Change shared folder permissions

How to change permissions for shared files and folders

Shared folders

You can give members of your shared folders different permissions:

• 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.

Shared files

Members of shared files can only view the file. You can’t give edit permissions to members of a shared file.

Set permissions on dropbox.com

If you’re the owner or an editor of a shared folder, you can change folder permissions. If you’re the owner of a shared file, you can add or remove people from that file.

1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
2. Click Files.
3. Navigate to the file or folder you’re interested in.
4. Hover over the file or folder and click Share.
5. Next to the name of a member, click the dropdown and select Can edit, Can view, or Remove.
   • If you’re changing permissions on a shared file, you’ll only have the option to Remove a member.

Set permissions on your computer

1. Open the Dropbox folder on your computer.
2. Right-click or command-click the shared folder.
3. Select Share…
4. Next to the name of a member, click the dropdown and select Can edit, Can view, or Remove.
   • If you’re changing permissions on a shared file, you’ll only have the option to Remove a member.
5. Click Share.

Set permissions 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.

How to control who can invite people to a shared folder

If you're the owner of a shared folder, you can prevent editors in the folder from inviting other people to the folder.

Learn more about roles in shared folders.

From 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. Click Share.
5. Click the gear icon.
6. Select your preferences for the setting Manage access: Choose who can add people to this folder.
7. Click Save.

From your computer

1. Open the Dropbox folder on your computer.
2. Right-click or command-click the shared folder.
3. Select Share…
4. Click Folder settings…
5. Select your preferences for the setting Who can manage membership of this folder.
6. Click Save settings.

Set permissions 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?

How to rename a shared folder

You can rename or move a shared folder from the Dropbox desktop app or dropbox.com. In the desktop app, you can rename or move a shared folder like any other folder on your hard drive. If you rename or move a shared folder, the folder remains shared.

The rename or move isn't reflected in the Dropbox accounts of other shared folder members. Shared folders work this way to avoid confusion among members of your shared folder: nobody wants their folders reorganized or renamed without their knowledge. If you need to rename a shared folder for all members, see the following instructions.

Rename a shared folder for all members

If you want to rename a shared folder for all members, you need to share it as a new shared folder. When you initially share a folder, its name is the same for all members.

Follow these steps to rename a shared folder:

1. Unshare the folder.
2. Rename the folder.
3. Reshare the renamed folder.

Dropbox Business team members: how to limit access to shared links to members of your team

Dropbox Business team members can choose whether team members can share files with people who aren’t on their team. You can change this setting for specific folders:

From 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. Click Share.
5. Click the gear icon.
6. Toggle Link restrictions to on or off.
7. Click Save.
   

From your computer

1. Open the Dropbox folder on your computer.
2. Right-click or command-click the shared folder.
3. Select Share…
4. Click Folder settings…
5. Select your preferences for the setting Allow links to be shared with people outside of this folder?
6. Click Save settings.

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.