My options to share files on Dropbox look different—did something change?

We're always working to improve how sharing works at Dropbox. If you see a Share button next to your files on dropbox.com, then you have access to our new way to share. You will also see this new way to share on the Dropbox mobile apps and some versions of the Dropbox desktop app.

When you click the Share button, you can invite the people you want to collaborate with, and choose which permissions to grant them. Only people you explicitly share with are able to access these files.

Note: To accept an invitation to collaborate on shared files, the recipients must have Dropbox accounts tied to the email address you provided for them. Recipients that don't have Dropbox can create an account. Recipients with Dropbox under a different email can request access from a different email.

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

Invite people to collaborate on dropbox.com

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. In the list of your files, hover your mouse over the file or folder you'd like to share.
  3. Click the Share button that appears.
  4. In the pop-up window, enter the emails or names of people you want to collaborate with.
  5. If sharing a folder, decide if people Can edit or Can view. If you're sharing a single file, skip to step six.
    • Can edit means that people can alter, delete, or add the folder to their Dropbox.
    • Can view means that people can only view, comment, and download the folder. They can't edit the folder.
  6. If sharing a single file, the only option is Can view: people you share with can only view, comment, and download the file. They can't edit the file.

Can I still share a link to files that anyone can access?

You can still share files or folders with a Dropbox link that anyone can click. People who click the link don't need a Dropbox account to view your files.

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. In the list of your files, hover your mouse over the file or folder you'd like to share.
  3. Click the Share button that appears.
  4. In the pop-up window, click Create a link.
  5. Once the link is generated, click Copy link. The link URL displays and is highlighted.
  6. Copy-and-paste the link into an email, message, or wherever you want people to access it.
  7. Click Hide link to display Link settings. You can set permissions or expirations for the link, or delete the link.

How do I manage my shared folders?

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click Sharing.
  3. Click the ... button beside a shared folder to:
    • change shared folder settings (only if you own the shared folder)
    • remove your access, with the ability to add the folder back to your account
    • permanently remove your access

Invite people to collaborate on the desktop or mobile app

  1. Find the file or folder you'd like to share.
  2. Tap the downward arrow to reveal a set of actions.
  3. Tap Share.
  4. Type the names or emails of people you'd like to collaborate with.
  5. If you're sharing a folder, decide if people Can edit or Can view. If you're sharing a single file, skip to step six.
    • Can edit means that people can alter, delete, or add the folder to their Dropbox.
    • Can view means that people can only view, comment, and download the folder. They can't edit the folder.
  6. Type in an optional message and click Invite.

Can I still share a link to files that anyone can access?

You can still share files with a Dropbox link that anyone can click. People who click the link don't need a Dropbox account to view your files.

  1. Find the files you'd like to share with a link.
  2. Tap the downward arrow to reveal a set of actions.
  3. Tap Share.
  4. Click Get a link.
  5. On the share sheet that appears, click Copy link.
  6. Paste the link into an email, message, or wherever you want people to access it.
  1. Find the folder you'd like to share.
  2. Tap the ... (ellipsis) icon.
  3. Tap Share.
  4. Type the names or emails of people you'd like to collaborate with.
  5. Decide if people Can edit or Can view.
    • Can edit means that people can alter, delete, or add the folder to their Dropbox.
    • Can view means that people can only view, comment, and download the folder. They can't edit the folder.
  6. Type in an optional message and click Invite.

Can I still share a link to folders that anyone can access?

You can still share folders with a Dropbox link that anyone can click. People who click the link don't need a Dropbox account to view your files.

  1. Find the folder you'd like to share with a link.
  2. Tap the ... (ellipsis) icon.
  3. Tap Share.
  4. Under Who Has Access, click Get a link.
  5. On the share sheet that appears, click Copy link.
  6. Paste the link into an email, message, or wherever you want people to access it.
This new way of sharing files is not available on Mac computers at this time.
  1. From the Dropbox folder on your computer, right-click the file or folder you'd like to share.
  2. Select Share…
  3. In the dialogue box, type the names or emails of people you'd like to collaborate with.
  4. If sharing a folder, decide if people can edit or can view. If you're sharing a single file, skip down to step five.
    • Can edit means that people can alter, delete, or add the folder to their Dropbox.
    • Can view means that people can only view, comment, and download the folder. They can't edit the folder.
  5. Type in an optional message and click Invite.

Can I still share a link to files that anyone can access?

You can still share files or folders with a Dropbox link that anyone can click. People who click the link don't need a Dropbox account to view your files.

  1. From the Dropbox folder on your computer, right-click the file or folder you'd like to share.
  2. Select Copy Dropbox link.
  3. A link to the file or folder will be copied to your clipboard. Copy and paste the link into an email, message, or wherever you want people to access it.

Or:

  1. From the Dropbox folder on your computer, right-click the file or folder you'd like to share.
  2. Choose Share...
  3. Click Create link.
  4. Click Copy link.
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