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shared links vs folders and use of storage space

I am confused about the difference between shared links and shared folders.

here it says that if I create a shared folder it uses my storage space but if I create a link it doesn't

https://help.dropbox.com/storage-space/storage-space

but it seems they are basically the same now, as in if you create a link you are doing the same thing as if you create a shared folder.

is this article out of date?

I was wanting to create a link to share some large files and so that it is not included in the recipient's storage space, but whenever they receive the link (or shared folder invitation), it just asks them to join the folder, and the files are included in their storage space anyway.

is there no option to just share a link any more and for the recipient to see the files but not have them included in their storage space?

or how do I do this?

thanks!

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Mark

Hi @buckleyp

You have slightly mis-read it.... the article is on about recipients and their quota. If you send somebody a shared LINK then they dont need to add it to their Dropbox account and as such it doesnt use their quota. A shared folder with read/write access DOES use quota.

However, as the files are on your account they use space - thats how you can create said links.

@buckleyp wrote:
is there no option to just share a link any more and for the recipient to see the files but not have them included in their storage space?

Send them a shared link 🙂

buckleyp

I was exactly meaning THEIR quota.

I sent them the link, but all they can do is "join" the folder, which means it then ends up being included in their quota.

I cannot see a difference between sending a shared link and setting up a shared folder.

thank you!

Mark

Have you given them edit access? For that it has to be a shared folder

buckleyp

Well the create link seems to be able to be either edit or view, but I only need view in fact.

Mark

On my machine here I simply right click the directory and choose 'copy dropbox link'.

If you just click on 'Share Link' on the website it seems to now auto add on editing rights.

Try clicking on the three ...'s next to the folder/file name, then Share with Dropbox and use that to create a view only one if its via website

buckleyp

but then see what happens when it is received... the recipient has to "join" the folder meaning it then becomes part of the recipients quota.

Hannah

Hey @buckleyp, if your recipient is getting a message to join the folder, when opening the link, it means that the link you created is a "can edit" one.

If you're doing this from the website, hover over the folder you want to share, click on the share icon (rectangle with an up arrow) and you should be able to access the settings, to make sure you're getting a "can view" link instead.

buckleyp

the behaviour is the same for read only also.

Hannah

Would you mind opening your link from a private browsing/incognito window yourself and let us know if you see the same thing?

If so, please send us a screenshot of the message you see.

buckleyp

This is the link opened in a private browser windows.

Join folder uses up quota, copy to dropbox uses quota, download is outside of dropbox. no other options!

Screenshot 2024-01-09 at 10.19.24.jpg

Hannah

Thanks for the screenshot, @buckleyp.

The contents of the folder is that video that appears there, right?

So the contents are visible by the recipients.

The blue "join folder" button is basically just a prompt, it's not necessary for your recipients to click it, if all they need, is to access the contents.

For sure, they can't add it to their Dropbox if they don't have the space to do so, but the download button should allow them to download the contents to their computer.

buckleyp

but they cant then access that link through the desktop/iphone app, only the web.

Hannah

If the link is clicked while on a computer, it will indeed open on a browser, but they should also open it from their phones.

buckleyp

it doesn't show up in the app unless you join it (which uses quota).

Hannah

Is it possible to send us a screenshot of what the recipient sees when accessing the link from a mobile device?

buckleyp

there is nothing in the app, that's the point. the only thing they get is the link e.g. via email, then they would go to the screen I gave above.

it seems not possible to see links (not shared folders) in the app at all any more, is that right?

Megan

Hi @buckleyp, I tested it on my end, using an incognito tab on my iOS mobile, and a shared link.

On the top right part of the screen, it prompted me to open the app -provided that a user already has it installed on their device- in order to view the file there.

Rich

@buckleyp wrote:
it seems not possible to see links (not shared folders) in the app at all any more, is that right?

You can still view links in the app. I tested it this morning as well with a view-only link. After tapping the link I was immediately redirected to the app (which was already installed) where I could view the file.

buckleyp

How do you add these links to the app without joining the folder (and thus the recipient using up their quota for it)

ahsieh

Thank you for reaching out @buckleyp ! I wanted to follow up and address your question above with an update we're making across Dropbox.

Removal of the Join Folder Option from View-Only Shared Folder Links

We introduced the capability to join a folder directly from a view-only link to make collaboration even easier. While well meaning, we don’t always get it right. We've heard your concerns, and after careful consideration, we've decided to remove this feature. This change will be implemented within the next couple of days. Going forward, recipients visiting a view-only folder link will no longer see the option to Join Folder. No action or setting modification is required on your part. This change affects both new and existing view-only folder links.

Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we encourage you to share any further thoughts or questions you might have. Please let us know if this solves the problem you've been running into!