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Previewing Dropbox-stored .wavs via Files app/Sample Crate
Hey everyone. I have a problem that I'm not finding a solution for -- I hope it's okay if I post this here. I've downloaded a bunch of samples to my Mac, which I am storing in Dropbox. When I preview a .wav on my iPad (a file that is cloud-only in Dropbox) via the Files app or through Sample Crate, the sample downloads to my iPad.
I'd like to delete files from my device that have been downloaded in this way -- files I previewed but never actually used. But when I look at Dropbox itself, those files are not listed under "Offline Files," so I can't just delete them from there. And if I delete the files from the Dropbox section in Files app they disappear from Dropbox as well.
I actually switched to Dropbox from iCloud Drive to avoid this problem; I thought Files and Dropbox would work separately, so something I deleted via Files wouldn't also delete from Dropbox.
So my question is this -- is there a way to NOT download cloud-only .wavs as I preview them? And if that's not possible, is there a way to delete a file locally and NOT delete it from Dropbox, even though it doesn't appear under Dropbox's "Offline Files?"
Hope my convoluted explanation made sense. Thanks for any help!
Comments
Your explanation makes sense, but unfortunately the answer is you have little control over what Dropbox caches locally on your device.
With the non-pro version of Dropbox you can choose individual files to access offline, which means they're always available whether you have internet access or not. With Dropbox Pro you can do the same for entire folders.
But you don't have any control over whether normal files, not marked for offline access, are stored on the device or not. On the other hand, I think there are some limits on how much space Dropbox's cache take up on the device. It could be that trying to control it granularly isn't as important as you might think since other files will be un-cached as needed to keep the storage usage from getting out of hand.
There's a Clear Cache option in iOS Settings for Dropbox. That may reduce space usage at the cost of having to re-download files. Failing that, uninstalling and reinstalling the app will clear all storage.
[edit] humm... read that online, but I just checked and can't find a Clear Cache setting anywhere yet.
[edit 2] OK, in the Dropbox app > Account > Gear Icon > Privacy (near the bottom of the page).
The only thing that clears the Dropbox cache completely is a delete and re-install the app. I do it regularly and have had no issues. The question has been on their forums for several years with no plan indicated for dealing with it.
Thanks @wim and @anickt -- that's very helpful. The delete/reinstall is a good trick. @wim you mentioned that files may be uncached if they're not used. So if I preview (and thus download) a file, might Dropbox un-download it later if it can somehow detect that it's not being used?
I guess I have another related question... if I use a sample in a project and then delete the file in Dropbox -- or I delete and reinstall Dropbox and that original file is no longer on my device -- will the project be broken? I know some DAWs like BM3 can save the samples as part of the project folder. Maybe I'll make a folder "on my iPad" for copies of samples I end up using. How do you all handle sample libraries?
Thanks so much for the help!
@lmbrown . If you use a 3rd-party app, like FE File Explorer, it can access your DropBox files and you'll have more control over them. You can download a file, play it, and delete the local copy. None of this nonsense about caching, magical mirroring, etc. I use File Explorer (and GoodReader) with my Box account, and avoid the Box app which has the problems you describe. The Documents by Readdle app may be another alternative, but I'm not familiar with it. These apps use the SDKs provided by the various cloud services.
The problem with the Files app is that it uses File Provider Extensions supplied by the services as part of their apps. So when you access a server through the Files app sidebar, you're actually using the provider's app. This means the integration is seamless, and also minimizes Apple's work to access these servers. But it means you're using the service the way the provider intends, not the way you want to. And of course, any app that uses the File Provider system is effectively the same as using the Files app.
@uncledave -- I downloaded FE File Explorer and it's perfect. I didn't even know something like this existed. It even plays all samples in a folder one after another, with no downloading. Thank you!
Files App can't 'instantly preview' files stored in the cloud by the 'big 4' cloud storage providers.
As you already know, 2 require downloading the entire file first. The other 2 don't require downloading, but it certainly isn't 'instant previewing'.
