Dropbox is a cloud storage device that helps users and businesses to store, locate, manage and share digital assets/files securely online and access the stored files from anywhere virtually with an internet connection. In this article, we will discuss how to use a Dropbox account and provide the guide you need to follow. Dropbox is versatile and this feature makes it stand out as an indispensable tool to manage your digital assets. The first step you need to know is that you have to download Dropbox.
You will also learn how to use a Dropbox account on Mac, Mobile App and Windows to share files securely and scan and upload documents. The guide that will be given here will be used to collaborate on projects and bring your best ideas to life even if you are working alone or working with clients and colleagues. Dropbox helps you back up all your files in a cloud and will be available online. It helps you to access and share your important items from anywhere at any time and on any device.
How To Use A Dropbox Account
Once you have downloaded Dropbox on either your mobile app, your laptop or your PC, the next step is to learn how to use a Dropbox account. The following are ways you can use to learn how to use a Dropbox account.
How To Log In To Your Dropbox Account
You can access your new Dropbox account in the following three (3) ways: on dropbox.com, from the Dropbox desktop app, and with the Dropbox mobile app. You can get started by logging in to your account on dropbox.com.
How To Log In To Your Dropbox Account On Dropbox.com
- Open a web browser.
- Go to www.dropbox.com.
- Select one of the following login options:
- Click Continue with Google.
- Click Continue with Apple.
- Enter your email address.
- After the above procedure, you then install the apps on your computer, tablet and phone to get the most out of your account.
How To Use A Dropbox Account On Mac, Windows, And Mobile Devices
Dropbox is one of the apps that makes it easy for you to access all your files, photos and videos on the go.
How To Download The Dropbox Desktop App
- Download the Dropbox desktop app.
- Once Dropbox is installed on your computer, you’ll see a Dropbox icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and a Dropbox folder on your hard drive.
- You’ll be prompted to log in with your Dropbox credentials. You should use the same email address and password that you logged in with on dropbox.com (this will be the same for all your devices).
The Dropbox desktop app is available for Linux, macOS and Windows operating systems. You can find out more about how to use a Dropbox account with Windows in S mode or on Linux.
How To Download The Dropbox Mobile App
All you need is to download Dropbox from dropbox.com/mobile. or any of your preferred app store. In case you already have the Dropbox mobile app on your phone or tablet, all you need to do is simply login with your email and password. You can also log in using SSO with your Google or Apple account.
How To Add Files And Folders To Your Dropbox Account
After downloading the mobile and desktop apps, the next thing is to put Dropbox to work by adding your files, pictures and videos.
How To Add A File Or Folder To Your Account Through Dropbox.com
Once you have signed in at dropbox.com, it is easy to add files to your account by simply dragging and dropping the files from your computer system. You can also follow the steps below to upload a file from your computer:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Click Upload under the search bar at the top.
- Click Files or Folder:
- If you choose Files, select as many files as you like and click Open.
- If you choose Folder, select a folder and click Upload.
How To Add Files Or Folders To Dropbox From Your Computer
- Drag and drop files or folders into the Dropbox folder on your desktop. Or, you can also use the Save As menu option in most applications to save files directly to your Dropbox folder.
- Files and folders in your Dropbox folder will automatically sync to dropbox.com and to the Dropbox desktop or mobile apps on any other devices you’ve connected to your account.
How To Add A File Or Folder From Your Desktop To Your Dropbox Account
- Just like File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), you can also drag and drop into the desktop app using the following steps below:
- Drag and drop the file or folder into the Dropbox folder on your hard drive.
- Select the Dropbox folder when using the Save As option in most applications.
If you like using Microsoft Office, go into the “General” area of “Preferences” and you can make Dropbox a default “Save As” location. This little tip will serve as a time-saver.
How To Add A File Or Folder Using The Dropbox Mobile App
Here you can manually upload files, photos and videos to your Dropbox account using the mobile app. The following are the steps you can use to manually upload files on your mobile device and it varies slightly depending on the type of device you are using.
For Android phones or Tablets
- Open the Dropbox mobile app.
- Open the folder where you would like to save your files.
- Click on the “+” (plus).
- Click on Upload files.
- Find the files you want to upload, and click to select them for upload.
- Then finally click on the Upload button and it is done.
For iOS phones or Tablets
- Open the Dropbox mobile app.
- Open the folder where you’d like to save your files.
- Click on the “+” (plus).
- Click on Create or Upload File.
- Click on Upload File.
- Click on Browse and find the file you’d like to upload.
- Select the location where you’d like to save the file in your Dropbox account.
- Then finally click on the Upload button and it is done.
How To Upload Photos From The Dropbox Mobile App Automatically
You may turn on camera uploads to save photos and videos automatically from a mobile device Dropbox.
For Android
- Open the Dropbox mobile app.
