To use Dropbox, sign in on its website or app, upload your files, then use Share to copy a link or invite specific people. You can also save files through the Dropbox folder on your computer and make selected items available offline. Choose Dropbox Transfer when you want to send a downloadable copy.
The short version
- Start uploading: Add files on the website, through your computer’s Dropbox folder, or with the mobile app.
- Choose access: Share a viewing link or invite specific people with viewing or editing permission.
- Prepare for offline use: Make needed files available offline before using them without an internet connection.
- Send or collect: Use Transfer to send downloadable copies and file requests to collect uploads from others.
| Option | What you use it for | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Website upload | Select files or folders to upload | Your account needs enough available space |
| Browser drag and drop | Drag files into a destination folder | Keep the tab open until uploading finishes |
| Desktop folder | Add files through your computer’s file manager | Keep Dropbox running until syncing finishes |
| Mobile file upload | Upload files from a phone or tablet | Android and iOS use different upload controls |
| Selected photo upload | Choose photos and videos to store | Confirm the destination before uploading |
| Another mobile app | Save content through its sharing control | Dropbox must be installed and signed in |
| Camera uploads | Upload camera photos automatically | Check the cellular data setting |
| Shared link | Send access through a message | Access depends on audience and permissions |
| Direct invitation | Give specific people access | Recipients need Dropbox accounts |
| Dropbox Transfer | Send a downloadable copy | Recipients do not need Dropbox accounts |
| File request | Collect uploads from other people | Uploads use your Dropbox storage |
| Offline access | Keep Dropbox files available without a connection | Mobile offline folders require an eligible plan |
| Website download | Save a separate local copy | The downloaded copy does not stay synchronized |
Sign in and create a folder
Open Dropbox’s website and click Login. Sign in with your email and password, Google, or Apple, or click Sign up to create an account. Sign in only through Dropbox’s own app or website, and never share a code, password, or remote access with someone who contacts you.
On Windows or macOS, download the installer from the official Dropbox installation page, run it, and sign in. On a phone or tablet, follow the App Store or Google Play link on the Dropbox mobile app page, install the app, and sign in. You can also create an account through the installed apps.
To create a folder on the website, click New folder, or choose New > Folder. Enter a name in Name and choose Only you for a personal folder. To share the folder during creation, choose Only specific people, enter recipients, and select Can edit or Can view.
Upload files from your computer
On dropbox.com, open the folder where you want to store your files. Click Upload > File, select the files, then click Open. For a whole folder, choose Upload > Folder, select it, and click Upload. Your account needs enough available storage for the upload.
In a browser that supports drag and drop, open the destination folder on the website and drag files or folders from your computer onto the page’s drop area. Keep the tab open until uploading finishes. If your browser does not support drag and drop, use Upload instead.
With the Windows or macOS desktop app installed, open the Dropbox folder in File Explorer or Finder. Drag files into it, copy and paste them there, or save directly into it from another application. Leave Dropbox running until syncing finishes.
On a supported Linux desktop installation, open your file manager and navigate to the Dropbox folder. Copy, paste, or drag your files into that folder, then wait for the status Up to date.
Add files and photos from your phone
In the Dropbox mobile app, open your destination folder and tap +. On Android, choose Upload files, select the files, and tap Upload. On iPhone or iPad, choose Create or Upload File > Upload File, then browse for your files.
For photos and videos, open the destination and tap + > Upload Photos. Select your photos, then tap the folder icon on Android or Next on iOS. Choose the destination, tap Set location, then tap Upload.
You can also save content from another mobile app with Dropbox installed and signed in. Select the content in its original app, tap Share, choose Dropbox, then select a destination and save. To create a destination folder within Dropbox, tap + > Create folder, enter a name, and tap Create.
To upload camera photos automatically on Android, open Account > Settings > Features > Camera uploads, then tap Back up my photos. Tap Allow if prompted, and turn off Use data when offline to avoid cellular uploads. Camera uploads are unavailable for Android teams using Dropbox EMM; use manual photo uploads instead.
On iOS, tap your account icon and open Camera uploads > Upload from > Settings. Grant photo access, return to Dropbox, choose your backup options, and tap Turn on camera uploads. Turn off Use cell data to back up to avoid uploading over cellular data.
