Scrivener iOS Not Syncing With Dropbox

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Check the Dropbox folder and account

   Copy steps
   1. In the iOS Projects list tap Edit > gear icon > Dropbox Settings and note the folder
   2. Make sure the desktop project is in the same folder of the same Dropbox account
   3. Don't open the project through the Dropbox app
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Let the desktop finish uploading

   Copy steps
   1. Close the project on the Mac/PC
   2. Wait until the Dropbox desktop app shows everything is up to date, then tap Sync on iOS
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Move projects under the Dropbox heading

   Copy steps
   1. In the Projects list tap Edit
   2. Drag projects from 'On My iPad/iPhone' to below the Dropbox heading
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Clear the Dropbox sync cache

   Copy steps
   1. Open iOS Settings > Scrivener > Reset Scrivener
   2. Turn on Clear Dropbox Sync Cache
   3. Quit and relaunch Scrivener, then tap the sync icon
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Unlink and relink Dropbox

   1. In Dropbox Settings in the app, unlink the account, then link it again and sync
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Projects don't appear on iOS, edits don't reach the Mac/PC, the app is stuck on 'Syncing with Dropbox...', shows 'Invalid Project' or crashes during sync.

Why it happens

• iOS linked to a different Dropbox folder (default Dropbox/Apps/Scrivener) or account
• Desktop Dropbox still uploading the project
• Project stored 'On My iPad/iPhone' instead of under Dropbox
• Project zipped or synced with File > Sync > with External Folder
• Stuck Dropbox sync cache

This guide also covers

• scrivener ios not syncing
• scrivener syncing with dropbox stuck
• scrivener ipad dropbox sync
• scrivener invalid project ios

The same problem in other apps

All sync failures guides →

• Ulysses Not Syncing Between Mac and iPhone (Ulysses)
• Obsidian Sync Not Working or Stuck Syncing (Obsidian)
• Notion Not Syncing Between Devices (Notion)
• iA Writer Not Syncing With iCloud (iA Writer)

Other Scrivener errors

• Scrivener Won't Open or Not Responding
• Scrivener Project Already Open Error
• Scrivener Compile Missing Text or Chapters
• Why Is Scrivener So Slow? Typing Lag & Laggy Scrolling
• Scrivener Sync Conflicts Detected
• How to Recover Lost Work in Scrivener
• Scrivener Project Corrupted in OneDrive or iCloud
• Scrivener Blurry Text on Windows (High DPI Scaling)