Dropbox only updates when the app is open on my iPhone

[Dorothy D.]

My iPhone used to automatically sync my photos to my Dropbox. Now, unless the Dropbox app is open on my phone, it won't update in the online or computer dropbox. What's going on?

[Rich · Accepted solution]

Apple restricts the amount of time that an app can remain active in the background. I think it's something like 10 minutes. In order to get around that, Dropbox uses a change in your location to trigger the app to "wake up" and continue uploading in the background. If you don't allow Dropbox to have access to your location services, this process can't happen.

When enabling background uploading in Dropbox Settings, it prompts you for access to your location. If you didn't allow this, you'll need to either disable/re-enable it and (I think) it will prompt again, or go into Location Services on your iPhone and enable Dropbox.

[Dorothy D.]

It was an automatic update until now. I never had to wait. The photos just uploaded immediately, regardless of any time limits, etc.

[Mark]

Dropbox itself has never done that (sadly). The only way it did that was if, as Rich said, you moved locations etc.

[Sanchez]

[This thread is now closed. If you have a similar or new question, you can ask here: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/forums/postpage/category-id/101001000]