Download all files in iOS app

Tomero

Is there a way to get the iOS app to sync all the files without having to manually open them? Traveling without internet I really would like to be able to take my library with me and able to access it.

dstillman

Not currently, but it's planned. You can, however, download all files in a given collection from the collection context menu.

anthonyallison

I agree this would be a beneficial option. My iPad and iPhone both have plenty of space to sync my entire library. I would like that to be done automatically instead of waiting for me to open a file for it to download.

tamicall

Yes, please. Same request.

yuli_nano

It will be very helpful as pdf files normally don't take up too much storage space.

roolebo

I have not found the feature at first but then figured out. “My library” -> then press and hold on “All items”, a menu will appear, click “Download attachments”.

If the download doesn’t work the first time, then go to “Settings” -> “Account” -> “Verify Server”. Then repeat the steps to download all files.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u14561997/k1z9wx3xhz69afkles8j.jpg

jinchunchoi

@roolebo God, you saved me. Thank you for your detailed instruction with screenshot. I really appreciate it.

xujchen

@roolebo Thank you so much! I thought it's not possible.

However, the procedure is slightly different here on iPadOS 18 (Zotero version 1.0.42), just in case it's helpful to others:

"My Library" - "All Items" (or a collection) - upper right "Select All" - bottom middle icon with a circled down arrow. That's all.

gustms

@xujchen

In my case, it hasn't changed at all. What you described is an alternative way of doing the same thing, but pressing and holding on "All Items" still works on iPadOS 18.

xujchen

@gustms

Good for you (^_^). It's weird that it doesn't work on my iPad (iPad pro 2024 11 inch, iPadOS 18.0.1, Zotero 1.0.42).

I just tried again (a couple of times, actually), and nothing happens if I press and hold on "All Items". If I press and hold on a Subcollection, there is a drop menu but not about download.

mvasilak

Hey @xujchen, unless all items/collection/subcollection is empty or you don't have editing rights, you should see an actions menu.
Can you please post screenshots, or even better a small video, of this happening?

xujchen

@mvasilak Here is the screenshot. Not sure how to upload a video here. Sorry for the delay!

It shows the actions menu when I press and hold on a subcollection ‘ALib’. Nothing happens if I do the same thing to ‘All Items’. They are not empty, and there is no rights issue since it’s my own Library.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u727032/z774vitejpdikrn8oxwu.jpg

mvasilak

@xujchen at the time being, these download actions are added only if you have enabled "Show collection sizes" in settings. We'll improve this in an upcoming version, so the actions appear with this setting disabled as well.

xujchen

@mvasilak Yes, that's indeed the case. Thanks a lot!