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Dropbox Staff

9 years ago

Solved

Dropbox app for Android causing high battery usage

Hi there, I’m Antonio, a member of the Dropbox Mobile team. We’ve discovered an incompatibility issue between Dropbox’s app and Android OS that led to higher-than-normal battery usage on Android phon...

Third Party Integrations

weilhuiz
8 years ago
Hi Alan, the main release of v76 will be rolled out 100% on this Wed. v78 will follow 2 weeks after that.
Jay
8 years ago
We’re glad to hear about this. We’d recommend that if any users still experience battery issues to contact our team directly so we can investigate this matter on an individual basis.

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Super User alumni

9 years ago

On the Reply click as below and upload the image:

Collaborator | Level 9

9 years ago

The toolbar has changed! Yesterday the "Photos" button didn't exist I would only allow a link to an image.

The following two images were taken at the same time:

Jane
Dropbox Staff
9 years ago

Hey megawhite,

Thanks for the follow-up and the screenshots provided, much appreciated!

It is my impression that you are using the Camera Uploads feature, which may use up your battery during its very first sync with your account online. Based on your description, you haven't initiated any uploads on your end, though probably background uploading drains your battery in the background. Especially when the case is that you are syncing videos or high-resolution pictures, your phone is continuously active.

If camera Uploads is disabled and there was no Dropbox-related activity on the 7th and 8th of June , please feel free to raise a ticket with our team and let me know here once you have done so, so that I look it up internally.

Kind regards,

JaneA
dbeato
Super User alumni
9 years ago
I would agree with the Auto Sync, Google Drives does the same thing on Android devices.
Wilfried K.
Explorer | Level 4
9 years ago
Since the last update to 50.2.2 the android app drains my battery empty. Only deactivating will help. Before the battery usage was ok, but now it is not. Yesterday deactivating the automatic upload of fotos but it didn't help. My phone is an Samsung Galaxy S5 mini with android 6.0.1.
See the screenshot. So for me at the moment the app is not usable. I have to deactivate it.
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/08rstien1hkixsc/AADbCv3p5dbZoOG-gV15jpU2a
megawhite
Collaborator | Level 9
9 years ago
Hi, I do have camera uploads enabled however the drain will happen even if I have not taken any new photos or video, or changed any files in my Dropbox account.

Whatever the cause is, the problem was not present about 2 months ago. Nothing has changed about my usage, I have been using it for years to sync my camera uploads. Someone has broken something.

I have already raised ticket #5962676.

Thanks,

Andrew
Jane
Dropbox Staff
9 years ago

Hey megawhite,

Thanks for following-up, much appreciated!

I have located your open ticket and have notified my colleague on your comments, they’ll getting back in touch with more details on the case soon!

Hope this gets resolved soon. Wishing you a great week ahead!

Warm regards,

JaneA
Jane
Dropbox Staff
9 years ago
Hey Wilfried K.,

Thanks for posting your comments on the Dropbox Community!

Based on the screenshot, I can see that Dropbox has consumed 14% of your battery. Was that before or after you disabled the Camera Upload feature? Had you uploaded media before disabling Camera Uploads?

Does the issue with battery usage persist when initiating automatic uploads as well?

I’d be glad to go through some troubleshooting steps with you when you give me some more details on the case.

Looking forward to hearing back froom you!

Warm regards,

JaneA
megawhite
Collaborator | Level 9
9 years ago
Hi, camera uploads were enabled and it consumed 14% that day with no new uploads that day since charging the battery.

As of yet I have not tried changing anything camera uploads have always been enabled. I have just charged the phone to 100%. I will monitor for Dropbox sucking the battery and I will try disabling the camera upload feature and see if that changes anything.
Willie
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
It's independent from the settings. This screenshot was taken after 6 hours with disabled camera upload. And no workload on my dropbox. If i enable the camera upload it's a littel more worth 17% or 18% i mean.
laiskudeze
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
The same problem with battery drain in Dropbox 52.2.2
Android 6.0.1
Sony Z3 compact

Please fix it !!! So the app becomes unusable !!! I have a premium acount but can't use it !
megawhite
Collaborator | Level 9
9 years ago
I too can confirm the battery sucking continues even with camera uploads off and zero dropbox file activity. Yesterday my phone reports 15% as per the attached screenshots.

Can the developers repro the issue? Feel free to put me in direct contact, as a developer myself I am willing to help any way I can as I just want to see this issue fixed.

People are noticing their phone battery being sucked and after a dig find it's due to Dropbox. This problem needs to be given some serious focus, it must be affecting millions of users.
Jane
Dropbox Staff
9 years ago
Hey laiskudeze,

I'd be glad to follow-up, welcome to the Dropbox Community!

Would you mind sharing some details regarding the case? Any screenshots of battery usage on specific dates would be greatly appreciated!

megawhite I can see that your open support request have been sent for review to our team specialists. Res assured that you're in safe hands from thi point on, they will get back to you with more information on the issue.

If you have any feedback or additional details that you feel may contribute, please make sure to include them in your message there and tehy'll definitely be addressed.

Thanks,

JaneA
laiskudeze
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
Hello,
It seems that the problem gone ! Drobbox gone from the battery usage list at all :)
megawhite
Collaborator | Level 9
9 years ago
I had an update on my ticket, they said a problem was identified and a change was made to the servers on Friday which should stop the app sucking battery power.
Wilfried K.
Explorer | Level 4
9 years ago
I can confirm this. Yesterday the app was not in the top 10 of my batterie apps. Thanks for the quick solution.

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