How to Back Up Files with Dropbox from Android/iPhone/PC? Answered
Using cloud storage to back up files is increasingly common because it allows access anytime, anywhere. Among many options like Google Drive and OneDrive, Dropbox stands out for its wide compatibility across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. For new users unsure how to back up files with Dropbox, this article provides a clear step-by-step guide.
Before performing the backup, you need to know what can be backed up to Dropbox at first. The file types that can be uploaded to Dropbox include: Text messages, Video, Audio, Photo & DCIM Photo, Apps, and Documents like Microsoft Word or PDF. Then you can start syncing the files from Android/iOS device or computer to Dropbox now.
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Part 1: Back Up Android Files to Dropbox
To sync the files on your Android device to Dropbox, you can:
Step 1. Download Dropbox from Google Play and follow the instructions to properly install it.
Step 2. Launch the application on your phone and then sign in your Dropbox account and password. Here, if you don't have an account, you need to sign up at first.
Step 3. Open the Files folder and you will see a "+" icon at the bottom-right. Just click on it and select Upload files.
Step 4. After that, a pop-up window will appear to ask you "What would you like to upload?" with "Picture", "Video", "Audio", "Any file" listed as choices. You can select the one you want to upload and tick it off.
Step 5. Finally, you need to click the UPLOAD button to start the syncing process.
When the uploading process ends, you can sign in to your Dropbox account on your computer to check whether your Android data has been successfully uploaded to Dropbox.
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Part 2: Sync Files from iPhone to Dropbox
Actually, the method to sync iDevice files to Dropbox is similar to the means of uploading files from an Android device to Dropbox:
Step 1. Open the Dropbox program on your iPhone or iPad and log in to your Dropbox account.
Step 2. Click on the three dots icon, namely the menu option at the top-right corner of the interface.
Step 3. Select the option Upload files and then you can backup the pictures that are saved in your iOS device or iCloud Drive.
Step 4. Just tick off the files that you want to backup and simply tap on UPLOAD button to start the backup process.
Part 3: Upload Files from Computer to Dropbox
You can also upload your files from a PC to Dropbox. However, the means to perform the uploading process on the computer would be totally different from the methods on mobile phone. The specific steps to backup files on PC to Dropbox could be:
Step 1. First of all, you need to download and install the Dropbox program on your computer.
Step 2. Sign in your Dropbox account. If you don't have a Dropbox account, you need to create one. After signing in to the account, the Dropbox folder will appear on your desktop and the location of Dropbox is "C:\Users\Computer Name\Documents\Dropbox.
Step 3. Then you can back up the important files from your PC to Dropbox by dropping the data into the folder directly. And these added files will be automatically uploaded to the Dropbox website server.
The free storage space of Dropbox is limited to 2GB. So if you want to back up more files, you need to get more free Dropbox space at first or you need to pay for it.
Extra Bonus: You can also back up your Android files to your computer or export files from the PC to your Android phone by using the MobiKin Assistant for Android (Win & Mac). It is a good way to sync the files as well since Dropbox sometimes fails to back up or crashes for unknown reasons.
Q&A about Backing Up Files from Android/iPhone/PC with Dropbox
Q1: Can Dropbox automatically back up photos and videos?
A: Yes. The Camera Uploads feature automatically backs up new photos and videos.
Q2: Does Dropbox support automatic PC backup?
A: Yes. Dropbox Backup can automatically back up folders like Desktop, Documents, and Downloads.
Q3: Will deleting a file on my device remove it from Dropbox?
A: Yes, if syncing is enabled. Deleted files can still be restored from Dropbox’s version history.
Q4: How much free storage does Dropbox offer?
A: Dropbox provides limited free storage, with paid plans available for more space.
Q5: Can I access my backed-up files offline?
A: Yes. You can mark files for offline access in the mobile app.
Q6: Is Dropbox backup secure?
A: Yes. Dropbox uses encryption during transfer and storage to protect your data.
Q7: Can I back up files using mobile data?
A: Yes, but it may consume significant data. Wi-Fi is recommended for large backups.
Q8: What happens if my backup is interrupted?
A: Dropbox resumes uploads automatically when the connection is restored.
Q9: Can I back up external storage files to Dropbox?
A: On Android and PC, you can upload files from SD cards or external drives.
Q10: Can I back up files from both Android and iPhone to the same Dropbox account?
A: Yes. One Dropbox account can back up files from multiple devices, including Android and iPhone.
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