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tonyfr's avatar
tonyfr
Explorer | Level 4
7 years ago

Does the recipient of file need to pay a free to access and download files from Dropbox

Hi, I am using Dropbox Plus, I have uploaded approx 20GB of photos and videos in dropbox and given access edit rights to a small number of people overseas. Can you please advise if the recipients of these files are able to open and copy these files into their PC free of charge ?  I had one receipient advise me that he is only able to access approx 3 or 4 GB and has been asked to pay a fee to access more. Is this normal practice or is he doing something wrong ? I thought the recipient does not need a Dropbox account and does not pay anything to access files.

Please advise. Regards tonyfr

 

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  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    7 years ago
    Hey there ( tonyfr) , I’d happily send you the relevant steps to help you get going with the file transfer if you’d like to avoid affecting the recipient’s quota. 
     
    For starters, let me clarify that your Dropbox quota is calculated based on the total contents of your account, which includes shared folders. A Dropbox account can't sync more than its quota, so a 2 GB account can't sync more than 2 GB, including the space taken up by shared folders. Because every member of a shared folder can add and modify the files in the share, it takes up space in each member's account. (In other words, this is most likely the cause of the upgrade message they’re getting, as they can’t add the share to their account online if they don’t have the available space.)
     
    As a creative workaround, you could share a link to the folder instead, that will not impact their account allowance & will let them view or download a one-way, read-only copy. In case they need to contribute in a project or in any way send you files in return, you could send them a File Request.  (Note: I’ve also created a walkthrough on how you could go about with that here. )
     
    Hopefully this points you towards the right direction & please do let me know my advice works for you or in case you have additional questions about any of the above. Enjoy the rest of your day until we talk again! 
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    7 years ago
    tonyfr wrote:

    Using a link with a one-way read only would work as long as it permits the recipient to download the complete folders 20GB in total to their PC and from their PC be able to then print photos and be able to share these files amongst other members of the family by copying to other PC's.

    Yes, that's possible. Just be mindful of the traffic limits on your own account. With your Plus account, Share Links can only generate 200GB of traffic per day (a sliding 24-hour window). If you exceed this amount, all of your links will be temporarily suspended for 24-72 hours, with each progressive suspension lasting longer.

    20GB of data is a lot, so if you have a lot of people trying to download it all at once, you could easily hit your traffic limits quickly.

  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    Hey there ( tonyfr) , I’d happily send you the relevant steps to help you get going with the file transfer if you’d like to avoid affecting the recipient’s quota. 
     
    For starters, let me clarify that your Dropbox quota is calculated based on the total contents of your account, which includes shared folders. A Dropbox account can't sync more than its quota, so a 2 GB account can't sync more than 2 GB, including the space taken up by shared folders. Because every member of a shared folder can add and modify the files in the share, it takes up space in each member's account. (In other words, this is most likely the cause of the upgrade message they’re getting, as they can’t add the share to their account online if they don’t have the available space.)
     
    As a creative workaround, you could share a link to the folder instead, that will not impact their account allowance & will let them view or download a one-way, read-only copy. In case they need to contribute in a project or in any way send you files in return, you could send them a File Request.  (Note: I’ve also created a walkthrough on how you could go about with that here. )
     
    Hopefully this points you towards the right direction & please do let me know my advice works for you or in case you have additional questions about any of the above. Enjoy the rest of your day until we talk again! 
    • tonyfr's avatar
      tonyfr
      Explorer | Level 4
      7 years ago

      Hi Jane,

      Thanks for your reply, appears I did not have a full understanding of the quote system, since I have Dropbox Plus 1TB of storage I thought recipients could access this data without any restriction.  The files I am transferring are ony photos and videos taken on my holiday, sending to my relatives overseas, its not a project, not transferring back and forward. Using a link with a one-way read only would work as long as it permits the recipient to download the complete folders 20GB in total to their PC and from their PC be able to then print photos and be able to share these files amongst other members of

      the family by copying to other PC's.

      Please advise if this is achievable. Regards tonyfr 

       

      • Rich's avatar
        Rich
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
        7 years ago
        tonyfr wrote:

        Using a link with a one-way read only would work as long as it permits the recipient to download the complete folders 20GB in total to their PC and from their PC be able to then print photos and be able to share these files amongst other members of the family by copying to other PC's.

        Yes, that's possible. Just be mindful of the traffic limits on your own account. With your Plus account, Share Links can only generate 200GB of traffic per day (a sliding 24-hour window). If you exceed this amount, all of your links will be temporarily suspended for 24-72 hours, with each progressive suspension lasting longer.

        20GB of data is a lot, so if you have a lot of people trying to download it all at once, you could easily hit your traffic limits quickly.

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