Save to Device on android phone - Single file vs multiple files

[vpteng88]

I am on Google Pixel 4. I want to download more than 5 photos at a time; However, they don't show up on Gallery app - Google Photos, Instagram and Messenger. I checked Folder app. They are still there. But for a single file, I downloaded one and it showed up.

I have been trying to solve this issue for 3 years but nothing works. I have to download one photo by one. It's really tiring.

Single file - (3 dots) > Export > Save to Device > Downloads folder
Multiple files - select photos > (3 dots on the right top) > Save to Device > Downloads folder

P.S. I have already contacted Dropbox support but it seems not to succeed. So I was asked to create this discussion.

[Lusil]

Hey @vpteng88, welcome to the Dropbox Community. 

I'd be more than happy to see how I can help from my end, but I'll need just a bit more info. For example:

• Are you trying to export directly to another third party app or your internal storage?
• Are you getting any error messages? 

Any screenshots (without personal info) that you could include would be very helpful. Thanks!

[hungau]

It's been 2 years for me and I'm also having this issue. I thought it would be fixed by now. it's when you download dropbox images onto your local phone image folder and it doesnt show up, but it will after you do a phone restart, it's very annoying. Please dropbox support, don't ask specific questions about it, take and andriod phone and try it for yourself, that's all you would need to do. Mine is one a samsung galaxy phone, but it seems like it's just an andriod thing if it's happening on the Pixel phone too.

[Fiona]

Thanks for sharing your experience @hungau. 

I reproduced exporting multiple files from the Dropbox app and my files exported successfully. If you haven't already, please reinstall the Dropbox mobile app. No worries, this will not affect your Dropbox files in any way. 

Note When processes  with any app on your phone fail, you need to check the following: 

• Having available storage space in the device for updates to go through. 
• Having enough battery. Usually things don't work right when you are below 20%. 
• Make sure that all your apps are up to date. 
• Switch from data to Wifi to see if you are having a connection issue.

Ping me if you need more help.  Cheers! 

[vpteng88]

@Lusil
Two questions: No. Exporting only one image to other app works. Multiple images can't.

See the screenshots. There is no "Share" or "Export" when multiple images are selected.

[vpteng88]

@hungau Agreed with you! I used to have Samsung phone as a temporary phone. The same issue still happens.

You mentioned you do a phone restart. I haven't tried to do that before. You're right. It's annoying.

[vpteng88]

• Having available storage space in the device for updates to go through. 
• Having enough battery. Usually things don't work right when you are below 20%. 
• Make sure that all your apps are up to date. 
• Switch from data to Wifi to see if you are having a connection issue.

@Fiona Of course, I always follow these but there is still an issue.

• Please take an old Android phone (Not iPhone)
• try to export selected images (more than 5)
• check images on Instagram app for yourself.

[Fiona]

Thanks for walking me through the steps you are taking @vpteng88. 

I now understand you need your files uploaded to instagram. We are missing a step here fro this to be done. 

Exporting the files from Dropbox should work. Then after exporting the files to your Android, you will need to find the pics in your device and upload them to instagram manually. There is no option to do this automatically, as we are not integrated with instagram. 

I hope this clarifies things. Let me know in you have any questions. Thanks! 

Have a nice weekend. 

[TBartley]

People have been posting this error for years and to this day Dropbox staff still don't seem to understand what problem people are having (I've had this issue personally for 2+ years) so I've made a video to show what's happening.

Basically when you individually export files they show up ready to post on Instagram as the most recent photo saved on your device but when you batch export photos they don't. They're probably on the phone somewhere lost within 1000's of other photos but don't show up like an individually exported photo does.

I've posted about this in the forum multiple times and never got a resolution so hopefully this helps.

https://youtu.be/idkzgHTibCU