Scrivener Sync Conflicts Detected

How to fix it

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

1. 1. Back up and let Dropbox settle

   Copy steps
   1. On the computer, make a backup (File > Back Up > Back Up To...) and close Scrivener
   2. Pause Dropbox, make a second copy, then resume Dropbox and let it finish
   3. Check dropbox.com to make sure no 'conflicted copy' files remain in the project
   4. Then tap Sync on iOS
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Merge the conflicted text

   Copy steps
   1. Open the project and look in the binder for the conflicted documents Scrivener reports after syncing
   2. Compare each conflicted document with the original and copy the right text back
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Prevent new conflicts

   Copy steps
   1. Always tap Sync before leaving the iOS app
   2. Close the project on the desktop before syncing on iOS
   3. Open the project on one device at a time
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. If conflicts keep coming back

   Copy steps
   1. Clear the Dropbox sync cache (iOS Settings > Scrivener > Reset Scrivener) or unlink and relink Dropbox
   2. Contact Literature & Latte support if it persists
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Scrivener reports 'sync conflicts detected', creates conflicted copies of documents, or keeps showing conflicts even when nothing changed on the desktop.

Why it happens

• Editing on iOS and desktop without syncing in between
• Leaving the iOS app without tapping Sync
• Dropbox still uploading when the other device opens the project
• Leftover conflicted files in Dropbox

This guide also covers

• scrivener sync conflicts detected
• scrivener conflicted copy
• scrivener dropbox conflict

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 iOS Not Syncing With Dropbox
• How to Recover Lost Work in Scrivener
• Scrivener Project Corrupted in OneDrive or iCloud
• Scrivener Blurry Text on Windows (High DPI Scaling)