Dropbox Sync

Mindwtr supports direct Dropbox sync in supported desktop/mobile builds.

This uses Dropbox OAuth with App Folder access, so Mindwtr only reads/writes data under:

• /Apps/Mindwtr/data.json
• /Apps/Mindwtr/attachments/*

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Availability

• Desktop (official builds): Supported
• Mobile (official builds): Supported
• Expo Go: Not supported for Dropbox OAuth
• FOSS builds: Dropbox sync may be disabled
• Docker/PWA web build: not supported; use a native desktop/mobile build, self-hosted sync, or WebDAV instead

If Dropbox is disabled in your build, or you are using the Docker-served PWA, use Data and Sync (File Sync), Cloud Deployment (self-hosted), or WebDAV instead.

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User Setup (Official Builds)

1. Open Settings → Sync.
2. In the Sync backend selector, choose Dropbox. Mindwtr shows the selected path as Cloud Sync.
3. Click/Tap Connect Dropbox and complete OAuth in your browser.
4. Back in Mindwtr, use Test connection.
5. Run Sync.

After first sync, verify the app folder exists in Dropbox:

• /Apps/Mindwtr/data.json
• /Apps/Mindwtr/attachments/

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Self-Build Setup

If you build Mindwtr yourself, you must provide a Dropbox app key at build time.

1. Create Dropbox App

In Dropbox App Console:

• App type: Scoped access
• Access type: App folder
• Scopes: files.content.read, files.content.write, files.metadata.read
• Enable public client / PKCE flow

2. Add Redirect URIs

• Mobile: mindwtr://redirect
• Desktop: http://127.0.0.1:53682/oauth/dropbox/callback

3. Inject app key during build

• Desktop: VITE_DROPBOX_APP_KEY=<your_app_key>
• Mobile: DROPBOX_APP_KEY=<your_app_key>

For macOS App Store builds, the desktop OAuth callback uses a local loopback listener on 127.0.0.1:53682, so the app entitlement set must include com.apple.security.network.server.

In CI/release workflows, set repository variables or secrets:

• VITE_DROPBOX_APP_KEY
• DROPBOX_APP_KEY

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Troubleshooting

Invalid redirect_uri

Make sure the URI shown in Mindwtr matches Dropbox app settings exactly.

HTTP 401 / token invalid

Token is expired/revoked or was issued for another app key. Reconnect Dropbox.

No Dropbox option in settings

Your build likely has Dropbox disabled (common in FOSS builds) or missing build-time app key.

App appears connected but sync does not run

Use Test connection first. If successful, run Sync and check logs in Diagnostics and Logs.

"Couldn't reach the sync server" while you are online

Mobile shows this message when the device reports a working network but Mindwtr's own requests to Dropbox keep failing. Sync downloads and uploads through content.dropboxapi.com, while Test connection only reaches api.dropboxapi.com, so the test can pass while sync fails. Check that Mindwtr is allowed to use cellular data (iOS Settings > Cellular), and whether a VPN, DNS filter, or firewall blocks the app's traffic.

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Security & Privacy

• Mindwtr requests only App Folder access, not full Dropbox account access.
• OAuth tokens are stored locally on device.
• Mindwtr developer does not proxy Dropbox requests or receive your Dropbox token.

See:

• Data and Sync
• Privacy Policy