Share a link to your files
On the website, select an item and open Share > Copy link > Manage. Choose Link for viewing or Link for editing, then click Copy link and paste it into your message. Recipient access depends on the link audience and existing permissions.
From the Windows or macOS Dropbox folder, right-click the item and choose Share…. Open the settings control, choose Link for viewing, and click Copy link. In the mobile app, open the item’s more-options menu and choose Share > Link for viewing > Copy link. Paste the copied link into your message.
To set defaults for new website links, open your avatar menu and choose Settings > Sharing. Under Who has access, choose Anyone with the link, Only people invited, or Team members where available. Under What people can do, choose Can edit or Can view. These defaults do not change existing links, mobile sharing, or URLs copied from the address bar.
Deleting a shared link revokes access through that link; direct membership remains separate. With permission to manage the link, open Shared on the website, open the item’s more-options menu, and choose Share, then the settings control. Select Link for editing or Link for viewing, click Delete link, and confirm with Delete.
Invite people and manage their permissions
To give specific people access on the website, select your item and choose Share > Add people. Enter the recipients, select can edit or can view, then click Share. Recipients need Dropbox accounts for this method.
On Windows or macOS, right-click the item and choose Share… > Add people. Enter recipients, select can edit or can view, then click Share.
On mobile, open the item’s more-options menu, choose Share > Search, and enter recipients under Send to. Select Can edit or Can view, tap Close on iOS, then tap Share.
To change a folder member’s permissions on the website, open the folder’s more-options menu and choose Manage permissions. Open the member dropdown and select Can edit or Can view; you need the relevant ownership or management permission. Folder owners can also open Share, then the settings control, and choose Manage who can add people > Only the owner > Save.
Send a downloadable copy with Transfer
Use Dropbox Transfer when you want to send a downloadable copy. On dropbox.com, open the app-grid icon and choose Transfer > Create transfer. Add content with Upload files, Upload folders, Add from Dropbox, or drag and drop.
Click Create transfer, then choose Send email or Copy link. Recipients do not need Dropbox accounts. Transfer size and customization depend on your plan.
To save an accessible transfer you received into your own Dropbox, open the app-grid icon on the website and choose Transfer > Received. Open the transfer and click Save to Dropbox. For a local copy instead, open its more-options menu and choose Download.
Collect files from other people
File requests let other people upload files to you without needing Dropbox accounts. On dropbox.com, open File requests > New request. Enter a Title and an optional Description, then use Change Folder under Folder for uploaded files if you want a different destination.
Click Create, enter recipients, and click Share. Alternatively, click Copy beside Share a link instead and send that link. Uploaded files consume your Dropbox storage, so your account needs enough space to receive them.
Keep files available offline or download a copy
On Windows or macOS, right-click an item inside your Dropbox folder and choose Make available offline. To keep an item online-only instead, right-click it and choose Make online-only. Online-only files still use storage in your Dropbox account.
For individual files on mobile, open the file’s more-options menu and turn on Make Available Offline. Find downloaded items through your account under Manage offline files on Android or Manage Offline Files on iOS. Individual offline files are available on all plans; Dropbox lists Plus, Family, Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise for offline folders.
For a separate local copy, select the checkbox beside each desired file or folder on dropbox.com and click Download. Downloaded copies do not remain synchronized with Dropbox. Choose offline access when you want the file available through Dropbox, or download when you need a separate copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you scan paper documents into Dropbox?
You can scan documents in the Android or iOS Dropbox app. Use the add control and select Scan Document, photograph the document, adjust the pages, then tap Next and Save. Single-page scans support PDF or PNG, while multipage scans use PDF.
Can you access Dropbox through the Files app on an iPhone or iPad?
You can add Dropbox as a location in Files after installing Dropbox and signing in. In Files, open Browse > … > Edit, turn on Dropbox, and tap Done. Under Locations, open Dropbox. Use the Dropbox app itself for shared-folder settings and offline Dropbox access, which Files does not support.
Can you share a Dropbox file with a QR code?
You can create a view-only QR code on the Dropbox website. Select the item, open Share, then the more-options icon, and choose Create QR code > Save. Share the downloaded PNG.
Are Google Docs created through Dropbox stored in Dropbox?
Your document is stored in Google Drive, while Dropbox stores a .web shortcut. Your Google and Dropbox accounts must use the same email address for this feature. Grant access to the actual document through Google.
