Dropbox’s camera uploads can back up your iPhone photos and videos automatically, but iOS limits what apps can do in the background, so uploads often seem to stop when the app isn’t open. The key settings are Dropbox’s own camera upload options plus a few iPhone settings: photo access, Background App Refresh, cellular data, and Low Power Mode. This guide walks through all of them, plus Dropbox’s overnight upload feature for large backups.
Quick Answer
In the Dropbox app, tap your account icon > Camera uploads and turn backup on, giving Dropbox Full Access to your photos. Then on your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Dropbox and turn on Background App Refresh (and Cellular Data if you want uploads without Wi-Fi). Keep Low Power Mode off and charge your phone regularly.
Step 1: Turn On Camera Uploads in Dropbox
- Open the Dropbox app and tap your account icon.
- Tap Camera uploads and turn it on.
- When asked for photo access, choose Allow Full Access. With limited access, only selected photos can upload.
- Choose whether to back up photos only or photos and videos.
- Turn on Use cell data to back up if you want uploads over mobile data.
Step 2: Allow Background Activity on Your iPhone
- Open iPhone Settings > Apps > Dropbox (on older iOS, scroll down in Settings and tap Dropbox).
- Turn on Background App Refresh.
- Turn on Cellular Data if you enabled cellular uploads.
- Check Photos is set to Full Access.
- Make sure Background App Refresh is also on globally: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Older versions of Dropbox used location access (“Always”) to wake up uploads in the background. Current versions rely on Background App Refresh, so location access isn’t required.
Step 3: Remove Things That Block Uploads
- Low Power Mode pauses background activity. Turn it off in Settings > Battery.
- Low Data Mode can block uploads. Check Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode and Wi-Fi network settings.
- Storage full: check your Dropbox storage in the app’s account page; uploads stop when you run out of space.
- Force-closing the app (swiping it away) can stop background uploads until you open it again.
Use Overnight Uploads for Large Backups
iOS gives background tasks limited time, so thousands of photos can take a while. Dropbox’s overnight uploads keeps uploading continuously:
- Plug your iPhone into a charger and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Open Dropbox, go to Camera uploads (tap the camera icon), and choose Start overnight uploads.
- Leave the app open; the screen dims while it uploads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do uploads only happen when I open Dropbox?
Background App Refresh is off, Low Power Mode is on, or the app was force-closed. iOS also decides when background tasks run, so some delay is normal.
Where do my photos go in Dropbox?
To the Camera Uploads folder in your Dropbox.
Does camera upload delete photos from my iPhone?
No. It copies them. You can delete them from your iPhone yourself once they’re backed up.
Summary
- Turn on Camera uploads in Dropbox with Full Access to photos.
- Enable Background App Refresh (and Cellular Data) for Dropbox in iPhone Settings.
- Keep Low Power Mode and Low Data Mode off.
- Use overnight uploads for big backups.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.