I’ve been using Dropbox to backup my iPhone and noticed recently it’s been really slow. Last night I went to back it up again but it just said it was starting photo backup, but it still hasn’t found any photos or videos.I’ve restarted the app, my phone and turned off photo backup and left it before trying again, I’ve tried airplane mode with WiFi. I’ve tried using my data, but it’s not finding anything. Or doing anything. I’ve been using Dropbox alongside iCloud and haven’t had any problems until this. I’ve used about 6% of the 2tb storage I’ve got.Any help on this?Thanks

I have this issue too. It’s not working on my ipad nor on my iphone. It keeps telling me that it’s “searching for photos”, but nothing happens...It started around 2-3 days ago, since I received an update for the app.cache cleaning and device restart did not help.

The *only* way to get this new version to sync properly for me is to log out, log in, re-set all the photo backup, background, videos etc etc settings. Then it works until I leave the app (background upload set or not, doesn't matter).When I go back in it after adding a new image, it just says "Starting photo backup. Looking for photos...", but it never actually does anything. Been messing with this off and on since this last update a few days ago. Dropbox team, this is happening to several people here, obviously. I've updated to the latest IOS, rebooted, deleted the app and rebooted and re-installed, turned of every possible option available in Dropbox/Account area, and in settings (except for auto update of the app). Nothing works except logging out. logging in, and then going through all the steps. Yeah, that's not going to be a thing that I'll be doing much longer. So let's focus on this problem, ok? IOS: 14.5iPhone 7 Plus256 Gig, 68 Gig available

Hi I have happily and successfully used dropbox photo back up forever! My iphone 12 Pro iOS 14.5.1 128GB is now not behaving well between Photos and Dropbox camera uploads. Signed in and on opening the Photos tab in the Dropbox app tells me "looking for photos". this is as far as it gets. If I uninstall Dropbox app completely, reinstall, sign in, and then try - it works. But I must stay with the app and keep the screen active. Any change and it goes back to "looking for photos". Then a repeat of the uninstall / reinstall process is required for it to work again. There is no background back up at all. Any advice most welcomed. Many thanks

just an update: the same problems are occurring still, nothing has been fixed. hopefully dropbox get this sorted out soon, Megan, do you know if I could get any money back? its inconvenient when you have to sign in every time you have files to upload. thanks

KerryL28 I'm considering it. I really want dropbox to sort this mess out because when its working properly I really prefer it to other cloud storages. the specialist team just say they're working on it, but obviously there's been several updates since this problem started and its just getting worse. hopefully we can get some money back though

Photo backup on iPhone isn’t working

75 Replies

Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
5 years ago
Hey Em_6, thanks for posting on our Community and happy Friday!

I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with this. Let's have a look now.

Could you please see if clearing the app's cache helps improve matters? To do so:

1. Navigate to the “Personal” tab
2. Tap the gear icon in the upper-left corner of the screen
3. Select “Clear Cache”

Once this is done then please ensure you log out of the Dropbox application, then restart your device and log back in again.

Let me know how it goes!
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
Thanks for your reply that helped, kind of.

It seems to only work slowly now when I log out and back in each time. I have to leave the app open on screen otherwise it stops working and I have to log in and out.

Could this be to do with the latest update?

Thanks
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
Also: when I go to the camera upload folder, it’s going crazy flashing from several months ago, to weeks, to saying it’s empty then something it’s managed today then repeating like that.
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
Anybody?
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled the app and it’s exactly the same. Would really appreciate some advice
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
5 years ago
Hey Em_6, sorry to jump in here, let me ask: does this issue affect all photos and videos, or only some?

Can you include a screenshot of the Camera Uploads settings in the Dropbox app, and also one of the Dropbox permissions settings on your device?

You can find this by opening the “Settings” app on your iPhone, and then tapping “Dropbox.”

Waiting for your reply, cheers!
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
When uploading? All I think. I’ve got so many it’s hard to tell everything has uploaded but I think it has now. Signing in and out isn’t very practical though.

Let me know if the links don’t work, thanks.

https://ibb.co/G9jnJ4c
https://ibb.co/StRsWc3
Ákos M.
Helpful | Level 5
5 years ago
I have this issue too. It’s not working on my ipad nor on my iphone. It keeps telling me that it’s “searching for photos”, but nothing happens...
It started around 2-3 days ago, since I received an update for the app.
cache cleaning and device restart did not help.
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
Ákos M. , glad it’s not just me. Please let me know if yours gets sorted, I haven’t gotten any further with it myself
Em_6
Collaborator | Level 8
5 years ago
Walter & Megan I didn’t tag you so idk if you were notified of my replies sorry