Despite its popularity, Dropbox is basically not the best option in terms of free space. There are similar services which offer more spacious free space. However, if you can’t turned away from Dropbox, there are ways you can try to get the most out of your Dropbox free account.
As you knew, the main service of Dropbox is online storage. However, you can also take advantage of it for other needs. For instance, you can use Dropbox as a collaboration tool. Dropbox also has a service to enable you creating documents online, Dropbox Paper.
The use of Dropbox will be more optimal if you upgrade your free account to paid one. There are several additional features (and space, of course) you going to get. But, just like I said, there are some ways to get the most out of your Dropbox free account if you think that it’s not the time to upgrade your account. Here are some tips you can try.
1. Maximize your chance to get 16 GB additional free space
Dropbox is the most stingy online storage service. The service only gives its new users a 2 GB of free space. Much fewer than OneDrive and Google Drive. But, Dropbox gives you opportunities to enlarge your free space. Previously, there were about 8 ways to get more Dropbox space for free. From connecting your social media accounts to installing Dropbox on Samsung devices. But now, the methods to get more Dropbox space for free are getting limited. The good news is, with those limited methods you can get up to 16 GB additional space, for free. We have covered it in this post.
2. Use the Selective Sync feature to sync specific folders
Dropbox is a great tool if you want to have an online backup of your important files. You can sync your Dropbox with your computer by installing the offered Dropbox clients, which is available for nearly all platforms, including Linux.
But, there is one thing you need to know, Dropbox will sync all of the folders if you just syncing it without doing any setting. You can use the Selective Sync feature to sync only folders that need to be synced. To do this, you can go to the Preferences menu on the Dropbox client on your computer and select Account –> Selective Sync.
Well, this method won’t make you get more space. At least it can help you save your internet bandwidth and local storage.
3. Use Dropbox as a collaboration tool
As I mentioned earlier, the use of Dropbox is not limited to storing files online. You can also use Dropbox as a collaboration tool by creating a shared folder for storing all files related to your project. Be it design plan, business report, to-do list and lots more. All invited members will be able to view and edit all of the documents you put on this collaboration folder. To create a collaboration folder, just click the New shared folder button and invite your preferred members.
4. Don’t miss Dropbox Paper
In order to get the most out of Dropbox as a collaboration tool, you can also use Dropbox Paper. This tool has been designed specifically to help you work with document-related tasks like taking notes, arranging ideas with your team and lots more. You can also create both shared folders and documents with Dropbox Paper. One of the advantages from using Dropbox Paper is that you can have a real time chat with your team. Read here to find out how to use Dropbox Paper.
5. Never turn the Camera Uploads feature on
In the Dropbox web, you will see a purple folder titled “Camera Uploads”. Dropbox uses this folder to save all of the photos on your smartphone (only photos taken with your smartphone camera will be uploaded). This feature is absolutely helpful to enable you backing up all of the photos you take with your smartphone easily. The consequence, it will consume more space of your Dropbox. So, if you want to save your Dropbox space, it’s better to not turn this feature on.
6. Access files without internet connection
Accessing files without internet connection? Seriously?
Of course. Despite Dropbox is basically an internet based service, you can also access your Dropbox files offline. You will need this feature if you are planning to somewhere which potentially has no internet connection. Mountain, for instance. On the Dropbox app on your smartphone just select your preferred file and tap the arrow button and slide the Available offline option.
Then select Offline on the Dropbox menu to access the files you made offline.
7. Sort files based on modification date for easier access
By default, Dropbox sorts your files by name. If you have too many files on a certain folder in your Dropbox account, it can take some minutes to find them. If you want to use the latest files, you can sort your files based on modification date to get things done quicker. To do this, click the Name link and select Modified and reload the page.
8. Be wise before using the File request feature
Dropbox has a File request feature to ease you asking for files you need from friends or teammates. Once your friends give the files, they will be stored automatically to your Dropbox account. This feature is basically useful and handy but you need to be very wise before asking for files using this feature. Remember, you are currently registered as a Dropbox free member. Requesting files mean that you will use additional space for the files you potentially get.
9. Always empty the trash
If you delete certain files from Dropbox, Dropbox won’t immediately delete them. Instead, Dropbox will keep the deleted files for 30 days (a year for paid member). If the files you deleted have big enough sizes, it can be a problem. If you want to free up your Dropbox space by deleting unnecessary files, be sure you truly delete them. Instead of keeping them in the trash.
To do it, select the Deleted files menu and select the files you want to delete. Click the Permanently delete link.
