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Forum Discussion
My client is asked to log-in to access my shared file
Hi There, I'm trying to get files to a client urgently for a press deadline. I shared a link to files—the usual way—and my client clicked the link from his email but he was asked to log-in. He said...
johniwhite wrote:
I suspect (hope) that this is just a temporary glitch on Dropbox though.
It's not a glitch. It's the way you're sharing the file.
If you use option 1, you're inviting someone to a file and a Dropbox account is required. It's an invitation to a specific individual, and to verify that they are who they're supposed to be, they have to sign in to an account using the same email that you used to send the invitation.
Option 2 creates a Share Link that anyone can use to access the file and a Dropbox account IS NOT required. Anyone that has the link can access the file. The ymay be prompted to create an account, but it's not necessary to access the file.
I created a picture folder. I have tried the following 2 ways to share the folder: (1) I clicked on the share icon that's on the same line as the folder I created, changed edit to view, added a list of recipients, added a message and sent it out; (2) I copied the view link, pasted it into an email message that I sent to the same list of recipients as in (1) above. When I check manage permissions, everyone except me is listed as view. Problem is that I've been told via multiple chat sessions that the recipients don't need to have a Dropbox account in order to view my folder's contents. Unfortunately, that not what my recipients are telling me. They are being asked to create a Dropbox account. People who try to view the folder that was shared via the share icon, are having an email sent to me asking me to approve their access. For those clicking on the link I copied and pasted into an email, they are being taken to a Dropbox login screen. Since I had already identified everyone as having "view only" permission on the folder, why aren't they being taken directly to the folder I've granted them permission to view?
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey Excalibur100, thanks for reaching out to us today!
Sharing the folder in the first way, even though the permissions are set to "can view", would indeed require your recipients to login to Dropbox.
Sharing a link to the folder, though, with "can view" permissions, shouldn't require them to login.
It may prompt them to, but they should be able to skip/close the prompt.
Can you double-check to confirm that you followed these steps?
