willfully ignoring lower-end customers… There's far too many usability features missing and very obvious omissions. They are not trying to make this service better, they obviously just don't care.
Dropbox, I can't believe you found a way to make Google and Microsoft look like the more attractive options.
Their employees have a reputation locally here in San Francisco for being particularly obnoxious to the locals, as well. Google Dropbox AND sf AND soccer field.
On the bright side, it's so nice to know I am not alone in this problem! Probably the best advice (for me) is to migrate my Dropbox stuff to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. Because I don't have the patience to uninstall & reinstall the app every week or so AND if the company does not acknowledge the "issue" that so many people have, then it is not a good company.
Really appreciating all these updates. I'm reluctant to part with my dropbox subscription just yet, even though they're clearly abandoning their users, just because I'm grandfathered into an old plan with unlimited file recovery and more storage. But if I keep seeing detailed good reviews of onedrive or other services on here I may be confident enough to make the switch. Please keep on updating us.
@Transcribe O., it's not a matter of having to wait and see if OneDrive is going to accumulate the same amount of memory over a given time. It's going to. That's the nature of any app that accesses data stored on the internet. Look at Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, etc.. They all become bloated with time. The question becomes how well the app manages its own cache and how often it clears its cache (if it does at all).
But to better answer your question, I went ahead and installed OneDrive, logged in, went to Settings, and then went to Account settings. Lo and behold, there's a "Clear Account Cache" button.
That's all Dropbox needs to add as well, and I'm not sure why they haven't. They already have a "Clear Search History" button. Please add "Clear Cache" directly above it. This should not be that difficult.
It's unbelievable that we pay money for this service and still we get no feedback from Dropbox. I just don't use the app anymore, it's time to move on to Amazon, at least they answer to their customers.
