Yes, you need a Dropbox account to join a shared folder. Files in a shared folder sync between members in their Dropbox accounts, so you need a Dropbox account to access and sync changes.
If you invite someone without a Dropbox account to a shared folder, they will need to create an account to join the folder.
If you don’t have a Dropbox account, you can:
Not using Dropbox yet? See how Dropbox makes syncing files easy.
FAQs about file sharing without a Dropbox account
Can I receive shared files when I don’t have a Dropbox account?
You don’t need a Dropbox account to view the files in a shared link, and you can download those files to your computer. Files that you download from a shared link won’t sync with Dropbox if you edit them.
Can I upload files to Dropbox without a Dropbox account?
You can’t upload files to Dropbox without a Dropbox account. However, if a Dropbox user sends you a file request, you can upload files to their file request without a Dropbox account.
Can I download a file without a Dropbox account?
You don’t need a Dropbox account to download the files in a shared link. To download a file, open the shared link and click the download icon (down arrow with a line under it) in the upper right. Files you download from a shared link won’t sync with Dropbox if you edit them.
Do you need a Dropbox account to view files?
You don’t need a Dropbox account to view the files in a shared link.
Do you need a Dropbox account to receive files?
You don’t need a Dropbox account to receive files via a shared link.
