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Forum Discussion
How to Clear or Remove the Recent file list in mobile apps
I want to clear all the Recent file list, there has no clear function please advise how to clear the list.
Thanks & regards
Swe Tin
Is there any update on this function? I would like to clear files in "Recents" so that others are not able to view files that were previously opened. This is a family account that we all share - this is a privacy issue. It is almost time for me to renew my subscription..I won't be renewing because of this issue.
What he said.
+1 this would be a very appreciated feature in both mobile and web versions of Dropbox.
What if we have some personal identifiable things that we don't want to show on the "Recent Files"??
OutSideTheBox:
Considering the number of comments and similar threads this has, it's clearly an issue for many people. I'm not sure why you're following a topic that doesn't concern you.
It's pretty immature to be posting here that everyone's complaints are invalid just because it doesn't personally affect you.
A "Recents" view is to be added to the Android OS soon. A simple means of disabling or easily clearing this view will be expected by users.
Has this been fixed in any way. I have to renew my subscription to Dropbox. OR NOT.
with any standard text editor.
Open the plist file in the editor of your choice, and you can see the layout showing "Applications", "Documents," "Hosts," and "Servers" categories, all defined by their own "" tags. In each of these there is a "CustomListItems" category (defined as an array) that contains each of the recent items for that category. Find the name of the recent item and remove the whole entry for the item (all the contents between the "" and "" tags for the item, including the tags themselves).
Save the plist and then log out of the computer. Once you log back in, the change will take effect (just restarting the Finder will have no effect).
Thanks , :)
@Robert H., As you've probably gathered from your own searches:
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The plist file is specific to Mac iOS/OSX. (Seems that plists are also used with Apple software on Windows PC eg. iTunes).
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To edit the plist file (which should be text) use a text editor of your choice.
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Wendy's instructions are likely specific to Dropbox for Mac.
Poking around on Dropbox on Windows 7, I see that every time I open Dropbox, the following folders update:
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%HOMEPATH%\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\instance_db\
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%HOMEPATH%\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\instance1\
The files within these directories seem to be .DB and .DBX which may be readable with SQLite (I have not tested). I suspect the "recently changed" file list that may be equivalent to the plist that Wendy suggested to edit is stored in:
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%HOMEPATH%\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\instance1\UPDATED_XXXX ##where XXXX is some letters that changes each time it syncs
Again I have not managed to open any of the files. Deleting the filecache.dbx forces a "hash check"-like behavior (resyncs your entire Dropbox). Deleting UPDATED_XXXX seems to delay the "recently changed" file list from displaying (both on my Desktop and Android phone). But both of these files are recreated and the Recents eventually pop back up. These are likely downloaded from Dropbox server. If anyone pokes around and has more info or paths specific to Windows 10, please share with Robert H.
Now although this thread has "Apple mobile apps" in the title, it seems that forum moderators are redirecting everyone here for concerns about the "Recents" default loading page for Andriod as well. If you are on Android or have a mobile device that supports widgets, this solution from Dropbox support (Ralph) posted recently by Corey A. may work to load directly into a folder of your choice:
Here is his pasted post:
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Recent files could be good function, but only when I can clear the list a when I can set what I will see first when the app started. I don't want to risk that anybody can see what files I used last.
Hi all,
I get this response from DropBox support. I have actually tried this and it works. I have DB in a folder on my Android so I had to create the shortcut on a page first then move it. Hopefully they listen and remove the Recents.
Ralph, Feb 23, 8:32 AM:
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in. I understand that you would like to change the default tab/folder when the app opens. When tapping the Dropbox icon, Dropbox will open up to the Recents page first. This is working as intended and cannot be modified by the user.
We are always looking for user input when creating the next version of the Dropbox app and I will make sure your comments are passed along to our development team.
As a workaround, the Dropbox app offers the ability to create a home screen widget to any folder in your account, including the top-level Dropbox folder.
To create this shortcut:
- Tap and hold an empty spot on the home screen (phones) or tap the All Apps icon on the home screen (tablets)
- Tap “Widgets”
- Tap and hold the “Dropbox Folder” widget, drag it to the desired location on your home screen, and release.
- Upon releasing, you’ll be prompted to “Create shortcut to” the currently selected folder. If you wish to open a different folder, navigate to the preferred folder.
- Tap the “Create Shortcut” button.
You can now use this new Dropbox folder icon on your home screen to bypass the Recents view upon opening the Dropbox app.
If there is anything else I can do to be of service, please reach back out to me and I will be more than happy to assist.
Regards,
Ralph