Installing and using Dropbox for Mac is as easy as downloading and installing the app. From there, your Dropbox acts like a folder on your computer, except it’s in the cloud. Here’s how to add it to your Mac.
We’ll be looking primarily at the Mac version here, but note that Dropbox is also available for Windows. linux and most mobile platforms, including Android devices and iOS . This cross-platform functionality gives you access to your files regardless of device or platform. Screenshots and prices are current as of February 2020.
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If you don’t already have a Dropbox account, create one at Dropbox website .
It can be a bit difficult to find a free Dropbox account option. Register is free.
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Download the installer .
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Once the download is complete, locate the installer in folder » Downloads «. The file name is DropboxInstaller.dmg. Double click Dropbox Installer.dmg .
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In the Dropbox installer window that opens, double-click dropbox icon .
You’ll see a notification that Dropbox is an app downloaded from the web. Click Open, to continue. Dropbox will then download any necessary updates and start the installation process. The Dropbox icon will appear in the menu bar and the Dropbox app will appear in the folder / Applications and on the sidebar.
Dropbox for Mac shows the Dropbox folder and the Dropbox menu item.
Screenshot courtesy of Coyote Moon, Inc. -
After you sign in to the Dropbox window, you’ll see a message congratulating you for successfully completing the installation. Click » Open Dropbox folder» .
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Dropbox needs your account password in order for your new Dropbox folder and system to work properly with your Mac. Enter your password and click OK .
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Take a few minutes to read the manual start of work, installed in your Dropbox folder to learn more.
Using Dropbox
Dropbox installs a login element and integrates into Finder. You can change this configuration at any time in settings dropbox . Click icon dropbox at the top of the screen and then the down arrow next to the initials. Select » Settings» in drop-down menu.
We recommend keeping the Finder integration option and the Dropbox launch option every time you start your Mac. Together, they help Dropbox behave like another folder on your Mac.
How Dropbox Works
Anything you put in the Dropbox folder on your Mac is automatically backed up to cloud storage and synced to any other devices you use that are also running Dropbox. This means you can work on a document at home on your Mac, go to work, and resume what you were doing with the document knowing that it is exactly where you left off.
Using the Dropbox folder
You’ll notice a checkbox next to each file in your Mac’s Dropbox folder; shows the item’s current synchronization state. A green checkmark means the item has been successfully synced to the cloud. The blue round arrow indicates a sync in progress.
You can always access your data from the Dropbox website, but in general it’s easier to install Dropbox on all the devices you use.
Why use Dropbox?
Using Dropbox on your Mac can make it easier to share files with other devices and people. For example, you can put a group of photos on your Dropbox to share with your family instead of emailing them or fiddling with flash drives and the like. Dropbox is also useful for work: you can put important files in your Dropbox to share with large groups, instead of having to deal with clutter and messy messages in a big, long email thread. For these reasons, Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage systems.
Dropbox isn’t the only cloud storage and sync service for Mac, but it’s currently one of the most popular. However, it has some pretty tough competition, including Microsoft skydrive , google drive google Box.net and SugarSync. As a Mac user, you can also use Apple’s own cloud service iCloud . It’s a very convenient, easy-to-use service that’s already integrated with your Mac.
So why should you consider Dropbox? Here are some reasons:
- The use of several cloud services helps to reduce the cost of storing data in the cloud; Also, the redundancy ensures that you don’t lose any data.
- Almost all cloud services offer a free tier, and Dropbox is no exception.
- Many apps integrate with various cloud storage services to offer additional features. Dropbox is one of the most used cloud systems used by third party applications.
Dropbox is available in four main pricing plans; the first three allow you to increase storage by linking others to the service. For example, the basic free version of Dropbox will give you 500MB per referral, up to a maximum of 18GB of free storage.
Dropbox pricing
Dropbox offers tiered pricing based primarily on your storage needs and, if applicable, your team All paid accounts offer a 14-day free trial.
| Plan | Price per month | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| basic | Free | 2 GB |
| a plus | $9.99 when billed annually | 2 TB |
| professional | $16.58 when billed annually | 3 TB |
| Command standard | $12.50 per user | 5 TB |
| Advanced for Teams | $20 per user | unlimited |