Dropbox is an app that uses cloud data management to share files between different computers, tablets and phones. With a Dropbox account, you can easily share any file to your iPad and you can even use it to stream your video files that don't play in iTunes. Dropbox allows you to sync your files across your accounts and computers, and you can use them to share and collaborate with others.
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Part 1 of 5: Installing Dropbox
Step 1. Download the Dropbox app from the iPad App Store
You can download it for free.
- Run the App Store. Make sure you are connected to a network.
- Search for "Dropbox".
- Tap "Get" and then "Install" next to the Dropbox app in the search results. This app may take a few minutes to download and install.
Step 2. Run the Dropbox app to start creating a new account
Dropbox accounts are free and come with 2 GB of storage. You can pay to increase your available storage space.
Tap "Sign Up" and follow the prompts to create your account. If you already have an account, you can tap "Sign In" to get started
Step 3. Decide if you want to enable "Camera Upload"
When this is enabled, any new pictures and videos taken with your iPad will be automatically backed up in your Dropbox account. You can turn it off or on later if you change your mind.
If you're only using a free account, you may want to turn this feature off, as pictures and videos will quickly fill your Dropbox
Part 2 of 5: Getting to Know the Dropbox App
Step 1. Select the File tab to view your files
This is the tab that opens by default when Dropbox starts and will show all the files and folders stored in your Dropbox account. Selecting a file will display a preview of that file in the frame on the right.
- When you first run Dropbox, the only thing you'll find here is a "Getting Started" document outlining some of the basic features of the computer version of Dropbox.
- You can use various folders to organize your files. Click here for more details.
Step 2. Select the Photos tab to view various photos stored in your Dropbox account
These photos will be sorted by upload date.
Step 3. Select the Favorites tab to view the files that you have marked for local storage
Anything in your Dropbox account that you've marked as a Favorite will be downloaded and stored on your iPad. You will then be able to access these files even if your iPad is not connected to the internet.
Click here for more details on marking files as Favorites
Step 4. Select the Settings tab to customize the app and your Dropbox account settings
This tab will allow you to see how much of your available storage space is, turn Camera Upload on or off, enable passcode lock for the Dropbox app and connect your Dropbox app with a computer.
Part 3 of 5: Connecting a Computer
Step 1. Visit the Dropbox Connect website on your computer
Enter dropbox.com/connect into your computer's web browser. You'll see the Dropbox logo converted to a scannable code.
Dropbox is very useful when installed on all your devices. This will allow you to easily share files between all the devices that have Dropbox installed
Step 2. Go to the Settings tab within your Dropbox app
Step 3. Tap "Link a Computer"
Dropbox will ask for permission to access your iPad's camera, which will be used to scan a barcode during the setup process. If you have denied this once, go to the Settings tab, select Privacy, then Camera and then toggle the Dropbox option to ON.
Step 4. Tap "Yes, continue" when asked if you are anywhere near your computer
Step 5. Point your iPad camera at the screen so that the Dropbox logo appears on the iPad screen
Hold down the iPad for a few moments so it can scan the code.
Step 6. Run the installer program
Once the code is scanned, the Dropbox website will download an installer for the computer version of Dropbox. Run the installer once downloaded to install Dropbox on your computer.
Step 7. Open the Dropbox folder on your computer
You can access your Dropbox folder via the shortcut icon on your desktop or by selecting Dropbox from the Favorites section of Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Anything added to your computer will be accessible on your iPad and vice versa
Step 8. Install Dropbox on all your devices
Dropbox is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Windows Phone. You'll be able to make the most of Dropbox if you have it across your devices.
Part 4 of 5: Adding Files to Your Dropbox
Step 1. Add files by using the Share button of any other application
The main way to add a file to Dropbox from your iPad is to share it from another app.
- Open the file in the application that normally handles these files. For example, if you want to add a photo to your Dropbox, first open the photo in your Photos app. If you want to add an email attachment, open the email attachment in your Mail app.
- Tap the "Share" button. It looks like a box with an arrow pointing outward at the top. This will open the Share menu.
- Select "Save to Dropbox" from the second row. If you don't see it, tap "More" and then toggle the Dropbox option ON.
- Select the location on your Dropbox where you want to save the file. All of your folders will be listed, with your last location listed at the top of the list.
- Tap "Save" and wait for your file to finish uploading to Dropbox.
Step 2. Add files from within the Dropbox app
You can use the "Add Files" function in Dropbox to add files from your Photos app or your iCloud drive.
- Launch the Dropbox app and select the Files tab.
- Tap the "…" button at the top of the Files list.
- Tap "Add Files" and then select where you want to add a file from. If you select "Photos," Dropbox will ask for permission to access the photos on your iPad. If you select iCloud, you will be shown the files and folders on your iCloud drive.
- Selecting a file will upload it to Dropbox.
Step 3. Drag and drop the file into the Dropbox folder on your computer
You can add any file from your computer to your Dropbox folder and it will be available on your iPad as soon as it finishes uploading. The upload time will depend on the size of the file and your connection speed.
Part 5 of 5: Managing Your Dropbox Files
Step 1. Open the file using Dropbox
You can use Dropbox to open files on your iPad that you've added from your computer. Any files that can be opened using the iPad's Preview function (images, documents, PDFs, etc.) will be displayed in Dropbox. If your iPad doesn't natively support that file type, you'll need an app that does, to be able to open that file type.
Dropbox can stream multiple video formats without the need for another app. However, if the file is already marked as Favorite, you will need an application that supports that file type
Step 2. Sort your files into various folders
Folders can help you to keep all your files organized.
- Tap the "…" button and select "Create Folder" to add a folder to your Dropbox. You can also create subfolders within a folder using the same method.
- Tap the "…" button and tap "Select". This will allow you to select multiple files at once.
- Type "Move" at the bottom of the list after selecting the file. You can then select a folder in your Dropbox to where you want to move the files.
Step 3. Set files as Favorites
Favorites are files that you have marked for local storage on your iPad. This allows you to be able to access these files when your iPad has no network connection.
- Launch the Dropbox app and go to the Files tab.
- Tap the file you want to add to your Favorites list.
- Type the Star button above the file preview. Repeat for any other files you want to add to your Favorites.
- Tap the Favorites tab to see all the files stored locally on your iPad.
Step 4. Share a folder with others
You can share various folders in your Dropbox account with other people. They will have access to the folder you shared, but not to any other files in your Dropbox.
- Open the folder you want to share.
- Tap the Share button at the top of the open folder. It looks like a box with an arrow pointing outward at the top.
- Choose how you want to share the file. If you select "Send Link," you'll be given a link to the Dropbox folder so anyone with the link can download the file. If you select "Invite People", you can add users who will be able to edit and sync the folder with their own Dropbox account.
