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Forum Discussion

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 tel...
File access
Mobile
Setting up the apps
  • virusthecyrus's avatar
    virusthecyrus
    6 years ago

    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
6 years ago
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
    6 years ago

    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
      6 years ago

      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.

      • Lusil's avatar
        Lusil
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        6 years ago
        Thanks for the swift reply and the screenshot, JuanHerrero. Initially, please note that I removed personal info included in your attached image for security and privacy purposes. 
         
        Moving on to your query though, I was also going to propose to try closing the mobile app (by double-tapping the home button) and relaunching it again. 
         
        :thinking: Hmm, have you tried connecting to a different WiFi network or through cellular data by any chance? 
  • DB_Is_Broken's avatar
    DB_Is_Broken
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    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
      5 years ago

      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.

      • itsmaku's avatar
        itsmaku
        Helpful | Level 6
        5 years ago

        This unnecessary "feature" is bugging me for months, and its never ever works! Wherever I pull refresh, files are still with yellow icon. Im not even sure what I'm paying for :/

        Maybe DropBox should focus on file sync (a.k.a. why people use it ) and not becoming cloud-based-evernote-basecamp-whatever-tool. 

  • dret's avatar
    dret
    New member | Level 2
    5 years ago
    terrible UI/UX, folks! this would be soooooo easy to improve.

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