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Can people without Dropbox accounts work on shared files?

Hi all,

I have a Dropbox Plus license. For a project I work together with two other people, none of which have a Dropbox account. I know I can share files/folders by using a link or give them permission to open a specific file/folder in my Dropbox account.

But is it possible for them to change a file/folder and upload it again to my account? When they do will Dropbox still sync the changes they made with my i-Phone and i-Pad?

What are the limitations when we use the folder in my account in order to work together, even if two colleagues do not have a Dropbox account?

Thanks in advance and with kindest regards, Leo.

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Dell_Dropbox

Hi @lpvmc

Great question. In short, people without Dropbox accounts can upload or replace files only in limited ways, and any changes they successfully upload will sync to your iPhone and iPad. For full collaboration, they would need their own Dropbox accounts.

That said, there are some important limitations to be aware of:

- People without Dropbox accounts cannot be added as full members of a shared folder
- They do not get automatic syncing on their own devices
- They cannot see version history or restore previous versions
- Collaboration features like real time updates and ongoing access are limited

If your colleagues need to regularly edit files and work together in the same folder, the recommended setup is for them to create free Dropbox accounts and then be invited to the shared folder. This allows seamless syncing, editing, and version control for everyone involved.

This page will help you understand the different kind of links you can create for people who do and don't have dropbox accounts

All comments

Dell_Dropbox

Hi @lpvmc

That said, there are some important limitations to be aware of:

This page will help you understand the different kind of links you can create for people who do and don't have dropbox accounts

lpvmc

Thank you very much. Very clear answer.

Kindest regards, Leo.

lpvmc

Hi,

Unfortunately I have forgotten to ask another question, related to the topic of filesharing with someone using a free Dropbox account.

I, the owner of the main folder and a Dropbox Plus account, can give them permission to share files. Do they download the folder then to their own computer or do they work on it in the cloud? After they have finished their work they should, in any case, put the file back in the cloud owned by me. In short: they should prevent that their own free account runs full, right. Is the way I described it above, the way to do tghat?

Thanks in advance. KR, Leo.

Mark

lpvmc wrote:
Is the way I described it above, the way to do tghat?

That wont work I'm afraid.

To get edit files without being a member of the shared folder. This uses quota of their account regardless of if they download it or work on it in the cloud. So, if they need edit access their quota size needs to be able to access that folder.

Your upgrade doesnt benefit them at all.

lpvmc

Hi,

My colleagues have signed in to a free Dropbox account. Next I started the set up to share files/folders with them. So I went to settings > checked invited people > checked the could edit files etc. Then I clicked a button: add members. To my surprise I got a box saying we should buy Dropbox standard. Unfortunately I don't see how to continue.

KR, Leo.

Hannah

Hey @lpvmc, can you send us a screenshot of that message, so we can have a visual?

Just make sure to hide any personal info, like names and email addresses.

lpvmc

Okay

Jay

Hi @lpvmc, what options do you get when you click on 'Not now' on the bottom right?

lpvmc

A page on licenses, add-ons and special functions. I do have a Plus-license by the way.

Jay

Are you certain that the new users didn't create a Dropbox team for themselves somehow?

Could you confirm that you're following the steps in this article?

What plan do you see according to this page?

lpvmc

Yes I did follow those steps. I did describe in an earlier post all the steps I made: settings > checked invited people > checked the could edit files etc. Then I clicked a button: add members. To my surprise I got a box saying we should buy Dropbox standard.

Dropbox plus, which expires 27-05-2026.

Jay

Thanks for the update, I think it would be best to contact the support team since they have more tools and steps available to troubleshoot this matter for you.
You can submit a ticket to the team via this link while logged into your Dropbox account.