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Running low on Dropbox space, just need to view shared folder item on iOS

I am using an Apple phone. My Dropbox storage is almost full. I only wish to view a shared folder. But every time I click the file, it takes me to an option to join a plan that increases my storage. I am able to bypass this on the iPad which allows to ‘view’ only. How do I do the same on the phone?

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Calvin2DBX

Hi @AbbyGail Yap,

Thanks for reaching out in our Community!

Let's see what we can do about that low space.

Click on "Shared" from your homepage on www.dropbox.com/home and set the filter to "Folders".

You can remove yourself from any existing shared items, for now, to see if that frees up enough space to be able to join the new item, instead.

Did they send you a link via email? A view only link is different to a shared folder because it won't use space at all on your side to view.

Can you send me a screenshot of the last page you're able to get to before it sends you to the information about upgrading?

Keep me posted!

AbbyGail Yap

This is the page

Calvin2DBX

Hi Abby,

Thanks for keeping me posted!

From that, we can see some of the folders are "not added", so they can't be using your space.

The missing piece of the puzzle is how large the item you need to add is going to be.

Can you ask the other side to use the calculate size option, and let you know what to expect?

If it's significantly larger than the storage available in your account's Plan tab, they can still share a "View only" type shared link instead (you don't need to add those to fit on your account, and can view them using the link all the same.)

Let me know what you find!

AbbyGail Yap

I don’t think it’s the mentioned issue cos I can access on my IPad. Persuasive it’s the way the Apple mobile is configured that I can’t get to the ‘view folder’ page cos it keeps taking me to the upgrade page

Hannah

Sorry to jump in here, @AbbyGail Yap.

Would you mind sending us another screenshot of the message you see when you're prompted to upgrade?

Was this folder shared with you through a link or did the owner invite you to the folder?

Calvin2DBX

Hi @AbbyGail Yap,

Did you check the emails signed into the apps?

If they are the same in the iPad app as on the iPhone app the behavior should be the same.

For example, if they sent you a link via email, and you tapped the link, it should take you to exactly the same view.

Is that how they shared with you?

A view only link won't use space at all on your side to view, either on mobile apps or the website or anywhere else you view it, unless you tried using the "Save to my Dropbox" option.

Let me know what you find about the emails, and confirm if they used a link to share the content with you, or if not, how it was shared with you and I'm sure we can help!

AbbyGail Yap

Yes email used is the same

AbbyGail Yap

How do I get this page on my IPHONE

AbbyGail Yap

My question is very simple…. How do I get pass this page cos I do not want to upgrade yet.

I can do it on my iPad…

Calvin2DBX

Hi @AbbyGail Yap,

Great job with the screenshots!

From those I can see it definitely isn't a shared link that they have sent you, so that's why you get to that screen.

You should be able to dismiss the prompt to upgrade, to view as you do on the iPad.

Try tapping the "x" to the right of where it says "Your Dropbox is full" at the top of that message, or the "^" arrow to the right of "Subscription details" at the bottom.

Other than that, you can ask them to send a link, which does not need any space on your side from the get go, which would negate running into that screen again for this item.

Hope that helps!

AbbyGail Yap

Nope the X takes me back to the menu and ^ shows me the terms and conditions ……..sighhhhh

Calvin2DBX

Hi @AbbyGail Yap ,

Sorry to hear that didn't pan out.

Have you tried asking them to send you a link to the content, so you won't get that screen in the first place?

johnysins

I'm using an Apple phone and my Dropbox storage is nearly full. I just want to view a shared folder, but clicking the file prompts me to join a plan for more storage. On the iPad, I can bypass this and simply 'view.' How can I achieve the same on my phone?

Calvin2DBX

Hi @johnysins,

Thanks for reaching out!

Seems you're running into exactly the same scenario here.

Ask the sender to create a view only link for you.

A link should be viewable on any platform (it won't depend on you using a tablet rather than a phone), rather than a shared folder invite.

Have you tried viewing from a web browser (i.e. Safari, Chrome or Firefox) on your mobile phone?

You can "Request Desktop Website" in most mobile web browsers when pages aren't displaying the same options like on larger screens.

Keep me posted!

AbbyGail Yap

I have the same issue but no answers…it’s not the link cos like they all say, it should work on all devices…..plus I have been accessing on both iPad and iPhone all these while until recently.

Probably need a die-hard Apple phone user to help us.

Walter

Hi there @AbbyGail Yap & @johnysins, sorry to jump in but I wanted to mention that our team is looking into this.

We'll make sure to keep you posted with any updates, but please let us know if you have anything else to add in the meantime.