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Folders showing up empty when I send a link to someone
This has only been happening to me within the past week, but it is really hurting my business. I am always sending a folder with either video files or photos. Generally people are opening the link on their phone with the intention of saving them to their phone.
Basically what is happening is when I send someone the link to the folder, for them it either says that the folder is empty, or it shows the files but when they click on them it says the file type is not supported and so they can't view them or save them. This seems to happen whether they are using the Dropbox app or they open the link using Safari. The same thing also happens if they try to open the link to the folder on desktop.
Also it should be noted that I upload the files via the Dropbox website, and I know they are all synced before I send the link because I check on the app on my phone before I copy the link.
I have double checked and I know I am sending them the correct link and near the link when I copy it it literally says "anyone with this link will have access to these files" but I guess that is not the case for some reason. It also doesn't seem to matter if the person is signed in to their account or not.
Any idea on why this is happening? Need to fix it ASAP
Same thing happened to me. It's extremely annoying.
So far the thing that worked for me was to turn off tracking of viewers for that particular folder. Seems like when the person to whom you're sending the link refuses to be tracked, the folder appears empty. (Dropbox!!! Why should the priority be on tracking instead of actually doing your primary job - sharing the files?!)
So the way to do this: log in Dropbox.com via a browser -- find your folder -- click Share -- click the Settings gear icon -- under the tab "Folder settings" uncheck the option "Viewer info. Show who’s viewing files in this folder to people who can edit." -- click Save
(you might need to generate the sharing link again after this, not sure)
The tracking can also be turned off by default in your account settings -- under General tab find the option "See info about people who view my files" and switch it off.
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- Mark
Super User II
I cannot help even try and work out what is wrong if you arent prepared to troubleshoot.
I think this is where I bow out.
- I troubleshoot for days before ever going to the forums for this very reason. It’s like calling the help desk, waiting for 4 hours, just to have someone say “did you try resetting your computer?”. Thanks for trying, I guess.
- Hey guys!
Ive been having this problem for the last couple of days. Someone sends me a folder with some photos. Then i check them out and put it in a different folder. Then send it to other people using my iphone dropbox app. And now people complain that the folder shows empty even though i can see all the photos on my phone or my pc. If anyone knows what could be the problem please let me know. Customer service wasnt helpful. Thank you. I just started having this issue this past week. Links are copied correctly, using dropbox on Safari (not desktop app) to upload and all the files are there. They show up on my mobile app, and some people can access them on desktop browser version only.
Sending the link and opening on mobile for some people just shows an empty folder. I've tried the links in incognito mode on desktop and mobile and the links work for me. Nothing has changed from the past with the way I've copied links (not folders) and sent the link out to people. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am having the same issue. I have used DropBox for years but today - folders say they are empty when I send the link.
- I’m having trouble opening multiple Dropbox links from different users on the app on my phone. Each folder is saying “Folder Is Empty” on the phone app while the folder loads fine on a laptop and for all other users that the link is shared with. I’ve never had this issue before. Please help!
I'm experiencing the same issue. Not sure what's going with dropbox.
Same here - seems to be an app issue. If the person I sent the link to via text copies it from then pastes it into a browser window, they can see the images. Just not through the app. Then I had someone send me a link via text to a folder and I got the same "folder is empty".
- I am also having this issue for some people I send the links to but not others 🤷♀️
- If they copy and paste the link into the phone browser and avoid using the app so “continue to website” it works but going through the app doesn’t.
Is there a problem with the app?
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