You need files from clients, applicants or colleagues, and most of them don't use Dropbox. Asking them to create an account slows everything down, and email attachments bounce off size limits.
Dropbox already has a way around this. A file request gives you an upload link that anyone can use to send files straight into a folder in your Dropbox. This guide shows how to set one up, what your uploaders see, and where file requests fall short when you collect files from clients regularly.
Quick answer: To allow others to upload to your Dropbox, go to File requests in the left sidebar, click New request, name it, pick the destination folder, and click Create. Copy the upload link and send it to anyone. They can upload files without a Dropbox account, and they can't see anything else in your Dropbox.
How to Allow Others to Upload to Your Dropbox (Create an Upload Link)
You need a Dropbox account (free or paid) to create the request. The people uploading don't.
Step 1: Open File requests
Sign in to dropbox.com and click File requests in the left sidebar.
Step 2: Create a new request
Click New request and fill in:
- Title: what you're asking for, such as "2025 tax documents" or "Event photos"
- Description: instructions on file types, naming or what to include
- Folder: where uploads go. Dropbox creates a new folder by default, or you can pick an existing one
Step 3: Set a deadline (paid plans)
On Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Business, Business Plus, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise, you can tick Set a deadline and choose whether to allow late uploads. Basic, Plus and Family plans don't have this option.
Step 4: Share the upload link to invite people to upload
After you create the request, you can:
- Copy the link and send it by email, Slack, WhatsApp or text. Anyone with the link can upload.
- Enter email addresses and let Dropbox send the invitation for you.
Step 5: Track uploads and close the request
The File requests page shows each request and how many files have come in. New files appear in the folder you chose.
Once you have everything, open the request from the Opened tab and click Close request. The upload link stops accepting files, and what you've received stays in your folder. From the Closed tab you can click Reactivate request to reopen it, or delete it. For more on managing requests, see our Dropbox file requests guide.
What Your Uploaders See (No Dropbox Account Needed)
Your uploaders open the link in any browser, drag in their files, and click Upload. If they aren't signed in to Dropbox, they have to enter a first name, last name and email address first. They don't need the app or an account, and they can't see your folder or anything else in your Dropbox.
The file size limit depends on your plan, not theirs: up to 2 GB per file on Basic, Plus and Family, and up to 250 GB on Professional, Essentials, Business and higher plans. Uploads count against your Dropbox storage, so if your account is full, uploaders get an error.
Dropbox File Request Limits When Collecting Files From Clients
For a one-off batch of event photos, a file request is all you need. If you collect documents from clients every week, you'll run into these limits fast:
| Limit | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| No form fields | You get the files and the uploader's name. You can't ask for a case number or any other detail, because the description box only displays instructions. |
| You don't get uploaders' emails | Uploaders type their email, but Dropbox only passes you their name, added to the file name. |
| Dropbox branding | The page shows Dropbox's logo, and uploaders see a prompt to sign up for Dropbox afterwards. You can't add your logo or use your own domain. |
| One folder per request | Every upload lands in the same folder, unsorted by client or date. You rename and move files by hand. |
| No reminders you control | There's no way to set up follow-up emails for people who haven't uploaded, so you chase them yourself. |
| Link only | You can't embed a file request on your website. |
| Deadlines on paid plans only | Basic, Plus and Family can't set a deadline. |
A Better Way to Collect Files Into Dropbox From Clients
File Request Pro gives you an upload form that saves straight to your Dropbox and covers what file requests leave out:
- Form fields and uploads on one page: ask for a name, email, case number or anything else on the same page as the upload, and get the answers with the files.
- Files sorted automatically: each client's uploads go into their own Dropbox folder, named from the answers they give.
- Your branding: your logo, colors and custom domain. Clients don't get asked to sign up for anything.
- Automatic reminders: anyone who hasn't uploaded yet gets a follow-up email.
- No account for uploaders: clients upload from a link or from the form embedded on your website.
| Feature | Dropbox file request | File Request Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Uploaders need an account | No | No |
| Form fields | No | Yes |
| Uploader email passed to you | No | Yes |
| Your branding and domain | No | Yes |
| Automatic reminders | No | Yes |
| Files sorted into folders per client | No | Yes |
| Embed on your website | No | Yes |
| Saves to Dropbox | Yes | Yes (also Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint) |
For a longer comparison, read our Dropbox file request limitations and alternative comparison. If file size is your main concern, see how to receive large files from clients.
Other Dropbox Options (and Why They Don't Work for Collecting Files)
- Shared folders: people need a Dropbox account to upload, and everyone with access sees what everyone else uploaded. That's fine for your team, but not for clients.
- Dropbox Transfer: sends files from you to someone else. It can't receive files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do people need a Dropbox account to upload to my Dropbox?
No. Anyone with your file request link can upload without an account. If they aren't signed in, Dropbox asks for their name and email before the upload.
What is the Dropbox file request size limit?
It depends on the plan of the person who created the request: 2 GB per file on Basic, Plus and Family, and 250 GB per file on Professional, Essentials, Business, Business Plus, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise.
Can uploaders see my other Dropbox files?
No. A file request only lets people add files to the one folder you chose. They can't open that folder or see anything else in your account.
Can I collect email addresses with a Dropbox file request?
Not directly. Uploaders enter an email, but Dropbox only passes you their name, added to the file name. To get emails and other details with the files, use an upload form with fields, such as File Request Pro.
Can I remove the Dropbox branding from a file request?
No. The upload page always shows Dropbox's design, and uploaders see a Dropbox sign-up prompt after uploading.
How do I close or delete a Dropbox file request?
Open the request from the Opened tab and click Close request. The link stops accepting uploads. To remove it completely, delete it from the Closed tab. Deleted requests can't be reopened.
Can people upload to my Dropbox anonymously?
Not fully. Dropbox asks uploaders who aren't signed in for a name and email before it accepts files. It doesn't verify them, and you only see the name. For anonymous submissions, use an upload form where the name and email fields are optional.
