How to save screenshots to Dropbox

The screenshot sync feature on the Dropbox desktop app allows you to automatically save screenshots to your Dropbox account and edit those screenshots directly through Markup.
 

Learn more about the Dropbox desktop app.


Once you turn this feature on:

• Screenshots will automatically save to a folder in your account called Screenshots.
• A link to the screenshot or or the image itself, based on your settings, is automatically copied for easy sharing.
   

This feature is only available on Mac and Windows computers, except Dropbox Lite.

If you’re on macOS Catalina 10.15 or higher, you’ll see a notification that says, “Dropbox would like to access files in your Desktop folder.” Click OK to ensure Dropbox saves your screenshots.

If you’ve previously dismissed this notification and would like to turn on this feature:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
4. Click Files and folders.
5. Click Dropbox.
6. In the dropdown, click the toggle next to Desktop Folder.

How to save screenshots to Dropbox on Mac and Windows computers

To automatically save your screenshots to your Dropbox account, you must take them using your computer’s native screenshot function:

• On Windows computers, use print screen or control-print screen. 
• On Mac devices, use command-shift-3 or command-shift-4.

To automatically save screenshots to your Dropbox account on a Mac or Windows computer:

1. Make sure the Dropbox desktop application is installed.
2. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
3. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
4. Select Preferences.
5. Click Screenshots in the left sidebar.
6. Toggle Save screenshots to your Dropbox to On
   
    

From this screen you can select whether a link to the screenshot, or the screenshot itself is copied automatically.

• On Mac, use the dropdown next to When screenshot is ready to select image or link.
• On Windows use the Copy link to clipboard toggle to automatically copy a link to the clipboard.

You can also select whether or not you want Dropbox to display a pop-up with quick actions such as markup, delete, or copy link, after you take a screenshot.

Enable or disable this thumbnail by clicking the Show quick actions after screenshot toggle.

When you take a screenshot, a link to that screenshot, or the screenshot itself will be copied. You can paste the link or image where you'd like to share it.
 

Where do my screenshots go?

Your screenshots will be automatically saved in a folder named “Screenshots”. You can find this folder in your personal space on Dropbox (the folder with your name on it).
 

How to edit screenshots directly using Dropbox Markup

You can make edits directly to screenshots using Dropbox Markup.

To open a Markup session:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Right-click or hover over the file you’d like to edit.
3. Select Open Markup from the menu.
    

Alternatively, after taking a screenshot, you’ll be able to click  (highlight) on the prompt that appears to open a Markup session immediately.

From the markup window, you can:

• Add text
• Draw
• Add lines and shapes
• Crop
• Blur
• Highlight

How to choose if screenshots save to your team or personal account

If you have a Dropbox team account, and you’ve connected it to your personal account, and linked them both to your computer, you can choose which account your screenshots save to.

To do so:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click Screenshots in the left sidebar.
5. Select Personal Dropbox or your team Dropbox account from the dropdown below Save screenshots to your Dropbox.

Can I save screenshots to Dropbox on a mobile device?

The screenshot feature isn’t available on mobile devices. As an alternative, you can use the camera uploads feature to automatically upload your camera roll to Dropbox.