Why was I sent a file request?

If you received a file request, it means that someone with a Dropbox account would like to collect files from you. 

You don't need a Dropbox account, or need to be signed into one, to respond to a file request. However, if you do have a Dropbox account, you can sign in and upload files right from your account.

Not using Dropbox yet? See how Dropbox helps you effortlessly share files and folders.

How to send files through a file request

You may receive a file request in an email or as a link. To send files to a Dropbox user through a file request:

1. Open the file request invitation or click the link you received. 
2. Click Add files and select Files from computer, Folders from computer, or From Dropbox.
3. If you have more files to upload, click +Add more files.
4. Once you've added all the files you want to upload, you may be prompted to enter your name and email address so that the file requester knows who uploaded the files.
5. Click Upload.

A green check mark appears to show you’ve successfully uploaded your files.

FAQs about uploading to a file request

Do file requests have a deadline?

If you received a file request invitation in your inbox, the email includes details on whether there’s a deadline to upload your files. Here’s what you should know about deadlines:

• The time and date of the deadline are in the file requester’s time zone
• You’ll receive one reminder email to upload before the deadline
• If you forward the file request invitation to someone not originally invited by the creator of the file request, they will not receive a reminder email
• You won’t receive an email update if the file request creator changes the deadline
• If the person requesting files allows late submissions any files uploaded after the deadline will be accepted, but marked as late

Why didn’t I receive a file request I was expecting?

If you're expecting a file request invitation but didn't receive one, try the following:

• Check to see if the file request invitation went to your spam folder
• Clarify your email address with the file requester
• Add no-reply@dropbox.com to your email contacts and ask the file requester to resend your invitation
• If the above steps do not resolve the issue, please contact your email provider, or ask the requester to copy the link to their request and send that to you instead.

Why do I get an error message when I try to upload a file?

There are several reasons why you might see an error message when trying to upload files to a file request. Here are a few error messages that you may see and how to fix them:

Error: Please upload files under 2 GB.

If the file request was created by a Dropbox Basic, Plus, or Family user, you can only upload files up to 2 GB. For files larger than 2 GB, consider using a shared link. 

Note: File requests created by Dropbox Business team members or Professional users can accept files up to 50 GB in size.

Error: [Requester’s name] doesn't have enough Dropbox Space for these files.

Ask the file requester to check how much space they have in their Dropbox account.

Error: Something went wrong. Please try sending your files again.

If the file requester has enough space in their Dropbox account and the file is under 2 GB, try to upload to the file request in a new browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari) or in an incognito/private browser window. You can also clear your browser's cache and reattempt uploading the file.