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annieobject's avatar
annieobject
New member | Level 2
8 years ago
Solved

Export pictures to instagram

Hi! I'm trying to export videos from Dropbox to Instagram. 

I choose the "open with" option and navigate to instagram, but when I click on it nothing happens. 

I don't get an error message and am not navigated to a new page. 

Is this because Dropbox is trying to export my video onto my phone and there isn't enough space for it to do so? 

If so, it would be good to at least see an error message explaining that this is what has happened.

Could you advise me on how to upload videos to Instagram from dropbox. Surely the whole point of dropbox is to store things on your phone that your phone itself does not have the room for?

 

Thanks!

  • Hi Annie, the Dropbox mobile app is primarily a file viewer so you can see your files on your account without them taking up space.

    However, if you need to export any file to another app, such as videos to Instagram, then there isn’t a direct link between Dropbox and Instagram. The app needs to use your mobile as a temporary storage to first download the video, and then to upload it to Instagram.

    If your phone doesn’t have enough space, then there would be issues with this naturally. If you are low on space, you could try clearing your browser cache, or remove any unwanted photos or apps, perhaps backing them up to your computer instead.

    Note that if you’re using Dropbox to automatically upload photos from your phone to store online, the app doesn’t physically delete these original photos from your device once this has been done.

    Hope this helps to clarify matters!

  • Try this: select the video, press on ... and press export and then press Open in... and select instagram? if this doesn't work, then save it to camera roll first then share it to instagram from there.

    As you said that you don't get any error message, it could be due to a number of reasons, try this: redownload instagram or (on ios 11) go to files app and make sure dropbox is enabled.

    lets us know if any of this works?

7 Replies

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  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago

    Hi Annie, the Dropbox mobile app is primarily a file viewer so you can see your files on your account without them taking up space.

    However, if you need to export any file to another app, such as videos to Instagram, then there isn’t a direct link between Dropbox and Instagram. The app needs to use your mobile as a temporary storage to first download the video, and then to upload it to Instagram.

    If your phone doesn’t have enough space, then there would be issues with this naturally. If you are low on space, you could try clearing your browser cache, or remove any unwanted photos or apps, perhaps backing them up to your computer instead.

    Note that if you’re using Dropbox to automatically upload photos from your phone to store online, the app doesn’t physically delete these original photos from your device once this has been done.

    Hope this helps to clarify matters!

  • Umair R.'s avatar
    Umair R.
    Helpful | Level 7
    8 years ago
    Try this: select the video, press on ... and press export and then press Open in... and select instagram? if this doesn't work, then save it to camera roll first then share it to instagram from there.

    As you said that you don't get any error message, it could be due to a number of reasons, try this: redownload instagram or (on ios 11) go to files app and make sure dropbox is enabled.

    lets us know if any of this works?
  • Phiephie's avatar
    Phiephie
    New member | Level 2
    7 years ago

    Hi Umair R.

    I have an iPhone 12.3.1 with latest versions of the Instagram + Dropbox apps downloaded.

    As a solution to the problem of uploading/exporting a file (video) from Dropbox to Instagram you write. 

    "Go to files app and make sure dropbox is enabled".

    I wonder how thisis this possible when the Dropbox app is not an option:

    I do: 

    Settings > Dropbox > Enable access to Dropbox:
    Contacts, Photos, Camera, Siri and Search, Notification/Notices, Background update, Mobile Data (NO DROPBOX APP AVAILABLE)

    I than go to Instagram

    Settings > Istagram > Enable access to Instagram: Location, Contacts, Photos, Microfone, Camera, Siri and Search, Notifications/Notices, Background updating, Mobile data

    Could you please explain?

    Kind regards

    S

  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    7 years ago
    Hey there Phiephie,
     
    I believe what Umair is referring to regarding enabling Dropbox in the Files app can be done with these steps:
     
    1. Open the Files app on your device.
    2. Click “Edit” in the top right corner of the app screen.
    3. Toggle on Dropbox as a location.
     
    Hope this helps - Cheers!
  • jonbeth44's avatar
    jonbeth44
    Helpful | Level 5
    6 years ago
    Your explanation is not related to the question, thanks.
  • jonbeth44's avatar
    jonbeth44
    Helpful | Level 5
    6 years ago
    There could be a bug or new Instagram pilicy.

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