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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 :-)
I'd like to chime in here, I've just had to uninstall and reinstall DropBox on my iPad, to get some much needed storage back. I've been a Pro customer for many years now.
All we need is a clear cache button.
DropBox are you there?
From my 'other' computer (not the iphone) I am right now migrating the Dropbox files over to MS OneDrive using a service called MultCloud.com. Then I will see if a OneDrive app works well on the iphone (because who knows, it may have the same memory hog problem as Dropbox). But if it works better -- I'm Dropping Dropbox.
I've now migrated to OneDrive @ £50 per year, which nets me the 1TB plus all the office suite. Chuffed at the deal and also the upload speed is WAY faster than DropBox ever was. Managed to transfer all 700+gb in under 3 days on my home connex.
This afternoon I deleted the Dropbox app from iPhone after installing the OneDrive app. Now I just need to wait and see if OneDrive accumulates (takes over) the same large amount of memory that Dropbox did. I'll wait a week or two. Worst case I can always reinstall Dropbox. I really like that cloud file transfer app MultCloud.com
I thought the following e-mails between me and Dropbox Customer Support would be interesting to those following this thread.
FROM Me
TO Dropbox
Sep 5, 9:36 AM
Feedback:
There's needs to be a "clear cache" option for iPhone users. Below is my respond to a thread in the community forum.
Clearing Dropbox cache on iPhone
It's discouraging to see a company dedicated to data storage ignoring a key issue like preserving space on iPhones. I'm having the same problem. I have no offline files, yet Dropbox consumes 1.0 GB of my 16 GB iPhone 5S. I've logged out and signed in again, but that did almost nothing to decrease the amount of space used by the app. I too will be looking at other storage options and will cancel my annual Dropbox subscription if this issue is not resolved soon. I don't even see an official response from staff, which is never a good sign.
FROM Dropbox
TO Me
Sep 6, 11:30 AM
Thanks for writing in.
I understand you need to know how to clear cache on your iOS.
The best fix for this is to remove and reinstall the Dropbox app to clear out the settings that are continuing to cause this. Follow the steps listed in the link below to reinstall the application:
https://www.dropbox.com/help/346
Please note that you will have to once again make available offline and download any files that you have previously saved after reinstalling the app.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
FROM Me
TO Dropbox
Sep 9, 6:43 AM
Yes, I've received and reviewed the response. Thank you for getting back to me promptly.
I have not tried the recommended solution yet, but my initial reaction is that this is a very inconvenient approach to an issue that many Dropbox users for iPhone are experiencing (based on what I've read in several online forums).
I am sure you are aware that many other mobile apps that use significant amounts of limited storage have simple ways of allowing the user to clear the cache in order to free up much-needed space. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app is not convenient, particularly when I would like to be able to free up space quickly (and periodically).
Why hasn't Dropbox incorporated a feature to flush the cache when other apps found ways to add the same functionality? And why does no one respond to the official online forum? The lack of transparency on this issue is leading to frustration among many otherwise happy customers.
Again, thank you for your response.
FROM Dropbox
TO Me
Sep 9, 9:02 AM
Thanks for writing back!
I’m happy to explain how app data works for our app, and what you should expect as far as device space is concerned.
Items that you make available offline will take up space until they are removed. The Dropbox app also stores certain items in cache for a quicker loading experience in our app, such as previewing documents, PDFs, and photos. These items are only cached for a certain period of time, and then the app will clear this space automatically (based on when the file was last viewed and the amount of space you have on your device).
Currently, the only way to manually clear the app data being used is by deleting and reinstalling the app. Follow the steps listed in the link below to reinstall the application:
https://www.dropbox.com/help/346
Please note that you will have to once again make available offline and download any files that you have previously saved after reinstalling the app.
We’d like to have you try the steps above and monitor the space that the Dropbox app is using on your device. If you feel that it is too high, please take a screenshot of the Usage page in Settings, and write back to us with that information included.
Please let me know if you have additional questions about this!
Thank you for sparing me any more agony over this problem.
I think Dropbox's answer to uninstall and reinstall just to clear cache is flatly unacceptable.
Time to look elsewhere.
Just noticed today that there's a new button in Dropbox settings saying Clear cache. So hopefully the problem is now resolved :-)
After reading all this i will also look into other cloud services. This is so mediocre!
Your Dropbox has a settings button on the personal icon that has clear cache no need to delete and reinstall this frees up your memory easy check it out
Thanks, the problem was already solved
I actually have a number of apps installed with manual control over clearing the cache. One of them is just a simple wallpaper-downloading app, which has complete control on the cache, including the ability to set a max cache size or clear it altogether. Can't be too terribly difficult for Dropbox to figure out if these other apps have.
I'm seeing the same problem, it just keeps growing and now I have to uninstall just to get the room back... Tumblr had a similar problem but they added a manual way to remove the cache. This need to be addressed, Dropbox.
This is indeed a problem, and it pisses me off. Dropbox may be obnoxious (no more so than any other tech biz I'm sure) or not, but I think this is more a reflection of the issues at Apple about on-phone storage. Apple phones really are the only ones that are so expensive for the storage options. I shouldn't think a single Android user even considers this a problem as they can put hundreds of gigs of storage on their phones cheaply and easily.
I'm a big iOS user and also old enough to realise that this is the same argument people were having about some software being 'bloaty' in the years when HDDs were small... The solution, sadly, is just buy 64GB or 128GB iPhones. Do i want to? No. Will my work provide one? Not readily. But I choose iOS devices - and if you do too, you should be aware of their limitations, as well as those of Dropbox.
