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Forum Discussion
Jeff047
4 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Sync has stopped working
Hello, I have used Dropbox since about 2016, and have about 250 files created on my PC. Updating files on the PC used to automatically update the files on my mobile phone until I replaced it with a new phone recently. I managed to copy the 250 files (somehow) initially, but they don't ever get updated. Please keep replies simple, as I am 69 and not very tech savvy. I don't think that I use the Dropbox app on my PC - Dropbox just comes up alongside my general files and photos. Any help welcome!
That's good news, this means that the Dropbox account on the site and the account on the computer are linked to each other. This also means you have a second Dropbox account under the other email address which is visible on the Dropbox mobile app.
Since your PC files are the ones you want on the phone, try signing out of the mobile app from the settings, and then sign into the same email you used on the desktop app. Now the correct files will appear there.
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- Jeff0474 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Jay, yes, I use the Dropbox app on my phone. Jeff
- Jay4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try uninstalling the app, rebooting the device, and re-installing it to see if this helps?
- Jeff0474 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Dear Jay,
I deleted the app from my phone, turned it off and on again, then reinstalled it from Google Play. At that point, it was still showing the same out-of-date version of my files. After reinstalling it, I had to get Dropbox.com/connect on my PC, then 'point the phone at the computer and wait'. I pointed it at the Dropbox logo on the PC screen, but nothing seemed to be happening. The current versions of files still haven't come across to my phone.
To clarify, I update my files only on my PC, using the screen which also accesses my documents and pictures, then read the files when I am out and about, on my phone. No other devices are involved, and I have the basic Dropbox.
Any further suggestions would be welcome!
Many thanks, Jeff
- Jay4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Are you certain you're signing into the same account as the one on your main machine?
Does this only occur for PDF files, or any other file you have tried to open?
- Jeff0474 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Thanks for your prompt reply, Jay.
I only have one account. If I open a file on my phone, it appears as a 'recent activity' on the PC, so there is a connection between the two.
I have just copied to Dropbox a photo as a JPG File and a document as Rich Text Format on the PC, and they haven't appeared on the phone.
I have updated an existing RTF file on the PC, but the phone is still showing the old version of the document.
Jeff
- Megan4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Jeff047, can you send us some screenshots of what you mentioned, in order for us to have a visual of this?
- Jeff0474 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Dear Megan,
Thanks for your reply, and your continued help.
I have no idea how to take screenshots; I have never done that before. Could you please give me precise instructions, and how do I then send them?
What do you want screenshots of, exactly?
Jeff
- Megan4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Jeff047!
For your PC, you can press Ctrl + PrtScn keys. The entire screen changes to gray including the open menu. Select Mode, or in earlier versions of Windows, select the arrow next to the New button. Select the kind of snip you want, and then select the area of the screen capture that you want to capture.
The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it directly here, on our Community, when you try to reply back to me.
A few screenshots of the situation you described above, such as what you see on your phone, versus on your device, would be helpful.
- Jeff0474 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Megan,
I'm a bit confused (not difficult!). The difference between my PC and my phone is that the PC has up-to-date versions of my files, and the phone has an older version. I don't see how screenshots wil help. Can you be more specific, please. Thanks.
Jeff
- Jay4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
The reason we require screenshots is to see exactly how a file appears on your desktop and mobile app. Are the modification dates the same in both areas, indicating a change was made?
Is it definitely open in the Dropbox mobile app showing the old version of the file?
Once we have the screenshots, while hiding any personal info, we can look into this in more detail.
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