How to manage shared folder permissions

If you share a folder with someone, you can decide what permissions they have to your folder. Members of a shared folder can have one of three roles—editor, viewer, or owner.

• Editor: Any member you give this permission to can add, edit, or delete files in that folder.
• Viewer: Any member you give this permission to can view and comment on files in a shared folder, but not add, edit, or delete files.
• Owner: Only one member can be the owner of a folder. The creator of a shared folder is automatically the owner, unless they change the owner to someone else.

Learn more about roles and permissions for members of a shared folder.

Not using Dropbox yet? See how Dropbox makes managing file permissions easy.

How to change a member’s access to a shared folder

To change a member’s access permissions, follow the instructions for your device below.

On dropbox.com:

1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
2. Click Files.
3. Navigate to the file or folder you want to edit.
4. Hover over the file or folder and click Share.
5. Click the name of the member you want to edit. 
6. Next to the name of that member, click the dropdown and select Can edit or Can view.

Using the Dropbox desktop app:

1. Right-click the shared folder.
2. Click Share…
3. Click the name of the member you want to edit. 
4. Next to the name of that member, click the dropdown and select Can edit or Can view.

On your phone or tablet:

1. Open the Dropbox app.
2. Find the folder you'd like to share.
   • On Android: Tap the downward arrow.
   • On iOS: Tap the … (ellipsis) icon or tap # members under the shared folder name.
3. Tap Share.
4. Next to the name of a member, click the dropdown and select Can edit, Can view, or Remove.
5. If you’re changing permissions on a shared file, you’ll only have the option to Remove a member.
6. Tap Send.

Watch this video to learn more about sharing files and folders

How to prevent members from inviting other people to a shared folder

If you're the owner of a shared folder, you can prevent members from inviting other people to the folder. To do so, follow the instructions for your device below.

On dropbox.com

1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
2. Click Files.
3. Navigate to or search for the shared folder you’re interested in.
4. Hover over the folder and click Share.
5. Click the settings icon (gear icon).
6. Select your preferences using the dropdown next to Manage access.
7. Click Save.

Using the Dropbox desktop app:

1. Open the Dropbox folder on your computer.
2. Right-click or command-click the shared folder.
3. Select Share…
4. Click the settings icon (gear icon).
5. Select your preferences using the dropdown next to Manage access.
6. Click Save.

On your phone or tablet:

1. Open the Dropbox app.
2. Tap the "..." (ellipses) next to the folder you'd like to share.
3. Tap Manage Access.
   • Android: Select your preference under Who can manage access to this folder?
   • iOS: Tap Management, then select your preference under Who can manage access?

Roles and permissions for members of a shared folder

Members of a shared folder can have three possible roles: viewer, editor, or owner.

	Owner	Editor	Viewer
File actions
View folder contents
View the members of the shared folder and their roles
Comment on files in the folder			*
Edit folder contents
Member actions
Invite and remove members		*
Change roles of other members		*
Cancel invites and reinvite members		*
Email members
Make another member the owner
Leave the folder
Determine who can be invited to the folder
Determine who can manage membership of the folder
Move shared folders into team folders
Folder actions
Unshare the folder

Note: The * (asterisk) means that this is the default setting for shared folders. The owner of a shared folder can change this setting.