How to create an AI-protected copy of an image

Updated Nov 09, 2026

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This article describes a feature available to customers on Dropbox Advanced, Enterprise, and Standard.

AI protection creates a copy of your image with an imperceptible watermark. The watermark is designed to reduce the risk of unauthorized generative AI training. Your original image remains unchanged.
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Note: You can apply AI protection to one JPG/JPEG image at a time. The image must be smaller than 10 MB.

How to create an AI-protected copy on dropbox.com

To create an AI-protected copy:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
    • You can also click Folders in the sidebar to find your image.
  3. Select the JPG/JPEG image you want to watermark.
  4. Click ☑ (more options).
    • If you’re in grid view, click ☑ (more options).
  5. Click Protect my image.
  6. Review the confirmation message.
  7. Click Create Copy.

You’ll receive a notification in the Activity tab when processing succeeds or fails. The notification remains available after your session ends.

When processing succeeds, Dropbox saves the AI-protected copy in the same folder as the original image. Dropbox adds _ai_protected to the filename. For example, sun.jpg becomes sun_ai_protected.jpg.

FAQs about AI protection

Is the watermark visible on my AI-protected image?

No. The watermark is designed to be imperceptible to the naked eye.

Does AI protection change my original image?

No. Your original image remains unchanged. Dropbox creates a separate AI-protected copy.

Does AI protection affect image quality?

The watermark modifies the image, but the AI-protected copy is designed to look similar to the original.

Does the watermark remain if I edit the AI-protected image?

Yes. The watermark remains if you crop, resize, compress, take a screenshot of, or convert the AI-protected image to another format.

Can I remove the watermark from an AI-protected image?

No. You can’t remove the watermark from the AI-protected copy. Your original image remains unchanged.

What images can I apply AI protection to?

You can apply AI protection to JPG/JPEG images only. You can process one JPG/JPEG at a time, and it must be smaller than 10 MB.

Where is my AI-protected image saved?

Dropbox saves the AI-protected copy in the same folder as the original image. Dropbox adds _ai_protected to the file name. For example, sun.jpg becomes sun_ai_protected.jpg.

Can I choose a different file name or folder for the AI-protected copy?

No. Dropbox automatically names the AI-protected copy and saves it in the same folder as the original.

Do I need to keep Dropbox open while my image is being processed?

No. You can continue using Dropbox or leave the page while your image is processed.

How will I know when my image is ready?

You’ll receive a notification in the Activity tab when processing succeeds or fails. The notification remains in the Activity tab after your session ends.

What happens if Dropbox can’t process my image?

If Dropbox can’t process the image after retrying, the request fails. You’ll receive a notification in the Activity tab.

Is there a limit to how often I can apply AI protection?

You can make up to 20 AI protection requests in a 10 minute period with a maximum of 240 per day.

Does AI protection prevent AI models from training on my image?

No. AI protection is designed to reduce the risk of unauthorized generative AI training. It doesn’t guarantee that an AI model can’t use your image for training image.

Will Dropbox use my image to train its AI models?

No.

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