Latest Dropbox update really changes the way I use my iPad

[Booji]

Just by accident, I found out that Dropbox has finally given me what I've wanted for years - the ability to sync a whole folder!

This is just what I needed for a file system - new files created on other devices are automatically synced to the folder and can be edited offline. This is huge for me when I travel and can now access files offline. This new feature takes my 9.7 Pro the best travel device ever.

 

[Abazigal]

Why not just download Documents and sync your files offline via said app?

 

[ferjilo]

Just by accident, I found out that Dropbox has finally given me what I've wanted for years - the ability to sync a whole folder!

This is just what I needed for a file system - new files created on other devices are automatically synced to the folder and can be edited offline. This is huge for me when I travel and can now access files offline. This new feature takes my 9.7 Pro the best travel device ever.

Isnt this the same that OneDrive does?

 

[ericwn]

I use Documents and sync wirelessly when my iPad is in my network. Don't even need something as silly as a cloud for my own files.

 

[sracer]

I use Documents and sync wirelessly when my iPad is in my network. Don't even need something as silly as a cloud for my own files.

There are far more apps that support DropBox than support Documents. That results in a less convoluted workflow when working with files on the iPad that need to be shared/edited by other devices.

 

[subjonas]

Just by accident, I found out that Dropbox has finally given me what I've wanted for years - the ability to sync a whole folder!

This is just what I needed for a file system - new files created on other devices are automatically synced to the folder and can be edited offline. This is huge for me when I travel and can now access files offline. This new feature takes my 9.7 Pro the best travel device ever.

You got me excited, then I found out it's only for paid pro and business users...

 

[bensisko]

You got me excited, then I found out it's only for paid pro and business users...

If you're dedicated...

 

[subjonas]

If you're dedicated...

The thing is, I'm getting subscribed to death with all these subscription based models. It makes sense when I'm being perpetually delivered new products or services, but it's my own files, and I don't actually need them online, just on all my devices (offline), and there's enough space on my devices as long as I can selectively sync. I just want an automatic way to do so, selectively and automatically sync my data across all my devices for free via my home wifi network. Haven't gotten around to finding that solution though.

I use Documents and sync wirelessly when my iPad is in my network. Don't even need something as silly as a cloud for my own files.

I'm all for that. But is this an automatic solution? Can you set it (select which folders are synced with which devices when they are on the same network) and forget it? Or do you have to manually copy or sync each folder on each device?

 

[ericwn]

There are far more apps that support DropBox than support Documents. That results in a less convoluted workflow when working with files on the iPad that need to be shared/edited by other devices.

Possibly, but anything major supports the document picker in iOS these days, doesn't it? That's where iCloud Drive and Documents would fit in. At least with the apps I use.

 

[ericwn]

The thing is, I'm getting subscribed to death with all these subscription based models. It makes sense when I'm being perpetually delivered new products or services, but it's my own files, and I don't actually need them online, just on all my devices (offline), and there's enough space on my devices as long as I can selectively sync. I just want an automatic way to do so, selectively and automatically sync my data across all my devices for free via my home wifi network. Haven't gotten around to finding that solution though.



I'm all for that. But is this an automatic solution? Can you set it (select which folders are synced with which devices when they are on the same network) and forget it? Or do you have to manually copy or sync each folder on each device?

I think I need to open the app within my network once for the specified folders to sync over.

 

[bensisko]

The thing is, I'm getting subscribed to death with all these subscription based models.

Yep, totally understand. For me, it started with Adobe - I love it (and still support it - i wouldn't be able to have Adobe apps without it). But then there's Netflix, Hulu, Office 365, and all of Apple's (Apple Music, iCloud Storage, ... I think there's others). One day my subscription bills will be more than rent!

 

[Precursor]

iCloud Drive works just the same. I have iCloud Drive installed on my work laptop, my MBP, my iPad and my iPhone. I am able to reach all my work files from all my devices.

 

[Booji]

Why not just download Documents and sync your files offline via said app?

