Issues using Dropbox with both Windows and iOS

Scrivener Scrivener for macOS
1

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any knowledge in regards to Dropbox and working across different operating systems.

I have a Windows PC and a MacBook Pro. My novel’s deadline is looming and I’m travelling soon so wanted to have my Scrivener project on some form of cloud, to alternate between devices but work on the same file.

I have downloaded Dropbox onto both devices. My Scrivener file was created on my Windows PC. I copied it into Dropbox. When I access the Dropbox app on my PC all the files are there and I can open the project without a problem.

However, when I’m on my Mac it’s a different story. When I go into the Dropbox app only the main Scrivener file shows; it is missing the Files, QuickLook and Settings folders. Furthermore, when I attempt to open the .scriv file a message pops up stating that the file could not be opened, seems to be an older file format, and that the binder file could not be found.

So my question is - can you work on the same file via Dropbox with both iOS and Windows?

I’m wondering if the Mac is struggling to read the files in my Dropbox because they were originally made on a Windows computer and the files are encoded differently. I have included the operating softwares on my devices below. Any help would be greatly appreciated as my deadline is looming fast.

Thank you!

Mac OS Version - MacOS Sequoia Version 15.2
Windows OS Version - Windows 11 Home 26100.2605

Mac Scrivener Version - 3.4 (16639)
Windows Scrivener Version - 3.1.3.0 (1861504)

2

Does it have a .scrivx file extension? In that case you only copied one piece of your Scrivener project. You need the whole folder yourproject.scriv.

And make sure all files are available offline (downloaded).

More info:

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3

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your help, I managed to fix it! I needed to set the Dropbox folder to ‘Make Available Offline’ and now the project is syncing across both devices.

I really appreciate your help, it’s eased a lot of anxiety over my deadline and this upcoming trip :slight_smile:

Thanks,

Terry

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