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No longer able to view a shared folder on iPhone.

Hello, I have always been able to view a shared folder for free, without upgrading. It seems something has changed and there's many of us using iphone, unable to access and view a shared a folder for work. Andriod users within our company are unaffected. Message is drop box is full and to increase storage. How can we navigate this, something must have changed within iphone setting??

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Megan

Hi @Darleen2, I hope you're doing well!

To begin with, do you try to access the shared folder using the mobile app, or the browser on your iPhone? Also, what does your account's plan page report, in regards to the account's space?

If you could also attach a screenshot of the error message you get when trying to open the folder, that'd be great!

Wishing you a great day ahead, and waiting for your reply!

Darleen2

Thanks Megan,

I use the app on my phone as well as through the browser and same error as below. For our company, anyone using android is fine. The iphone users are all having the same problem, which has only occured recently. I can access no problem via MacBook but my phone has htese errors, hope you can help please!

Megan

Hi @Darleen2, thank you for the screenshot, and extra info!

If you tap on "See all" do you see the folder in question as "Not added" to the account?

Essentially is this a folder that you've already added to the account, or just an invite to add it? Also, when you say that you can access the folder on your MacBook, do you mean when you open your Dropbox folder locally?

Can you send me a screenshot of how it appears there?

Darleen2

This is a view only folder with no edit permissions. We can normally get to it via a link as long as we are logged in, however that is no longer working for Apple users.

If you tap on "See all" do you see the folder in question as "Not added" to the account? Answer - No I don't.....

Megan

Hi @Darleen2, just to clarify a tiny detail there: is this a shared folder, or a shared link that you're trying to view?

And provided this is a shared folder, is it already added to the account? Can you view it when you visit Dropbox online, outside of the app?

If this is a shared link, does it open when you try to view it using your mobile's browser?

Darleen2

Hi Megan, I believe it is either – we shared the folder via email as view only, but we also shared it via a view only link (and it doesn’t seem to work with either).

A collegue was able to access using iphone today then did an update on phone and now has same problem. We are at a loss as to why this is happening

Hannah

Sorry to jump in here, @Darleen2.

Just to clarify, a shared link gives view-only permissions on a folder, whereas a shared folder needs to be added to someone's account to be accessed and also takes up space in the account.

How are you opening this link? Do you have it in an email and when you tap on the link, it just opens the app?

If you copy and paste the link to your browser manually, what do you see?

Jenkel

Hi,
I’m trying to view a shared folder my instructor sent to the class. It contains videos. I was able to join the folder but when I click on the folder to view the videos, I get a pop-up saying I need to upgrade. One of the drop downs on the pop up says I should be able to view it, just not save it, but I can’t figure out how to make that happen. I’m on the iOS app. Thank you!

Megan

Hey @Jenkel, I hope you're doing well!

You mentioned that you were able to join the folder successfully, is that right?

If you visit your account online using your browser, are you able to see the content there? Could you send me a screenshot of the message you get on your end, when trying to access the files in said folder?

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!

AdeBu

Hi is there an update on this as I am having exactly the same issue since upgrading to IPhone 15?

AvidiKadivi

I have some folders that were shared with me by other Dropbox users with that have audio and video files. I used to be able to preview the folder to see/hear the media content in the folder without having to add the folder or take on that extra storage space. Is that no longer an option? Now when I try to open them I just get the pop up asking if I would like to upgrade with no preview option anymore.

AvidiKadivi

For example: when I click to view the folder, the very first FAQ says “can I save this without upgrading?”

And the response says that you can view the folder but won’t be able to save any of the content.

However, I don’t see that as being the case. It doesn’t allow me to just view the folder.

Can anyone help with this?

AvidiKadivi

There hasn’t been a clear answer in this entire thread. The last comment was asking about how to be able to preview the folder on IOS and the Dropbox help user asked them to provide information from the browser view… which is unrelated to the issue at hand.

Hannah

Hey @AvidiKadivi, thanks for the nudge here.

I understand where you're coming from and I will make sure you comments are passed along to our team.

Regarding your issue, if the owner of the folder sends you a 'can view' link instead, are you able to access it?

AvidiKadivi

Hi Hannah, thank you for your response.

I think the main issue people are having is based on folder size. Whether the folder is shared or a view only link is shared, it seems that if the content exceeds the 2GB free account limit, users without premium storage are unable to view it. Through some trial and error, I found out that if below the 2GB limit, you can view shared folders or links. The issue being presented here is that the idea of being able to “preview” which once existed, is no longer an option. Even when the shared item is under 2GB and viewable, when clicked to view on IOS it automatically adds it to your storage.

What is being addressed in this thread is that removal of the preview option for shared items. Does that still exist or no? When the shared item is above 2GB we are getting the notification of “not enough storage” with a list of FAQ and a tab to upgrade storage. (See screenshots shared earlier in this thread). The first FAQ is what is misleading and what I assume brought on the start of this discussion. In that first FAQ it is asked if we can still see the folder content without membership or without saving and the Dropbox response says that we can preview the folder and its content but will not be able to save it.

Therein lies the confusion. The “preview” option that once existing, is being told still exists, but is nowhere to be found as an option to choose.

I hope this helps clarify what people are pointing out and asking.

AvidiKadivi

There is also a consistent theme in this thread now where once someone gives a good explanation as to what the issue is, Dropbox moderators stop responding.

AvidiKadivi

Pinging this again in hopes it’ll bring response. I’ll keep doing this weekly if necessary. Please provide an update or answer.

AvidiKadivi

Pinging again for moderator response

Walter

Hey @AvidiKadivi - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please let us know some additional information so that we can assist further?

For example, what is your device's exact OS version and the version of the Dropbox app installed there?

Are you able to view the share on the website normally?

AvidiKadivi

Hi Walter. I have the newest IOS AND Dropbox app updates. They are both up to date. The same issue happen on the computer as stated in this thread by other users.

Walter

So you're unable to join this folder from your sharing tab on a web browser on your computer too @AvidiKadivi?

AvidiKadivi

Hi Walter. Please read the messages in the thread. Everything has already been explained. There used to be an option preview shared folders without subscription and there is no longer that option even though it is advertised as one.

Jay

Hi @AvidiKadivi, we appreciate your comments about the change to this feature.

We take all feedback into consideration when looking to improve the Dropbox site and services.