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How I Use Dropbox: Tell us how YOU use Dropbox!

Amy

We have shared a lot of stories about how we use Dropbox, from using Dropbox to plan a wedding to organizing and planning a project, and now we want to focus on you and how you use it! So, to start, we would love to hear about how, and why, you started to use Dropbox.

Whether it was to make sure your photos were safe, or to scan and save your receipts, or to work on a group project, we want to hear about it!

Leave your stories in the comments, we want to learn from you - the more we know about how you use Dropbox, the more we can share tips and tricks that make sense for you.

Looking forward to seeing your comments below!

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How I Use Dropbox

Comments

maher1982

Hi, Back in 2014, our manager introduced Dropbox to our team as a solution for safeguarding our files and avoiding data loss. It was a great way for us to work together on projects by collaborating and editing files in real-time.

As I became more familiar with Dropbox, I discovered the convenience of having all my files accessible through the phone app. This feature was a game-changer for me. I started scanning and saving my personal important documents, such as IDs, passports, certificates, invoices, and even medical reports. It was incredible to have them readily available whenever I needed them.

What I truly appreciate about Dropbox is its reliability and user-friendly interface. It became my go-to platform, and I haven't looked back since. It feels like home to me, and I can't imagine switching to another similar application.

F 1

My first experience with Dropbox was when I wanted to safely security my files and photos. That's when I thought about Dropbox, I keep my files and photos safe and secure for a long time 😄. Sharing access is very powerful and easy-to-use.
I salute you the team, keep it up.

Gamgam

I used Dropbox To keep my documents and file safe and secure

stephenroberts999

I travel a fair amount with a laptop. I like idea that my data is securely stored in the cloud with local mirroring so I have access to my data online or offline. I also like the easy-to-use interface.

Thanks Dropbox!!

ganesh1

Power to access files from anywhere. In short, mobility

Ease of usage and smooth uploads

NMarquina

My company uses Dropbox and the employees use it to do document version control and centralize access.

NanoExplorer

I started using Dropbox a very long time ago as a free user. At the time, I think free users got 2 GB of storage plus some extra room earned by using features like camera upload or linking certain apps. I think I earned around 5 GB this way, and ~7 GB was plenty of space.

Fast forward to a couple years ago, and the free plan was restricted to only three devices. I needed to sync files over more than three devices, so I started shopping around to see if I could find other options. I think I tried one of the DIY "cloud" storage programs (syncthing) for a while, but when I investigated competitors like onedrive, box, google drive, etc, I found out that Dropbox is the only one that natively supports syncing to Linux!! I use Linux, Mac, and Windows on a regular basis, and it is important to me to be able to access all my files with ease on all platforms. So I finally got Plus in February 2020.

I don't use many of the features like vault, paper, or passwords, mainly sticking to the core ability to sync files. I do use file requests from time to time. File requests and link sharing are best ways I have to exchange large files with people without using a flash drive.

Jay

Hi @RayM, if you don't want the folders to even appear on the local machine, you could use the selective sync feature.

Otherwise, you could mark the folders as online-only, so they will appear, but won't sync the data down to your machine unless you (or another app) chooses to access those files.

RayM

Jay,

Thank you. I found it prior to your post.

Ray

Enrico P.3

Back in 2010, when I started my residency at the university, I picked Dropbox to keep all my important stuff safe, ranging from notes and ebooks to all sorts of projects. It turned out to be a real lifesaver during a group project set up by one of my tutors, which had a bunch of us working together; Dropbox made it super easy for everyone to get along and share stuff. Even after finishing my studies, I’ve stuck with Dropbox for keeping my professional files, which are nearly hitting a whopping 1 TB now. I find it super handy to grab and work on files whenever I need to, especially since my own computer doesn’t have enough space to hold everything.

What I really rate about Dropbox is that it’s always there and reliable. It’s a big relief knowing that, no matter what happens to my computer – whether it breaks, gets stolen, or whatever else – I can just hop back on and get back everything that matters.

Pelikaan

I use Dropbox for many many years (cn't remember since when) as my way to approach files online when I am 'down the road' and consider Dropbox as a secure backup system. Dropbox has never let me down and the few issues, often caused by ignorance, have always been solved via the advices received from the community.

grenadahouse

I saw my brother, who is a lawyer, close his computer at office one day, while he had been working on a document, and said he would continue it at home, and he didn't have to copy the document onto a flash drive or email it to himself. I said WOW! Then a friend send me an invitation to sign up. I happily pay the subscription every year because it has reduced stress greatly!

