Using the Dropbox Gmail Add-On
The major advantage of sharing files through Dropbox, rather than Google Docs, is that with Dropbox you are sharing a link, rather than adding the attachment. Eliminating attachments saves valuable space in your Google account.
You can use the Dropbox Gmail add-on whether you’re working on a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux operating system. You can also access the Dropbox Gmail add-on within the Gmail app on both Android and iOS devices.
How to Enable the Dropbox for Gmail Add-On
Here’s how to get started. We’ll start by activating the Dropbox for Gmail Add-on.
While on your computer, open Gmail, click + on the right sidebar, located halfway down the screen within your inbox. Click Get Add-ons. A pop-up window will appear showing available add-ons. If Dropbox does not immediately appear, use the Search button to find Dropbox. Click Dropbox to initiate installation. Select Install. You will be asked to log into your Dropbox account. Once the add-on is enabled, you will see the Dropbox logo on the right side of your Gmail inbox screen, halfway down, just above the +.
Saving an Attachment to Dropbox With the Gmail Dropbox Add-On
Now that you have the Dropbox for Gmail add-on installed, you can begin to use the add-on to attach files to your emails. Here’s how to do it.
Open an email that includes a file attachment (s) in your Gmail account. Click the Dropbox icon in the right-hand sidebar. The application will quickly scan the email to find the attachment. Once the pop-up window appears, on the right side of the window, you will see the attachment, including details and the name of the file. Select which file(s) you’d like to save to Dropbox. Once you’ve clicked on the attachment, your Dropbox files and folders will appear. Click the folder location that you want to save the file. Or, create a new folder by clicking +. Click Save. Once your files are saved, you can locate them by opening your Dropbox account in your browser. From there, you can move, share, delete and manage your files, and also check your storage limits, which we will discuss later.
Sharing Files Through Dropbox With the Gmail Add-On
You can also share files from your Dropbox account when composing a Gmail message.
From your Gmail account inbox, click Compose in the top left side of the page to begin writing your email. In the compose window, you will see the Dropbox icon at the bottom of the email. Click the Dropbox icon to see a pop-up window of your Dropbox files and folders. Select the file you would like to share, and click Insert Link.
Saving Files With the Mobile Version of Dropbox Gmail Add-On
Once you have integrated Dropbox and Gmail on your desktop, the Dropbox icon will show up within the Gmail app on both Android and iOS devices. The first time you open your Gmail inbox on your mobile device, you will see the Dropbox icon at the bottom of your screen as an available add-on. Tap the Dropbox icon to sign in to your Dropbox account.
Saving a Gmail Attachment to Dropbox on Android
Here’s how to save a Gmail attachment to Dropbox using the Android app.
To save an attachment in a Gmail message to Dropbox, open the email message and tap the Dropbox icon at the bottom of the message. Tap the file you want to save Choose the folder you want to save the file to, then tap Save.
Sending a Dropbox File From the Gmail App on Android
Here’s how to send a Dropbox file from the Android Gmail app.
Tap the compose pencil at the bottom right of the Gmail app. Tap the More menu icon (three vertical dots), then choose Insert from Dropbox. Tap on the file you want to attach or tap the + icon next to it.
Sending a Dropbox File From the Gmail App on iOS
Here’s how to send a Dropbox file from the iOS Gmail app.
Download the iOS Dropbox app, and sign in to your account. From the Dropbox app tap the file or folder you would like to share. On the next screen, tap Share, at the upper left-hand side of the screen. A window will pop up at the bottom of the screen asking you to enter an email, name or group to share the file.
Limiting Who Can Edit and Who Can View
When you share files and folders with Dropbox, you can customize whether recipients have the ability to edit or view your files. To set permissions on your computer, open Dropbox, and scroll through the list of folders. As you hover over the name of a folder, a Share button will appear on the right side of the screen.
Click Share, then click the dropdown menu that appears, select the recipient, and chose Can Edit, Can View, or Remove.
How Much Can You Store on Dropbox?
A Dropbox Basic account is free and includes 2 GB of space. Your space includes your folders and files, along with any files and folders that are shared with you from other Dropbox account holders. When files are shared with you, these files count toward your storage limit.
Dropbox Plus is a paid subscription that includes 1 TB of space. Pricing depends on your billing country and which subscription plan you choose.
To check the amount of storage you have used, check your Dropbox account page. The bar under your email address shows the remaining Dropbox space.
Traffic Limits
In addition to Storage space, Dropbox also imposes Traffic Limits. Shared links and file requests are automatically banned if they generate unusually large amounts of traffic. Link traffic can add up quickly if you share the file with a large number of recipients that download the file multiple times. Each download counts toward the limit, even if it is done by the same recipient. If you publish the link on social media, the number of downloads can grow exponentially very quickly.
The Dropbox Basic, free account traffic limits are:
20 GB per day: The total amount of traffic that all of your links and file requests combined can generate100,000 downloads per day: The total number of downloads that all of your links combined can generate.
Dropbox Plus, Professional, and Business accounts:
200 GB per day: The total amount of traffic that all of your links and file requests combined can generateThere’s no daily limit to the number of downloads that your links can generate
Even if your links or file requests are banned, you will still have access to your Dropbox account and all your files.
Safeguards for Lost Devices
In the event that you lose your device, or if your Dropbox account has been hacked, Dropbox includes a Remote Wipe.
