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Is there a free version of Dropbox I can install on my iPad?

I use the free version of Dropbox on my MacBook and would like to share that folder on a newly purchased iPad (I've never used an iPad before). If I go to the iPad App Store and download it it seems to insist on doing a one month free trial for the subscription version. I'd like to stick with the free version however when I look it up on my iPad web browser and click on the DropBox offer to get the free version, once I login I appear to be in that shared folder *however* all of this is happening within a safari page, whereas I thought it was downloading and launching a free version of the app. Does this mean I can only access the contents of the dropbox folder via a browser page? Thanks.

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Paul D.4

Now that I'm using the iPad app and not DropBox via a brower page... rtf files open. thanks

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Paul D.4

When I look at the contents of the share dropbox folder most documents will launch correctly whether they be MS Word, PDFs or JPEG however RTF files don't launch into anything, what can I do to open these text files?

please note that it seems free DropBox on iPad only works within a browser page, true? What follows is a post about that…

Megan

Hey @Paul D.4, let's jump right into this!

It's not entirely clear to me what is happening on your end, after you download and install the mobile app on your iPad, so let's try to break it down.

After installing the app, you should be able to sign in, and use our app for free, without using a trial. Would you mind letting me know what happens when you try to launch our mobile app?

You also mentioned that you had some issues launching RTF files. Does this happen on your browser when you use your iPad?

Do you get any specific errors on your end? Feel free to send me any screenshots that you might be having on your end -disclosing any personal info- in order for me to have a visual of the process too.

Thanks a bunch!

Paul D.4

Hi Megan,

Thanks for your reply, I will try to clarify. When I go to the App Store on the iPad and download the app, it launches once I login and the only options I see are one month free trial (and then once that's over) two kinds of subscriptions. I did not want to accept the free trial if it transitions to the paid version in a months time. So I deleted the app in order to start over. Maybe I rushed to judgment and you can tell me a way out of that “fast track” to a subscription that I don't want.

(I don’t want to install the app again to send you screenshots of the fast-track to PAY until I hear back from you)

Since it was a bust going the App Store route with this experience I just described, I instead used a web search page to find *free* Dropbox. I landed at a Dropbox web page and clicked the button to start using the free version and once I logged in… Presto there were all of my files from the shared folder in a DB environment. So I *mistakenly* thought the app had downloaded and I was working in the real app environment - I was wrong I was still in a browser page that looks like the full dropbox environment. In summary I feel like I'd rather be operating within the real DropBox iPad app if it's free and not a browser page rendering the dropbox environment/interface. Is this clearer?

Thanks,

Paul

p.s. I rarely use the web interface to interact with my DB files and folders but *much* prefer the Mac environment that treats the DB folder like any other - but as a bonus - backs up to the cloud.

Paul D.4

I should've had that the outcome I'm hoping for is that if I successfully install free Dropbox on my iPad it will sync folders that the 2 GB worth of files and folders I have on my Mac will actually *reside locally* on my iPad and I will not be at the mercy of a Wi-Fi connection to access them

Megan

Hey @Paul D.4, awesome job on the details, thanks for that!

Sort answer is, yes. The app is free, and can most definitely be used with a free account.

I'm assuming that maybe you missed an "x" button, allowing you to proceed with a Basic account. Or, another thing for you to check on your end, is to make sure that you don't have more than 3 devices connected to your Basic account.

This might be the culprit there. If however, that's the case there, you might still be able to remove some unwanted devices, and sign in using your iPad.

Oh, and another thing I wanted to mention! When using our mobile app, your content doesn't sync locally. It's functioning more like the website.

But you can surely make content available offline, if you wish to work on it without the need of your WiFi.

Paul D.4

Thanks Megan,

So far the only device where I really use the dropbox folder is on my MacBook. I have dropbox installed on my iPhone but I hardly ever use it. Can you clarify where I would encounter the x button? Would it be at the end of the install process where I'm presented with the different subscription options? When I reinstall I just want to make sure I'm looking for it in the right context.

I will read up on that link about making content available off-line.

-P

Jay

Hi @Paul D.4, you should have the option to complete the installation of the app without needing to upgrade.

Could you attach, or copy and paste, a screenshot of what you're seeing in your next reply in order to assist further?

Paul D.4

Indeed the subscribe options screen seemed inescapable but Megan was right it's a window one can click "x" on the upper right to bypass. *Never* would have noticed that without help. Thanks.

Paul D.4

Now that I'm using the iPad app and not DropBox via a brower page... rtf files open. thanks