Working with Dropbox on Android device

Dropbox users need an internet connection and a (free) account with the storage service. Dropbox also has a app for android devices. How to create an account and install the program can be found in the article ‘Create a Dropbox account’. Below, we’ll discuss how to use the Dropbox app.

First sign in with the Dropbox account to be able to work with the app.

• Open the app Dropbox.
• Tap at the bottom To register.
• Tap E-mail address and type your email address.
• Tap on password and type the corresponding password.
• Tap on To register.
• Dropbox wants to set how a backup is made on first use. We tap To skip.

The Dropbox app opens to the “Home” tab.

The Dropbox cloud service allows the user to store and view all kinds of files. Open a file like this:

• In the menu at the bottom, tap Files.
• An overview of the folders and files appears. Tap a file to open it. If necessary, tap a folder first to access the files.
• Close the file again via the arrow at the top left.

Folders are useful for organizing files. Create a new folder like this:

• Tap the blue circle with a plus sign at the bottom right .
• Tap on Create new folder.
• Type the name of the folder and tap To make.

The folder has been created and is listed with the files on Dropbox.

To add a file or folder in the Dropbox app:

• Tap the blue circle with a plus sign at the bottom right .
• Tap on Create or upload file.
• Tap on Upload files.
• Tap a desired file.

The file is saved online.

Upload photos or videos using the Dropbox app for Android like this:

• Tap the blue circle with a plus sign at the bottom right .
• Tap on Upload photos or videos.
• Give Dropbox access to the photos on the device the first time you use the app. Tap on To allow.
• Tap the desired photos and/or videos.
• At the bottom left is the Dropbox folder in which the images are saved. If necessary, tap to choose a different folder.
  • Tap the desired folder.
  • Tap on Set location.
• Tap on upload.

The photos and/or videos are stored with Dropbox.

Dropbox also has the ‘Camera upload’ option. This will automatically save all photos on the smartphone or tablet to Dropbox. Turn this feature on like this:

• Tap the three dashes icon at the top left .
• If necessary, swipe from the bottom up over the menu to display ‘Settings’.
• Tap on Institutions.
• Under ‘Features’, tap Camera uploads.
• Tap on Back up my photos.
• The function is now enabled. Tap the arrow at the top left twice to get out of the Dropbox settings.

All photos are instantly uploaded to the Dropbox account. They are in the ‘Photos’ tab. But beware: a free Dropbox account does not have a lot of storage space. If you take a lot of pictures it is so full.

Move files to a folder in Dropbox like this:

• In the menu at the bottom, tap Files.
• After a file’s name, tap the three-dot icon .
• If necessary, swipe from the bottom up to view more options.
• Tap on Move.
• Tap the folder where you want the document to go.
• Tap on Move.

The file is now in the chosen location.

Delete files you don’t want to keep from Dropbox. This frees up space for other files.

• Tap at the bottom Files.
• After a file’s name, tap the three-dot icon .
• If necessary, swipe from the bottom up to view more options.
• Tap on remove.
• Tap again remove.

The file has disappeared from the Android device. Online, via Dropbox.com, the document will remain in the Deleted Files folder for up to 30 days.

A file deleted through the Dropbox app can only be restored through the Dropbox website. To restore a file, read the “Working with Dropbox over the web” article.

Dropbox users can share files with others. Dropbox makes a distinction between sharing files with Dropbox users and people who don’t use the service.

Here’s how to share a file with other Dropbox users:

• Tap at the bottom on Files.
• After a file’s name, tap the three-dot icon .
• Tap on To share.
  • You may still need to verify the email address provided. If a notification about this appears, a message has already been sent to your email address.
  • Open the e-mail program and open the mail from Dropbox.
  • click on your e-mail adressVerify.
  • The Dropbox site opens. Log in here with username and password.
• Tap back in the app Find and sync your contacts to have your phone contacts available in the Dropbox app. If you prefer not to, like us, tap Not now.
• Under ‘Send to’, tap E-mail address, name or group.
• Optionally tap Refuse to disallow access to your contacts.
• Type the email address of the person you want to share the document with.
• Tap on Optional message to type an accompanying message.
• Tap on To share.

The recipient will receive an email informing them that a file or folder has been shared. He or she needs a Dropbox account to access the file.

Share file via link

Share files with anyone, including those without Dropbox, via a link.

• Tap at the bottom on Files.
• After a file’s name, tap the three-dot icon .
• Tap on To share.
• Tap on Create a link.
• Tap the medium you want to share the link with, for example Messages.
• Enter a recipient.
• Tap on Ready or Send.

The recipient will receive a message with a link to the shared file.