Dropbox app android won't upload till app is opened

[Paul K.11]

Hello,

With my samsung S9 running on android 8.0.0 my dropbox app only uploads the pictures when I open the app.

Before it was uploading always.

[Walter]

Hey there Paul ( @Paul K.11) - how are you today?

It sounds like you the issue you are experiencing my be due to a setting in your Dropbox app. To ensure that everything is optimally configured can you please follow these steps and let me know what you find?  On Android:

• Open the Dropbox app
• Tap the menu
• Tap Settings
• Then under Camera uploads tap 'When to upload'
• Check it is not set to 'Only while phone is charging' 

If this does not resolve this issue please let me know Paul. Thanks! 

PS: Also make sure you're running our latest version of the app ( currently 108.2.2 for Android users).

[Paul K.11]

Hello Walter,

Thanks for your quick reply!

This setting is set to higher then 10% of battery.

And the strange thing is I just have to open the app and then is starts uploading.

To me it looks like the power saving from samsung is killing the app. But I disabled this on my phone, but without succes.

The app version installed is 106.2.2, this is the last version I can find.

[Walter · Accepted solution]

Sorry to hear this persists Paul. 

This actually may be related to a feature on newer Samsung OS versions called App Optimization. It is designed to freeze applications that are deemed to be untouched by the user and may interfere with some background services. You may find this setting by:

1. Go to your system (not our app's ) settings.
2. Tap on Battery (found under System category)
3. Find App optimization section and tap on detail
4. Find Dropbox in the list and tap on it
5. Change the option to "Disabled for"
6. Your system should no longer freeze Dropbox now.

Let me know what you find please. 

[pr0llie]

Waiter's answer here is correct for most instances of this issue. However, for many/most Samsung phones, you need to go through the "Device Maintenace" category to find battery and and other optimization settings. I figured this might be useful information for those not very familiar with Samsungs Android settings, or those whom do not enjoy trawling through settings, looking for the right one.

[Paul K.11]

I did find it. But thanks anyway.

[Paul K.11]

My phone still freezes the Dropbox app. I also had the same problem with my s7

[Walter]

Sorry to hear about this @Paul K.11! 

Can you clarify if you're experiencing any crashes when our app freezes and confirm that you're on the latest version for Android users - currently 122.2? 

[NathDM]

I am having the same issue with my Samsung S8. I already changed the settings so that Dropbox can use as much battery as it likes but still no difference. If you open the app and your phone is active (light on) than it syncs the files. As soon as the screen turns black or you close the app, it stops uploading the files. Very frustrating 😞 

[Paul K.11]

Yes, for me it is the same. It's not the app that crashes. But it just stops uploading till you activate it again. Also changed all the battery settings, but no difference.