Hot Tips on Using Dropbox on Android Devices [Essential Skills]

There are millions of people owning a Dropbox App on their Android phones but a few people can make full use of this great application. Therefore, to help you make full use of Dropbox, this tutorial is written to tell you how to use Dropbox on Android. With these useful tips, you will be able to share, backup, access, and protect the files in Dropbox without any hassle.

Tip 1. How to Share Files and Folders in Dropbox?

One of the main features of Dropbox is to share files or folders with others so it is essential for you to know how to share files and folders in Dropbox. To complete the sharing process, you have two methods:

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Method 1. Invite other Dropbox users to the folder or file

When your receiver is also a Dropbox user, you can simply share the files or folders by inviting him/her. By using this means, you can co-edit the folder or file with the receiver. In addition, all the members of the shared file or folder can comment on the documents and sync the comments across all members.

But here you need to know one thing in advance: only the contacts on your phone can be invited. So just add the receiver to your contacts list beforehand.

Now let's see how to invite Dropbox users to a file/folder.

Step 1. Launch the Dropbox on your Android and then go to the folder or file you want to share.

Step 2. Next, just tap on the arrow down icon beside the folder to display the menu and then select Share from the listed options.

Step 3. Enter the name of the receiver and a drop-down list will show with contact suggestion as you type. Just select the one you want to invite and click Can edit or Can view to set editing permission or view-only permission to the receiver.

Step 4. At last, you can tap on the send icon at the top right corner to send the invitation.

Here, if you just want to share a single file in a certain folder by sending an invitation, you can only give view-only permission to the receiver.

Method 2. Send a link via social software

Another option is to send a link to your contacts on social software like WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Line, Twitter, Viber, etc. as long as you have installed the application on your phone. The following are the details about how to send a link via social software:

Step 1. Open Dropbox on your phone and find out the file or folder you want to share.

Step 2. Tap on the arrow-down icon and select Share from the pop-up window.

Step 3. Next, you need to select the option Create a link and decide which application you want to use to share the link, including message, WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, and so on.

After sending the link, the recipient will be able to access the file or folder by clicking the link.

Tip 2. Backup Android Files (Apps, Photos, Docs, etc.)

The second main function of Dropbox is to back up Android files. This is a good way to prevent your files from being lost. You can upload the files on your phone like images, videos, applications or other documents to Dropbox and then you are able to view and use them even when your phone is stolen. To achieve this goal, you only need to sign in to your Dropbox account and download the files from it.

Then, how to upload the Android files to Dropbox? Here is a tutorial about that:

Step 1. Click on the Files option on your Dropbox and then tap on "+", which will bring up the option - Upload photos or videos or Upload files.

Step 2. Select the APK file, audio, video, photo, and docs to upload and then they will be saved on Dropbox.

Step 3. After that, you can delete the original file on your Android phone to free up the device.

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Tip 3. Access Text & Photos Offline

After uploading the files, it is certain that you can access the files on Dropbox freely when the phone is connected to a good network. But what if there is no network connection available? How can you access the text messages, photos, or other files offline? In this case, you need to add the important files to the Offline folder:

Step 1. Open the file that you want to see offline.

Step 2. Click the arrow-down icon and turn on the feature Available offline.

Step 3. Go to the Offline folder and then you can see the selected files offline.

You can also save the files to your Android phone so that you can view them on your device directly. Just tap on Export> Save to device.

Tip 4. Set a Password to Protect Dropbox Files

File security is another factor that most users care about. And if you want to protect the files that you have saved in Dropbox, you can set a passcode for the files. This would greatly prevent your data from being revealed.

Step 1. Enter the Settings section of your Dropbox and go to the Advanced feature.

Step 2. Next, you need to enable the feature Turn passcode on and type in a four-digit passcode twice.

Step 3. You can also select to turn on the Erase data feature to enhance the protection. After enabling this feature, Dropbox will erase the data after ten wrong passcode attempts.

FAQs about Using Dropbox on Android Devices

Q1. How do I install Dropbox on an Android phone?

Open the Google Play Store, search for Dropbox, and tap Install. After installation, sign in with your Dropbox account or create one if needed. Once logged in, your files will sync automatically.

Q2. Does Dropbox automatically back up photos on Android?

Yes, Dropbox offers a Camera Uploads feature. When enabled in settings, photos and videos are uploaded automatically when the device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. This helps prevent loss if the phone is damaged or reset.

Q3. Can I access Dropbox files offline on Android?

Yes, files can be made available offline. Tap the three dots next to a file and select Make available offline. This allows access even without an internet connection.

Q4. Is Dropbox safe to use on Android?

Dropbox uses encryption to protect files during transfer and storage. Additional security options, such as two-step verification, can be enabled for better account protection. This helps keep personal and work files secure.

Q5. Why isn't Dropbox syncing properly on my Android phone?

Sync issues are often caused by poor internet connectivity or background restrictions. Check that sync is enabled, battery optimization is disabled for Dropbox, and the app has the necessary permissions. Restarting the app or phone may also help.

Q6. How much free storage does Dropbox offer on Android?

Dropbox provides limited free storage for new accounts. More space can be gained through referrals or by upgrading to a paid plan. Storage limits apply across all devices linked to the same account.

Q7. Can I delete files from Dropbox on Android without removing them from my phone?

Yes, deleting a file from Dropbox only removes it from cloud storage. If the file was previously downloaded for offline use, you may need to remove the offline copy separately. This helps free cloud space without affecting local files.

Q8. How do I recover deleted files in Dropbox on Android?

Deleted files can be restored from the Dropbox website within a limited time, depending on your plan. Open a browser, sign in to your account, and check the Deleted files section. This feature is useful if files were removed by mistake.

Q9. Can I scan documents directly into Dropbox using Android?

Yes, Dropbox includes a built-in document scanner. Tap the "+" icon and select Scan document to capture paperwork using your camera. The scan is saved as a PDF or image in your Dropbox folder.

Q10. Does Dropbox work with other Android apps?

Dropbox integrates with many Android apps, allowing files to be opened, edited, or saved directly. You can choose Dropbox when sharing files from supported apps. This makes file management more streamlined.

Q11. How do I change where Dropbox stores offline files on Android?

Dropbox manages offline files within its app storage and doesn't allow a custom folder location. However, you can remove offline access at any time to free up space. Storage usage can be monitored in the app settings.

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