Working with Dropbox on iPhone or iPad

Dropbox users require an internet connection and a free account with the storage service. Dropbox also has an app for the iPad and iPhone. How to create an account and install the program can be found in the article ‘Create a Dropbox account’.

In order to work with the Dropbox app, the user must first log in with the Dropbox account. To do this, follow the steps below:

• Tap the app Dropbox.
• Tap on E-mail address and type the email address you used to sign in to Dropbox.
• Tap on password and type the corresponding password.
• Tap on To register.
• The device may ask if you want to save the password in the iCloud Keychain. Optionally tap Save password or on Not now.
• An upgrade to the paid subscription may be suggested in a window. Tap on cancel.
• You may be given the option to instantly back up photos, share files, or scan documents. Then tap To skip.
• If necessary, specify whether you want Dropbox to show you notifications on your phone (if you’re using iPhone). We choose Allow.

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

• Tap at the bottom Files.
• An overview of the files opens. Tap a file to open it.
• There may be an empty area on the right of the screen, which makes navigation more difficult. Then tap the empty area away via the cross.

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

• Tap below the search bar +Folder.
• Tap on Create folder.
• Tap on New map.
• Type the name of the new folder.
• Tap on Ready.
• Decide where to put the folder on Dropbox. If it’s on the Dropbox home screen, tap To make and the folder is created. Do you want to create a subfolder in an existing folder on Dropbox?
  • Tap on Choose another folder.
  • Select the correct folder.
  • Tap on Save.
  • Tap on To make.
• The folder has been created and the empty contents are visible. The arrow at the top left takes you back to the other files and folders within a few taps.

Upload a file in the Dropbox app as follows:

• Tap at the bottom To make.
• Tap on Create or upload file.
• Tap on upload file.
• Tap on To leaf through.
• The ‘Files’ app opens. Tap on To leaf through.
• Tap a desired file. If necessary, first tap the folder containing the file.
• Tap on upload.
• Dropbox is selected under ‘Upload to’. This means that the file is immediately visible when you open Dropbox. To put files in an existing folder on Dropbox, first tap Choose another folder. Then select the correct folder. Tap on Save./
• Tap on upload.

The file is saved to Dropbox.

Upload photos from the tablet or smartphone to Dropbox as follows:

• In the Dropbox app, tap To make.
• Tap on upload photos.
• Dropbox wants access to the photos on the device. Tap on Give access to all photos to grant access.
• Tap the photos you want to upload.
• At the top right, tap Next one.
• Dropbox may already be selected under ‘Upload to’. This means that the photo(s) are immediately visible with the files on Dropbox (not sorted in a folder). To choose where to put the photos on Dropbox, tap Choose a (different) folder. Optionally, tap a folder where the document should be placed and tap Save.
• Tap on upload.

The photos are stored with Dropbox.

Dropbox also has a “Camera Upload” option. This will automatically save all photos on the smartphone or tablet to Dropbox. Turn this feature on like this:

• Tap on Account.
• Tap on Camera uploads.
• Tap the slider behind ‘Camera uploads’.
• Other options will now appear, such as automatic video uploading, no uploading with a mobile plan, and enabling background uploading (which drains the battery faster). Tap the appropriate sliders to activate the options. Optionally, provide access to the location data to improve background uploading.
• If necessary, give Dropbox access to all the photos on your device.
• All photos (and videos) are instantly uploaded to the Dropbox account. On the Dropbox home page, you’ll find the “Camera Uploads” folder. This will now automatically place the photos taken with the mobile device.

Move files to a folder in Dropbox like this:

• Tap on Files.
• Optionally, tap a folder to access a file.
• Tap the circle with three dots below the file name.
• On iPhone, swipe up from bottom to top to see more options.
• Tap on Move.
• Tap on Choose another folder.
• A pop-up window will appear. If necessary, go to the overview of all files via the arrow at the top left of the pop-up window. If necessary, tap a folder.
• Tap on Save.
• Tap on Move.

The file is now in the chosen location.

If you no longer want to keep a file, delete it from Dropbox. This leaves more space for other files.

• Tap on Files.
• Browse to the file you want to delete. To do this, tap a folder.
• Tap the circle with three dots below the file name.
• On iPhone, swipe up from bottom to top to see more options.
• Tap on remove.
• Tap on remove.

The file has disappeared from the iPhone or iPad. Online, via Dropbox.com, the document will remain in the Deleted Files folder for 30 days.

A file deleted through the Dropbox app can only be restored through the Dropbox website. Restore a file? Then read the article ‘Working with Dropbox over the Internet’.

Dropbox users can share files with others. Share a file like this:

• Tap on Files.
• Browse to the file you want to share. To do this, tap a folder.
• Tap the circle with three dots below the file name.
• Tap on To share.
• Tap on Export file.
• Tap the way you want to share, for example via email or Airdrop. Follow the instructions of the respective app.

Share files via link

• Tap on Files.
• Browse to the file you want to share. To do this, tap a folder.
• Tap the circle with three dots below the file name.
• Tap on To share.
• click on share link.
• Tap the app you want to share the link with, for example via email or Airdrop.
• Follow the instructions of the respective app.