The advantage is that its all automatic - I don't have to remember to select what files I need to work on, plus don't have to manage dupes.
[doublepost=1487507133][/doublepost]

iCloud Drive works just the same. I have iCloud Drive installed on my work laptop, my MBP, my iPad and my iPhone. I am able to reach all my work files from all my devices.

Does it sync the whole folder content automatically? What are the advantages over Dropbox?

 

[icymountain]

The thing is, I'm getting subscribed to death with all these subscription based models.

This is one of my major criticisms at the subscription model: from the point I would enter it, I would lose control over where I am going with it, so I do not enter it...

 

[Precursor]

Does it sync the whole folder content automatically? What are the advantages over Dropbox?

It does sync instantly, as soon as you save a document it syncs. There is no advantage or disadvantage over Dropbox, it works just the same. I have it installed on my windows PC and it appears like another drive on explorer, which i can also reach from all my MacOS and iOS devices (and windows devices with icloud drive installed)

 

[subjonas]

I think I need to open the app within my network once for the specified folders to sync over.

Right. That probably can't be avoided the way iOS handles its apps. Ideally, it would sync automatically when on the same Wi-Fi and connected to power, like how iTunes wifi sync (theoretically) works.

It does sync instantly, as soon as you save a document it syncs. There is no advantage or disadvantage over Dropbox, it works just the same. I have it installed on my windows PC and it appears like another drive on explorer, which i can also reach from all my MacOS and iOS devices (and windows devices with icloud drive installed)

I think OP is talking about the ability to keep a folder and all its contents synced on an iPad for OFFLINE use, automatically syncing whenever internet connection is regained (whereas previously in Dropbox, one could only manually mark each file to be saved offline on the iPad, which could become very difficult if there were a lot of files and/or new files were added to the folder regularly). I don't believe iCloud Drive has this function.

 

[Omega Mac]

Didn't Snowden say stay away from the Dropbox?

 

[Precursor]

Right. That probably can't be avoided the way iOS handles its apps. Ideally, it would sync automatically when on the same Wi-Fi and connected to power, like how iTunes wifi sync (theoretically) works.



I think OP is talking about the ability to keep a folder and all its contents synced on an iPad for OFFLINE use, automatically syncing whenever internet connection is regained (whereas previously in Dropbox, one could only manually mark each file to be saved offline on the iPad, which could become very difficult if there were a lot of files and/or new files were added to the folder regularly). I don't believe iCloud Drive has this function.

Uhmm..I have my files locally on my iPad, macbook and windows PC in icloud drive. As soon as you get connected with your devices same file is downloaded to all your devices automatically so no, you don't need internet to connect to icloud drive, it's local to all your devices, but synced to all your devices when connected to internet. You can reach the contents of your icloud drive for OFFLINE use. Have you even used icloud drive? Give it a try

 

[subjonas]

Uhmm..I have my files locally on my iPad, macbook and windows PC in icloud drive. As soon as you get connected with your devices same file is downloaded to all your devices automatically so no, you don't need internet to connect to icloud drive, it's local to all your devices, but synced to all your devices when connected to internet. You can reach the contents of your icloud drive for OFFLINE use. Have you even used icloud drive? Give it a try

I think there is some miscommunication or misinformation going on here. OP is talking about the ability to set a folder in the cloud to automatically sync/download all of that folder's contents (files added or edited from another device) from the cloud to its corresponding folder on the the iPad for offline use, without having to manually select or open each file you want to save offline (I believe you do have to open the Dropbox app while online for the syncing to be triggered, however).
It sounds like you're saying everything on your iCloud Drive by default is automatically downloaded to your iPad (and all your devices), but 1) I've tested out iCloud Drive and read up on it, and from what I can tell, that isn't correct--you have to manually open each file on the iPad for it to be downloaded, therefore it's not automatic. And 2) even if correct, it wouldn't be desirable to automatically download every single file from the cloud because space can be limited on devices, especially iPads. What is desirable is the ability to set specific folders to automatically download on certain devices.
Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. And any specific instructions on how to do what I'm describing would be appreciated.