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I can't access shared folder due to lack of storage space - do I need to upgrade?

I use dropbox occasionally. I have a free account, one I've had for years. This morning I logged in to access some files a friend shared w/me & dropbox will not let me access it unless I upgrade to some "plan". That page is the same page with which I was greeted upon logging in. I'm at about 650 mg of my 2G free account limit. I am not over storage, unless my free account has been somehow restricted/modified.

I've tried several times to access the notification to "join folder" from my friend, only to be taken to this prompt:

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jst601

I see it now. Apologies. The folder size the guy is sending is 4G. 🤦‍♂️

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jst601

I see it now. Apologies. The folder size the guy is sending is 4G. 🤦‍♂️

Hannah

Hey @jst601, thanks for your post!

I'm glad to see that you figured this out.

If you need to access the folder in question, a workaround would be to ask the owner for a shared link, which will give you view-only access and won't affect your space.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

vr24

If someone sends a shared link to a folder to me, can I search in that linked folder?

Mark

vr24 wrote:
If someone sends a shared link to a folder to me, can I search in that linked folder?

You will be able to navigate it as a folder directory on the website

However, there is no search capability

vr24

Thanks. Is there any other way to search in a shared folder, without upgrading my storage limit?

Mark

There is no search function available on links that I'm aware of. So, if you want it on your Dropbox you'll need to upgrade.

OR ask for a transfer/download link and download it all to your machine and use Finder/Explorer etc. to search the downloaded content instead

vr24

Thanks. I don't need to edit the files. So there is no need to store copies of them in my folder on dropbox or elsewhere. But I do need to search through them. I can view the folders but the regular search option is not available. Not very logical. It basically drives the user to upgrade to just effectively view files that another user is already storing on dropbox. Thought there would be an option, but guess not.

vr24

Perhaps a feature Dropbox can add? )

Theresa

Hi @jst601 and welcome to the Dropbox Community. I am glad to see that you have found out what the issue was regarding the folder you were trying to receive ✨.

I'm Theresa a Community Manager here at Dropbox HQ 👩‍💻and I just wanted to check in and see if you got to view this folder as a shared link? I hope everything’s all sorted, but if not, just give me a shout, I’m happy to help 🤗.

T 😺 (Dropbox Community Manager)

jst601

I needed to access the files asap so I purchased extra storage space on a monthly basis. I'll cancel that soon, as I don't need "cloud" storage 12 months out of the year.

ASIFA

This just happened to us and it made me aware that this is a SERIOUS drawback to using Dropbox. I work for a non-profit and we recently signed up for a Plus plan to share organizational files with our board members, who need to occasionally add documents to our org's folders. We have only used about 2GB of our 2TB. However, many of our board members have a free account, and now all of their personal accounts are full. It makes no sense that what one account is paying to host counts towards every other collaborator's usage. If they put it in our folder, it should count toward our usage. This seems like price gouging and is manipulative towards users and will likely lead us to cancel our account and find something that actually works.

Mark

ASIFA wrote:
It makes no sense that what one account is paying to host counts towards every other collaborator's usage

It does - it costs Dropbox to host and serve those files and also support the users involved.

ASIFA wrote:
This seems like price gouging and is manipulative towards users and will likely lead us to cancel our account and find something that actually works.

Thankfully this is the amazing benefit of a free market - services like Google operate differently, however, the flip side is your data is mined for advertising revenue. But, its whatever works for the user.

Cachehit

I have the same issue. The folder being shared is also 4G. But I am unclear on the model here. Someone else is sharing their storage with me. Why do I need my own storage, even for editing it. Is that the model? I have to pay for storage before I can edit someone's files?

I see the option to share a read-only copy, but I do want edit permission.

Mark

Cachehit wrote:
Why do I need my own storage, even for editing it. Is that the model? I have to pay for storage before I can edit someone's files?

Basically, yes, if the folder is larger than your free space.

You get 2gb free space to start with (it can be higher via referrals etc.). If you need access to more than that you need to pay - even if its to access another users shared folder and regardless of if they pay or not.

Rich

Cachehit wrote:
Someone else is sharing their storage with me.

Also, they're not sharing their storage with you. That's not how it works. They're sharing the files specifically, and in doing so you receive your own copy of those files in your account. You're not accessing them directly in someone else's account. Since the files exist in your account, they take up space, and you need enough space to hold any files in your account.

Cachehit

Thanks for clarifying it.

DropBox has to make money somehow and they get set their own pricing structure, but this really is awkward for some applications.

Mark

Cachehit wrote:
DropBox has to make money somehow and they get set their own pricing structure, but this really is awkward for some applications.

They do yes - because remember they dont make it via things like adverts (Google), hardware (Apple) or software (Microsoft).

BUT thankfully, it is a free market so if it isnt working for you, there are others out there