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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.
Yep, Google make it easy. No need to sign-up or sign-in to view a shared file on Google Drive.
(Google B------s)
I suspect (hope) that this is just a temporary glitch on Dropbox though.
John
Rich
Super User II
Super User II
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.
Saying it over and over doesn't make it true. No matter what you say, DropBox does suffer from a glitch in sharing. Without changing a single property of the file being shared, my students were suddenly told the link was to a file that had been deleted. I navigated to the folder, right clicked the file, got a new dropbox link, and pasted into the page. Now any time I click that file it says sign in required. There is no by passing it to get to the file either, it is simply prohibited from viewing until sign in. The really stupid part (and why this is clearly a glitch) is that every other file in the same dropbox account that is linked in the same way works fine. That is, NONE of them require any login. It is just this one file and it has nothing to do with me sharing a folder as you keep suggesting. I realize that may be many people's problem but you are not actually reading these replies if you keep posting the same bull**bleep** solution.
Thanks very much for your help Rich.
John
This is not what I am seeing. Not sure how to attach a screenshot. Thanks.
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey Derek W.5, you should be able to add a screenshot through the camera icon (insert photos option) within your reply box.
While we're at it, could you confirm you're following these steps to share your files?
JasonSilverDBXDropbox Product Manager
This is a great answer that Rich has provided. I only want to add one important thing to the link sharing option mentioned. For the link to provide access all recipients without them having to log in, make sure the "Who Can Access" link setting is set to "Anyone with Link".
Exact format and options may vary slightly depending on the link type and if you're on a team or individual plan, but here is a picture for reference from a Pro account for a view only access file link.
If your link settings are correct and your recipients are still having to login to view, then please contact Dropbox support so they can walk through your exact issue with you in detail.
