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JuanHerrero's avatar
JuanHerrero
Helpful | Level 6
6 years ago

What does 'refresh to update' on my offline files mean? How can I do it?

I have a number of folders set as "Make available offline" on my iPad. Generally this works fine, but sometimes I get the yellow exclamation mark icon and "Refresh to update".  Can someone please tell me what "Refresh to update" means - there is no refresh button and no refresh option in the menu. What am I supposed to do??? 

  • I just find out that for dropbox version 142.2, you can refresh by going to Account --> Manage Offline Files --> on the top right hand coner, there is a refresh logo.

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hi there JuanHerrero
     
    Initially, I wanted to mention what the different icons mean when you make a folder or file offline:
    • Green icon: Your offline files are up to date.
    • Blue syncing icon: Your files are currently downloading to your device.
    • Yellow exclamation point icon: There is a newer version of your folder available. 
    In general, when you’ve ensure that you’re connected through a data or WiFi network, the files should automatically update for you. 
     
    If this doesn’t occur or you’re not seeing any relevant option, could you please attach a screenshot (without any personal info) in your next reply?
     
    Thanks in advance!
    • JuanHerrero's avatar
      JuanHerrero
      Helpful | Level 6

      My question is... When it says "Refresh to update", what am I supposed to do?  How do I refresh?  Everything is connected OK (I used Dropbox to transfer the attached pic from iPad to PC).

      • JuanHerrero's avatar
        JuanHerrero
        Helpful | Level 6

        If I kill the app, and then reload it, the yellow icons become blue for a few seconds and display the message "Determining which...", and then go yellow again.

    • DB_Is_Broken's avatar
      DB_Is_Broken
      Helpful | Level 5

      Lusil, this has been a problem for many people including myself for a long time now.

      You all over at Dropbox have enough info from all the complaints.  You know this is a problem

      You have a feature that people are paying for that is not working.

      Fix it, or just flat out tell people that Dropbox has made a consious business descision to no longer support this feature and stop wasting people's time.

      • Pan054's avatar
        Pan054
        Helpful | Level 6

        Don’t think anyone is listening anymore and the local files situation is only getting worse with the constant download of unchanged files.  

        I'm now testing OneDrive and so far the local copies seem to work as expected, but it is ealy days yet. The upload is as slow, if not slower, than DB (yes, that IS possible). I haven't tested synching or customer support, but I'll keep this forum informed of my findings.

        If OD works as expected, I'll exercise the only right that seems to be left to DB customers: walk.

    • dret's avatar
      dret
      New member | Level 2
      terrible UI/UX, folks! this would be soooooo easy to improve.
  • dret's avatar
    dret
    New member | Level 2
    also, amazingly bad support by the dropbox team.
  • TechnoAmeoba's avatar
    TechnoAmeoba
    New member | Level 2

    Making files available offline worked perfectly on my iPad Pro, but I had this issue with exactly the same folders/subfolders/files on my iPhone 7.

    The download stalled after so many folders/files were completed, and would not refresh or re-start, for days.

    22 files remaining.

    Eventually I chose to 'Remove from Device', the whole containing folder, and immediately reselected to 'Make available offline'.

    The remaining files then downloaded and my file collection is now complete and available offline.

    I hope this might help.

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