In Files App, deleting their files, regardless of whether it's a shortcut or locally stored, do different things depending on the provider.
Save yourself from massive headaches, and get an iPad with more storage and store your sample library locally.
You'll need to download the file before using it in a project. When using Dropbox within BM3, BM3 will download the file. Deleting the Dropbox app won't delete what's stored in their cloud.
Don't do this. Files App is horrendous as a file manager, especially for audio files. Use Audioshare, Readdle Documents, and FE File Explorer Pro.
Audioshare for samples. FE File Explorer Pro for audio files that Audioshare can't play.
With multiple backups stored elsewhere, like on USB HDDs.
Avoid using Files App for file management.
Non-scientific tests 🤪 -
Basic Tests in Files App using iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive -
No downloading! I've used FE for 8 years and did not realize that. The dev has really tried to make it the multifunction file manager. Of course, it cannot access the folders that apps expose On my iPad, because that's Apple proprietary. Please leave him a nice review.
@ocelot -- thank you for the advice! I can't believe I'm just now realizing that there are much better alternatives to use instead of Files app. I've downloaded FE File Explorer Pro and it's fantastic. As for iPad storage, my current one has 256 gigs, but I've got tons of art apps and art files that take up massive amounts of space in addition to all of my many music apps and files. It's only a year old, so it'll be a while before I purchase a new device.
@uncledave -- I bought the $5 FE File Explorer Pro version -- I don't know if that makes a difference? But yeah, as far as I can tell those previewed items stay off my device unless I specifically choose to download them -- and even then, I can easily delete the file from my device without deleting it from Dropbox. I'm definitely going to leave a great review! Thanks again for the suggestion.
I believe the Pro lets you configure multiple servers. As you've seen, it can connect to anything, so you may have use for it.
Are you serious!!?? What’s it playing them from? iCloud, Dropbox, etc?
@ipadbeatmaking It's streaming them from Dropbox. It's the Pro version of FE -- I don't think the free version can do that. The Pro version is $5 USD on iOS and $15 USD on Mac. I only have the iOS version.
Now I'm doubting myself a little... maybe they're somewhere I haven't thought to check, but they definitely aren't downloaded from either FE or Dropbox and they're not in any folders I can view on my iPad.
This is what the in-app player looks like. This is what pops up when you select a sample from a folder. All the samples play one after the other automatically:
And these are the options when you click on the three dots next to a file. All of these files have been previewed and none of them have been downloaded:
It sure seems like previewing does not require downloading with this program -- when I navigate to "My Files" on the left panel in FE Pro, which shows downloaded files and files that are available offline, nothing is there. If I do download from FE Pro, it will show up under My Files... and then I can choose to delete it from that location if I want and it does NOT disappear from Dropbox.
It also supports drag and drop, so pulling a sample into, for example, Loopy Pro, is perfect.
FE File Explorer Pro streams them from Dropbox. So they aren't downloaded - instead they're loaded to RAM. Kind of like watching videos on YouTube or listening to music online.
You can adjust its cache in Settings (the gear icon in the bottom left), but I just leave it at the default of 500MB.
You can read more about FE File Explorer Pro here. Help/manual is here.
Also check out Readdle Documents (App Store link), it's free and nearly the same. Each has their advantages.
I should correct something I said about FE File Explorer. My memory was of an earlier version that could not access other app files. But the current version allows you to create an External Location which can be mapped to anything On My iPad or in iCloud Drive. So you can access the folders exposed by other apps. Unfortunately, AudioShare is not available.
An alternative is to move files into the "FE File Explorer (On My iPad)" folder. Then Files can access them and interact with all its resources. And these files are also visible in any app using a Files document picker.
I've had this app since iOS 7, and it still keeps getting more powerful.
@ocelot and @uncledave -- thank you for taking the time to provide information and links! This has all been so helpful and has completely changed the way I interact with my files, music or otherwise. I really appreciate your help!