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Forum Discussion
Leslie B.8
8 years agoNew member | Level 2
when trying to accept an invitation to a shared folder, dropbox wants me to create a new account
A friend sent me an invitation to join a shared folder. When I tried to accept it, Dropbox asked me what I wanted to do with all my files! It wants me to create a whole new dropbox account in order to keep my files separate from the folder I've been invited to join. This has never happened before and I can't find a way around it. I just want to join the shared folder- I absolutely do not want to create a new dropbox account in order to do so. I already have a dropbox account!
Leslie
Here is the hard truth, based on the screenshots that you gave, and thanks a bunch for those, the invitation is not from a regular Dropbox account. It could be that the other person has accepted a trial run of Dropbox for business or even a free Team account, but no matter, its another set of rules. I will list a bunch of Help Center
Articles at the end of this post for your reviewHere are a bit of facts. You would want to have a new account since once accepted, you lose ownership of that account, Another point is after joining a Business team if the team admin decides to remove you from the team, the account is deleted. It does NOT get returned to the previous owner. So this is a different ball game, a different Dropbox experience. I would recommend reading up on it to see if you want this.
HELP CENTER ARTICLES:
- Can I have two Dropbox accounts on the same computer or device?
- How can I switch the email addresses between my personal and business accounts?
- How do I connect or disconnect a personal Dropbox from a Business account?
- How do I move files between my two Dropboxes?
- How do I sign in to my personal Dropbox and work Dropbox on my devices?
- What happens when I connect a personal and work Dropbox on my devices?
Hi Leslie B.8,
From your screenshots, it looks like your friend invited you to join their team. Accepting the invite would change your account to a Business account. This does not sound like what you are trying to do. I would ask your friend to resend the invitation to join the shared folder following instructions here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/files-folders/share-with-others
Shared folders in business accounts may have restrictions on sharing out of the team. If this is allowed by the team admin, the user would see a warning that they're sharing out of the team, and the share will go through. If the admin has prevented sharing out of team, then your friend should talk to their admin about what they are trying to accomplish and why they need to share outside the team.
- MapleDropbox Staff
Hi Leslie B.8,
From your screenshots, it looks like your friend invited you to join their team. Accepting the invite would change your account to a Business account. This does not sound like what you are trying to do. I would ask your friend to resend the invitation to join the shared folder following instructions here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/files-folders/share-with-others
Shared folders in business accounts may have restrictions on sharing out of the team. If this is allowed by the team admin, the user would see a warning that they're sharing out of the team, and the share will go through. If the admin has prevented sharing out of team, then your friend should talk to their admin about what they are trying to accomplish and why they need to share outside the team.- Leslie B.8New member | Level 2Thank you both so much. My friend is going to try again! I appreciate your help!
- Chris_JSuper User
You are very welcome, that is why we are here for. Hope you get what you need.
- Chris_JSuper User
Leslie
is it possible that the sender invited you to the shared folder, using an email address that is not associated with your email address that you are using for your registered Dropbox account? if so, then ask the sender to invite using the correct one.
Hopes this helps
- Leslie B.8New member | Level 2
Thank you for that, but no. She used the only email I've had for years. I don't know what is going on but it's really frustrating.
- Chris_JSuper User
Leslie
it must be frustrating and I am sorry you are experiencing this. I haven't heard of this problem so bear with me as I try to be of assistance.
how did you receive notice of this invitation? Also as of late, you should get a notification of an invite thru the website. If you go to https://www.dropbox.com/share/folders do you see any notification of a invite to a shared folder?
Are you using the Desktop Client? also, can you try it again and possibly give us a screenshot of what happens when you accept the invitation to a shared folder and upload it here for review.
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