We recently chose Dropbox as the best-looking and most functional drive-sharing tool for our video production company. However, there's an annoying popup prompting clients to log in or sign up when we share links. The "Continue with download only" button is easily missed, especially by older clients, making us look unprofessional. It's frustrating that such a customizable platform has this issue. We hope for a solution soon!

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I am trying to share an archive with many files within many subfolders. The viewers need to be able to preview the files before downloading, as there is too much to download it all, as they would only want to see bits and pieces of it. I hope Dropbox can improve this part of their service.

Hey JayThank you for your reply. What you sent me worked, but it's not satisfying at all. Our clients want to preview the files and then choose which ones to download, or download all after having a quick look. A link with a direct download without pressing anything is even more unprofessional than letting the client press the download button themselves. No one wants an instant download popup. We would really like to just remove the popup when you press the download button. We are not the only ones; there are several posts from people who wish to have this option. There are already two other sign-in/login buttons on the link you can share. At least remove it for the paid plans.

I just discovered the exact same problem after some back and forth with an annoyed customer, who isn't familiar with printable wall art (which is what I sell) and on top of that, really wasn't happy that I require them to "sign up for Dropbox" to receive their files. I was confused and told them no worries, you don't need an account, just click the shared link and download the files you need. The customer still isn't happy and doesn't want to proceed further - so I went to investigate and stumbled upon this "new" pop-up (seems to be there for a few months obviously, but definitely wasn't there when I initially choose Dropbox as my file sharing system). Additionally, before you even click on anything, there is this banner on the top of the file overview "xyy shared this folder. Want to do more with it? Login | Sign up" which also leaves the impression you can't do anything with the shared folder/files unless you create an account.Since this issue was brought to Dropboxe's attention by multiple people over the past few months and there still isn't an ETA on a solution is really infuriating to be honest. Why won't you take this issue seriously? It makes us (your customers) look unprofessional in front of our customers, it creates further problems for us like annoyed clients/customers of our own and support we have to give them to make them understand they can still download without an account and so on. At least remove the pop-up for your paying customers, or give them an option in the account settings to turn it off, please!

Hey Dropbox, Just to add my feedback: Just went through this with one of my clients. I sent them a link, they emailed me back asking me to send a file where they don't have to sign up for dropbox. I had to reverse engineer what was happening by using the link in a private browser window where I wasn't logged into dropbox. The problem is the 'Or continue with download' link is very obscure and just a line of underlined type - very secondary to the large blue 'Continue' button. This should at least be a clear blue 'Download' button. Would look more professional and not waste time on back and forth between myself and client. They happen to use Digital Pigeon - when they send me stuff I click the download button once and it starts downloading. I'm not taken to a login screen. Thanks

In the last few months I've started experiencing a significant issue when sharing view-only download links with my clients. When they click the "Download" button, a pop-up box now appears, prompting them to log in or sign up. There is an option at the bottom of the box that says "Or continue with download only," but it is in small text and easily overlooked. As a result, I’ve received multiple emails from clients asking why they need to sign in to download the files, something they never had to do before. To resolve this, I have to send them screenshots highlighting the option, which is time-consuming and unprofessional. Additionally, I had a client insist that this option was not available for them and went back and forth twice before I found out that they had their browser zoomed in slightly and the download button was blocked by Dropbox's cookie notice (image attached). I have been a loyal Dropbox user for many years, but this new addition to the download process is creating a poor experience for my clients and making me appear unprofessional. While I understand Dropbox might benefit from new sign-ups, this practice feels misleading and unethical. Furthermore, the cookie notice issue, though likely unintentional, is creating an even worse experience for your paid business users. I really hope Dropbox can come to its senses and remove this pop-up box entirely. A few users I have noticed post about the same issue which has still not been resolved (I hope you all don't mind me tagging you to try to get more support on a single thread and hopefully get this box removed): COLI TAMINOPROD Sterney Johvial

Remove "Log in or sign up" Popup when downloading from a shared link

33 Replies

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Polygoat
Helpful | Level 5
9 months ago
Like many others, we're also running into the same issue. The solution is plain and simple: remove the login popup or at least show the download link clearly.
I guess the Dropbox team is very much aware of the fact the download link is hidden, to push external users to create accounts etc. Let me tell you, you're getting the exact opposite of this.

I'm a paying customer with my company, but it's stuff like this that makes me look for an alternative
sam8966528
New member | Level 1
12 months ago
I've just signed up for Dropbox Plus, primarily to use Dropbox Transfer to send files to customers, and I can't believe that this issue exists, which causes such a problem for my recipients.
I would understand pop-ups trying to get people to sign up with a free plan, but when we are already PAYING for this service there shouldn't be issues like this.
I will monitor this thread and see if anything can be done while I'm still in the 14-day cooling off period - if not I will have to cancel and use a different provider.
Tobelli
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
MeganWe are still waiting for an update on this very important issue.
Regards
TAMINOPROD
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
It’s really frustrating. Thankfully, for our needs, we use Frame.io, which is much better for sharing videos and photos with clients. We avoid using Dropbox because of this annoying popup.
Sergio61
New member | Level 1
2 years ago
This is insane to me that dropbox has decided just simply to ignore this. Atleast have it as an option to turn off the pop up. It's been so annoying customers consistently telling me for the past two years that "dropbox is requiring me to create an account to download, please resend it" or the most recent one "I AM NOT PAYING TO DOWNLOAD A FILE" -- seriously being a dealbreaker at this point.
RuneLyd
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
I totally agree with this, I am in the same situation, clients either cannot download or say they have to log in. This need to be removed for transfers. It makes paying dropbox customers look unprofessional. If this is not fixed I will change provider.
Dennis2184
New member | Level 1
2 years ago
This is not a solution. I want my clients to preview the folder, check the contents and download what they need. WITHOUT the Register or Login Popup. That's why I pay for Dropbox. This is a deal breaker for me. Why is this not addressed?
Dennis2184
New member | Level 1
2 years ago
This is still unchanged. As a long time paying Dropbox client this is unacceptable for me. One of the main use cases of Dropbox for me is to deliver files to my clients. Now they get this deceiving popup, making them think they have to register to get the files. I was thinking about upgrading to Business, now this is a reason to change cloud service for me.
rdinsf
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Unlikely Dropbox will change it.

How many people are complaining on this thread? It's nothing compared to the hundreds of thousands of Dropbox customers. They made this change to pressure people to sign up for Dropbox accounts, they make money from these new accounts, and have no reason to cut off that revenue stream.
Tobelli
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago
Good day,
I just wanted to agree with all the statements from the other users made. This is really annyoing and I have lots of complaints from friends, family and customers.

We need this ad to be removed otherwhise the service is unusable and I have to change cloud-provider.

Regards