- Click on the menu button.
- Click on Settings.
- Under Camera Uploads, click on “Turn on Camera Uploads”.
- Click on the Allow button and your photos and videos will be uploaded automatically.
For iOS
- Open the Dropbox mobile app.
- Click on the account button.
- Click on the Camera Uploads button.
- Click “Ok” to give Dropbox access to your photos and videos.
- Then choose what you would like to back up and whether you would like to use cell data.
- Finally, click on back up my photos.
How To Back Up Your Computer
One of the ways how to use a Dropbox account maximally is to back up your computers. Automatically create a backup of key folders stored on your computer in your Dropbox account. After the first backup, any other changes you make to the folders or their contents will be automatically updated on your computer and your Dropbox folder.
You can also access the folders which you have already backed up under “Mac” or “PC”, from anywhere you use Dropbox like drpbox.com, the Dropbox mobile app, and the Dropbox folder in file Exploere (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
How To Create A Folder In Dropbox
After learning how to use a Dropbox account for your computer, Windows and Mobile devices, it is now time to learn how to create a folder in Dropbox.
How To Create a folder on dropbox.com
- Log in the dropbox.com.
- Click Create folder.
- Name your folder.
- Click Create.
How To Create A Folder On The Dropbox Mobile App for Your Android And iOS
For Android
- Open the Dropbox mobile app on your Android device.
- Click on the “+” (plus sign).
- Click on the Create new folder button.
- Type a name for your folder.
- Click on the Create button and it is done.
For iOS
- Open the Dropbox mobile app on your iOS device.
- Click on the “+” (plus sign).
- Click on Create folder.
- Click on New folder next to your folder name to rename your folder.
- Type the new name of your folder and click on “Done” once you finish.
- Then click on the Create button.
How To Share A File Or Folder From Your Dropbox Account
The following are the steps to share a file or folder from Dropbox.com:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Hover over the item you’d like to share.
- Click on the Share icon that appears.
- Type the email or name of the person, people, or group you would like to share with.
- Select Can edit or Can view from the dropdown menu.
- Click on Settings to customize who has access or disable downloads. You can require a password and set an expiry date too.
- Click on the Share file or Share folder button. The recipients will receive an email invitation to the content you shared.
- You can also click the Copy link (If a link hasn’t been created yet, click Create and copy link).
- The link will be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an email, chat, or other message.
How To Share A File or Folder From The Dropbox Folder On Your Desktop App
- Open the Dropbox folder on your computer.
- Click on the Share button.
- Type the Email, name, or group of the person (or people) you’d like to share with.
- Select Can edit or Can view from the dropdown menu.
- Click on share and the receivers will automatically receive an email with a link to the file or folder.
How To Share A File Or Folder Using The Dropbox Mobile App
- Go to the file or folder you want to share.
- Click on the “…” (ellipsis).
- Click on Share.
- Click on Create a link.
- If a link was already created for this content, then click on the “Share link” next to “Anyone with the link can view”.
- Then select the way you would like to share the link from the options “Can edit” or “Can view”. Either option will allow them to comment.
How To Scan Documents And Upload Them Straight To Dropbox From The Mobile App
Having learnt how to use a Dropbox account, you can easily upload, organize and share your scanned documents with Dropbox doc scanner. You can even search for text within your scans, thanks to optical character recognition (OCR). You can use the steps below to scan and save a document from your phone:
- Open the Dropbox mobile app on your Android or iOS device.
- Click on the “+” (plus) button.
- Choose Scan Document (on Android devices, you’ll need to select Allow when prompted).
- Take a picture of the content you want to transform into a document. You can also select an existing image from the iOS Camera Roll, or on Android, tap the photos icon.
Dropbox Automation Options
The following are Dropbox automation options you can utilise.
How To Create An Automated Folder
You can use the steps below to create an automated folder since you already know how to use a Dropbox account:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Click Create in the upper-left.
- Click Automated folder.
- Name the folder and select an automation option.
Options provided will be Files added to a folder are saved as PDFs, Files added to a folder are unzipped, Files added to a folder are tagged, Files added to a folder are saved as images, Files added to a folder are saved as videos, and Files saved to a folder are sorted based on category. - Follow the prompt(s), and then finally click on the Create button.
It is only available to users on Dropbox Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans”.
How To Add Automation To An Existing Folder
To add automation to a folder, use the following steps:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Navigate around the folder and click“…” (ellipsis).
- Click on Add Automation.
- Then Select the automation option and click Next.
- Follow the prompt(s), then click Add.
Note: You must have editing abilities for a folder to add, edit, or delete automation.
How To Share An Automated Folder
Automated folders can be shared the same way you share any other folder. The folder automation will remain for anyone where the folder is shared. Once an automated folder has been shared with someone, they will see the notation that the folder is automated as well as which automation option was selected.
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