Forum Discussion

Marcus D.9's avatar
Marcus D.9
Explorer | Level 4
11 years ago
Solved

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.

Mobile
Third Party Integrations
  • Tomáš P.2's avatar
    Tomáš P.2
    9 years ago

    Just noticed today that there's a new button in Dropbox settings saying Clear cache. So hopefully the problem is now resolved :-)

107 Replies

Replies have been turned off for this discussion
Show More
  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    8 years ago
    Hi Herma, thanks for updating us on the matter! 
     
    If you’d like, let us know in your next post here how you were able to resolve your concern or mark as a solution the post that did the trick. :sunglasses:
     
    Cheers!
  • Herma's avatar
    Herma
    Helpful | Level 5
    8 years ago

    That's the (stupid) question! How can i mark the post that gave the solution to my problem! 

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    8 years ago

    Hey Herma, thanks for your swift reply! If already logged into the Forum, at the end of each post, you should see the following:

     

    When you find the post that's the solution to your concern, just click on the green "Accept as Solution". Hope this helps! :upside_down:

  • Herma's avatar
    Herma
    Helpful | Level 5
    8 years ago

    Hmmmm, that's strange! I don't see that option. Do i have the wrong glasses......:sunglasses:?


    see my print screen.

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    8 years ago
    Hey Herma, thanks for getting back to me on this! I can see that you aren’t able to check the “Accept as Solution” from the attached screenshot - so if you’re seeing the wrong image, then I have the wrong glasses on too. :laughing: 
     
    Could you try switching browsers & see if that makes a difference? If that doesn’t work, try using incognito/private browsing mode, & check that you’re not running with any extensions.
     
    Let me know how it works out for you. Cheers! 
  • RamS57's avatar
    RamS57
    New member | Level 2
    8 years ago

    I just tried this and found out that clearing the cache in the app and restarting the iPhone does not solve the problem. Te app is still not freeing up unused memory. I have zero offline files in dropbox app and yet the app is still using 467MB of my phone memory.

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    8 years ago
    Sorry to hear that, RamS57. 
     
    Have you also tried signing out and back into the mobile app after clearing the cache?
     
    If that doesn’t work, how about a reinstallation of the app? Maybe that will do the trick. 
     
    Let me know how it goes!
     
     
    [This thread is now closed by moderators due to inactivity. If you're experiencing a similar behavior, feel free to start a new discussion in the Dropbox Community here.]

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!