Start 2025 on time and up to date! Seamlessly integrate your calendars into Dropbox with these simple steps! 📆

Forum Discussion

novalin's avatar
novalin
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago
Solved

Sharing a file with people without Dropbox accounts

I have a PDF I want to share with people so they can download it, but I don't want them to have to create a Dropbox account (or sign in) to download it.   Is there a way to do this with Dropbox? ...
Download
Share
Shared Links
Web
  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    3 years ago

    Hey novalin, thanks for sending me the steps. 

     

    It sounds as if you've shared the file directly, instead of using a shared link. Can you try following these steps and share the link to them via an email or any other means? 

     

    They should be able to view the link without a Dropbox account too. 

novalin's avatar
novalin
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

Thanks for jumping in. Here's what I did:

 

  1. Logged into drop box
  2. Navigated to a folder
  3. Uploaded a PDF
  4. Clicked on the share icon
  5. Entered an email and clicked "share file"
  6. Recipient received an email and clicked the link
Megan's avatar
Megan
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
3 years ago

Hey novalin, thanks for sending me the steps. 

 

It sounds as if you've shared the file directly, instead of using a shared link. Can you try following these steps and share the link to them via an email or any other means? 

 

They should be able to view the link without a Dropbox account too. 

  • novalin's avatar
    novalin
    Helpful | Level 5
    3 years ago

    Hi. Using the "copy link" option also results in the recipient hitting a log in screen. However, you can dismiss the log in screen and still download the file. While it does work it's just a bad user experience to hit people with a disruptive log in screen.

    • Megan's avatar
      Megan
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      3 years ago

      Hi novalin! 

       

      I'll forward your feedback to the appropriate areas so we can continue to improve.

       

      I'll be one post away if you need anything.

      • novalin's avatar
        novalin
        Helpful | Level 5
        3 years ago

        Thank you Megan. Candidly, it appears Dropbox is prioritizing harvesting new accounts over a better UX, which is unfortunate.

About View, download, and export

Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!