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Forum Discussion
Recipient of shared folder having to buy space?
Why are the recipients of my shared folders being told they need to sign up and pay for dropbox or saying they need more space?
RFP1 wrote:
... but what if clients don't even have db? Do they still have to sign up to receive a shared folder from me?
Yes, a Dropbox account is required to join a shared folder.
If your clients only need to view or download the content, and have no need to upload files to you or modify the files in the folder, you can send a Shared Link to the folder instead. A Dropbox account is not required for a Shared Link.
- Do I need a paid plan to view a shared folder
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey Gareth2, thanks for posting your question.
Shared folders do take up space in each member's account, so each member will need enough space to accommodate the folder.
There are ways to earn bonus space, but if the folder is too large, the members might need to upgrade.
Otherwise, the owner can give view only access to the folder through a link and if the members need to upload files, the owner can send them a file request.
Hello, one of my clients has shared a Dropbox folder with me so we can work together remotely. They have a paid plan with 2TB data. I am unable to upload to the folder as "Dropbox is full". However, it's not full, only 2GB data has been uploaded to the shared file. We have reviewed and confirmed that she invited me to the folder from the account holder email address, credit card is up to date, folder is located within the paid account, and she can still upload.
Does every used need to have a paid account to use a shared folder?
- Hannah
Hey Adminable, thanks for reaching out to our Community.
I moved your post to this relevant thread, so you can take a look at the replies here for more info, but, indeed, a shared folder takes up space in each member's account.
If you want to upload files to your client's folder without affecting your space, they'll need to send you a file request.
I hope this helps!
Hi Hannah,
File request doesn't seem to be the answer. That will allow me to upload files but not see or download them. It seems that every team member would need to have an upgraded account to be able to use Dropbox as a shared folder for work. Is that correct?
Good morning to all of you
I have paid a subscription fee for several years and the other day I called Dropbox to check if you really need that subscription i.e. do I really use the storage space ?
Their answer was no "you are very far from it".
So I unsubscribed.
And oh surprise 3 days later : the system tells me "you cannot store and synchronize anymore" "you do not have the space any more" ?!?!?
That is really anoying as for example any new photo or document is no longer synchronized !
My usage of dropbox : a few photos (I regularly have clean-up days), 3 videos, some Excel docs and I have access to files a collegue of my posts there to share with a few of us.
My question to anyone out there is : I guess the documents my collegue posts, and to which I have access, is "counted" as part of the space I use ? If I ask him to take me off his "access list" would that solve my problem and liberate space ?
OR is there a way to dissociate "his usage" and my usage ?
Thanks for anyone out there who could help.
Have a great day
- Rich
Super User II
AlexanderBrdx wrote:
I guess the documents my collegue posts, and to which I have access, is "counted" as part of the space I use ?
When you're a member of a shared folder you have your own COPY of that folder in your account, so it uses space just like any other files you have. If you no longer want/need access to the shared folder, you can remove it from your account on your Sharing page.
Many thanks for your return and a solution !
Great
Have a good day
I share a dropbox with three others (I am not the host) to manage the financial affairs of a small charity). I am advised that my dropbox (which is free) has reached capacity and does not now sync. The host, nor the other user, has received the same message. The host has cleaned up their folder (and the files have gone from mine) but it doesn't make any difference. There seems no point to me upgrading to a subscription level if the host is not required to do so.
- Hannah
Hey Bedsguy52, I've moved your post to this thread, which seems to mirror your issue.
You'll be able to see more details about this in the replies above, but when it comes to shared folders, all members need to have enough space in their accounts to accommodate them.
Take a look at the info here and if you have any questions, let us know!
My clients are getting a 'dropbox is full' message when trying to upload to a shared folder. When I checked I have only used 36gig to 2 TB. How do I resolve this?
- Hannah
Hey Whitebullydog, I have moved your post to this relevant thread.
Shared folders take up space in each member's account, when they're shared with edit permissions.
You can see more info about this in the replies above and in this article from our help center.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
Hi, A client shared a dropbox folder with me so I can access his material and collaborate with him. Drop box tells me I have to upgrade to view his files. Is there a way to view files without me having to upgrade my account? The files sit on his paid account.
- Rich
SThornton87 wrote:
A client shared a dropbox folder with me so I can access his material and collaborate with him. ... The files sit on his paid account.
Actually, once you accept the share, the files exist in both accounts, which is why you need to have enough space in your own account to hold the shared folder. You're not accessing the files in his account. You get your own copy of the folder and any changes you make sync back to his copy.
Drop box tells me I have to upgrade to view his files. Is there a way to view files without me having to upgrade my account?If you only need to view and/or download the files, you can ask him to send you a shared link to the folder instead. If you need to be able to edit or add files in the folder so they sync back to him, then you need to have enough space in your account to hold the folder, thus you would need to upgrade.
Great thank you!
I have a space in my Dbox let say 100gb. When i share some folder to someone who has only 2gb space. The shared person space full by 2 gb why this is happening. ?????
- MeganHi satyapivot, wishing you a great week ahead.
Because the OP expressed the same concern, I've merged your question into this thread.
Feel free to take a look at what has been suggested here, and let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
- Rich
RFP1 wrote:
Why are the recipients of my shared folders being told they need to sign up and pay for dropbox or saying they need more space?
Are you on a paid plan? If so, you paid for more storage; they did not. Since a shared folder exists within the account of each member, they need to have enough available space in their own account to hold the folder.
So basically, Dropbox is double charging for the storage. If 4 people need to access a large file, they each have to pay for that one folder. Dropbox collects 4X. Extortion!
Yes I am on a paid plan. but what if clients don't even have db? Do they still have to sign up to receive a shared folder from me? Thanks Rich
- Rich
RFP1 wrote:
... but what if clients don't even have db? Do they still have to sign up to receive a shared folder from me?
Yes, a Dropbox account is required to join a shared folder.
If your clients only need to view or download the content, and have no need to upload files to you or modify the files in the folder, you can send a Shared Link to the folder instead. A Dropbox account is not required for a Shared Link.