SampsonPoh

I'm new in Dropbox. I'm just use keep some inportant photo and inportant document. I'm like to know more about Dropbox because I just wanted to open a online shop. Can know how to be keeping the shop documents and self documents. And can share with my online group too.

stevel3o7

Dropbox used to be go to backup system. In 2023 the system quit backing up my important files. I can manually upload an important folder to dropbox and the files show up. But, dropbox does not sync new files in that folder! I checked dates and found that ANY FOLDER I created after summer of 2023 IS NOT BACKING UP!
I searched dropbox help files and all I got were messages, flyers and popups for me to UPGRADE MY ACCOUNT, even though I am at less than 50% capacity.
JUNK JUNK JUNK JUNK
I started with google drive until that turned to junk, and now am dropping dropbox for the same reason. I am just venting, I am sure nobody at dropbox give a rip if I leave.

Debells29

I started using Dropbox back in 2015, a photographer wanted to share a file with me and asked me to download it. I did and realised I was missing out. I started using it for my school work, for projects and saving my documents. I am so happy that after so many years I can still access these documents.

Amy

Hi @Enrico P.3, thanks for sharing, this is great to hear and we're delighted to hear you've been with us for so long! I would love to know more about how you use Dropbox as part of your professional workflow!

Also, I would love to share your quotes in another post in the future, would that be ok with you?

Amy

Hi @Pelikaan - this comment has just made me smile so much! Glad to hear that the Dropbox Community has helped you out! I would love to chat to you more about that, if you would be interested? Would you mind if I reach out to you by email to chat more?

Amy

I love this comment @grenadahouse! Seeing something work so simply is the dream - and I'm glad it's worked well for you too. I would love to share your quotes in another post in the future, would that be ok with you?

Amy

Hi @Debells29, thank you for your comment! Glad to hear this, I think photos are definitely one of the most popular ways that people discover Dropbox, and I'm so glad to hear you still have access to those memories.

Do you still use it for new photos or is it just a trip down memory lane now?

Amy

Thanks for sharing @maher1982! I can definitely relate to having your docs handy, when I moved house, it was so helpful to have my moving list wherever I was, as well as all my docs for the paperwork too.

Glad to hear you've been with us for a decade now!

Amy

We'll try our best @F 1!

Debells29

I stopped for awhile but I have now resumed. I have seen alot of new features i would like to explore.

Amy

Thanks @stephenroberts999, glad to hear it's working for you! Do you use Dropbox for personal use or work? I hope I'm not being too nosy, I just love knowing more about how people make the most of their access, so I can try to share tips that are useful 😁

-21JO-ZUpkbRMJ

I just found it wanted to see what it was

stephenroberts999

I use DB for both work and personal. I also use google MyDrive but find it less intuitive and rather clunky compared to DB.

_MKT

The company I freelance for added me to their Dropbox enterprise account where our team of designers and marketing managers can save and access files on dropbox from work or home seamlessly, since covid lockdowns this became our new normal. I never work in the office, but we can all jump in on each-others files if someone is sick or if I pick up something someone else started - easy.

I work directly from dropbox from my mac as a designer, using adobe suite, I virtually never use the web version - although quickly learned when links annoyingly open in-browser you can click ... and choose "open in finder". I save shortcuts to my sidebar for files i'm working on by dragging the folder sideways onto it to access them.

It's worked brilliantly for a good 3 years until a dropbox update broke our ability to view online only file thumbnails and quicklook (spacebar) previews on Macs... so we all have to keep clicking "make available offline" which then downloads 1-5 gb of data A DAY to our mac's just to view jpg/gif/pdf/indesign/illustrator file thumbnails we are working on. Half the time I'm just trying to find and old image or file I need, or wanting to browse a folder of 200 images and select 10. Obviously I'm not going to open them all one by one, and downloading them all just to find a few is tedious. At the end of the week I try to remember to make them all online only again but it's a hassle and it used to be better - when I forget for a few weeks I find my 2TB mac studio filling up fast.

I store my personal files on icloud drive (family subscription), which works a lot better BUT doesn't have the ability to "rewind" a folder or file. This dropbox feature has saved me a handful of times when i've accidentally deleted or saved over the wrong thing. PLEASE make that feature available in the desktop app without having to go through browser!!

So far that one feature has kept me on dropbox for work, I'd have paid for a personal account by now if the thumbnail issue was fixed.

pritam wu

我正在換新電腦系統，造成新舊兩部電腦同時存在現象，這不會很久，等新電腦系統完全安裝完並穩定一些時間後，舊電腦就會登出Dropbox 帳號

stephenroberts999

Dear Dropbox: "Hear-hear" !! Please restore the functionality which MKT points out.

pritam wu

II am just an ordinary user. I only use Dropbox to synchronize some commonly used data between my PC and my mobile phone.

Graham

Thanks for the response @pritam wu, we really appreciate it! Are you mostly using Dropbox for work, or is it more for personal stuff?