Hello.
Dropbox has changed the tariff and is now available for free only on 3 devices. And for a fee - they’re sooo expensive. I use Scrivener on 4 devices - PC, MAC, iPhone and iPad. And then I need to refuse to use Scrivener on some device, since I can’t synchronize.
Please do (really needed) iOS support for choosing another service for synchronization. For example: box.com, google. drive.
If you search this forum, you’ll find many discussions about sync options other than Dropbox. In short, it appears unlikely that any other supported sync options will be available to Scrivener users any time soon. The way Scrivener stores files does not work happily with sync services other than Dropbox, according to Scrivener’s primary developer.
This is a frustration for some users of Scrivener, myself included. However, if you complain too loudly here, forum regulars will tell you ten dozen different ways why this problem you have isn’t actually a problem, and that if you remain unconvinced, well, the exit is over there. Expect to remain frustrated.
This is the technical explanation from the developer about why he uses Dropbox:
https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/icloud-sync/38238/14
As far as I know, there’s no current or prospective changes in regard to the technical hurdles. There’s a number of ways other than syncing live projects to enjoy the use of Scrivener, such as transferring a project from one device to another using iTunes (Finder in Catalina), AirDrop, iCloud Drive and Mail, etc. One can even transfer using ZIP files. I’ve never used Dropbox and get along fine without it. If you need help with exploring the options, ask away. Someone will help. Be sure to include your software/OS versions, if you do.
It sounds that @YouAlreadyForgot has seen, or personally experienced, some rude behavior on the forum. It can happen anywhere for a variety of reasons. It can simply be a matter of cultural misperception, someone having a bad day/week/month (we can imagine the possibilities), misunderstanding someone who has a naturally concise personality, etc, etc, or someone is just acting out rudely––whatever their reason/motive. If the behavior is egregious, report it. Otherwise, live your life, do what you came to do, don’t take someone’s––actual or what you think is–– poor behavior personally, or join the fray. Stuff happens, humans happen.
There’s only one forum rule––Be Polite. For the very most part, that’s the way it is here. It’s a great resource*. There are many here who are generous with their time and knowledge.
*And a clean one; no ads and associated trackers.
I agree with this post. I am certainly a Scrivener beginner and still have some difficulties that I would not have with Word, for example. What annoys me now pretty much and the further application is questionable is that Scrivener apparently allows synchronization only via Dropbox. And Dropbox has changed its policy. Although I have 3 GB of memory there, which is more than enough text, they only accept three devices. iPad, iPhone, MacMini and MB Air are but four. I rented 2 TB on iCloud, where I’m just above the 200 GB limit. I do not want to rent 1 or 2 TB at Dropbox for now.
What I do isn’t a clean solution, nor is it a sync.
- I have a Scrivener folder on iCloud Drive (lets for example call it \Writing\Scrivener)
- I draw this folder to the SideBar on my iPad Pro
- When I want to work on a file on my iPad, I open it from there. It then asks me if I want to save it to Local Storage on my iPad. I say, “yes, yes I do.”
- I then edit the Scrivener folder
- When done, I go to \local storage\Scrivener, drag the file back out to the Sidebar’d Scrivener folder and overwrite the file.
I am in similar boat as you. I cancelled my Dropbox plan, and don’t even have it installed on my main MacBook. In your case, there are a few other options, that I am also thinking of as well
- I’d honestly decide if editing on your iPhone is worth it being the fourth device. In my case, I sync to a PC (no Scrivener), my Air, The MacBook Pro (forget for a min I deleted it from there) and my iPhone. I am thinking to at least make the Scrivener sync a little less dragging stuff around of removing my phone and PC, and having Scrivener just sync to the 3 devices. I rarely edit Scrivener on my iPhone. Your milage my vary.
- Use a different app for writing. I am not even talking about Ulysses, but just a text editor like IA Writer and then moving the files into Scrivener for compiling. I have thought of this, and generally go, “eh, forget it.”
Just to add my voice here, requiring Dropbox support for Scrivener Sync has forced me to move to other tools. Despite how much I love Scrivener I just can’t trust Dropbox. A new (secure, end-to-end encrypted) sync method needs to be found, presumably after the devs have a chance to polish off the Windows release!