Can I link a Dropbox account to 200 devices?

Hey sam135! Thanks for posting your question here. Let’s get into it.

In short, yes, what you describe is possible. 

To do this though, the Dropbox account that will be linked to all these devices will have to be upgraded to a paid plan (there isn’t a device restriction on any of our paid subscriptions at the moment). You can also check more details on this here.

After that, you should be able to install the mobile app on your tablets, and log in with your Dropbox credentials, so that your pupils can access the content you've shared from your other Dropbox account. 

If the files you want to share from the original account are more than 2GB in total, then you'll need to upgrade it as well, to get some extra space and accommodate your files.

Let me know, if you want me to clarify something else.

Thanks for your rapid response Nancy!

Sorry two more quick questions

1) can the folders that are shared be made available offline by the 'reciever"? 

2) is there anyway to stop those files being downloaded by the receiver? 

Thank you in advance for your support 

Hey sam135! Your pupils can make the shared files/folders available offline on the tablet with these steps.

The option to disable downloads for shared files/folders is only available if you create a shared link instead (and on specific subscriptions).

Hi Nancy,

Thank you very much for that.

Sorry last two I promise!

1) If we took the option to disable downloads and went with a sharing link, would the user need an internet connection to open the document or can it be opened with wifi and then used later without a connection?

2) Is there any way we can restrict the 'receivers' account to ensure they can't delete the account or make changes to settings etc?

Kind regards,

Sam

Hi sam135 

As a teacher myself can I strongly suggest you reconsider this - you are looking at having a NIGHTMARE situation (and possibly a breach of terms later as logons arent intended to be shared). 

If you install on all the devices they will ALL show as "Uploaded by x" or "Edited by x" - and every device will be identical, there isnt a way to differentiate. The other thing is every account and every device would be an 'owner' that is they could all access/edit/alter the files on each device. Or, if they got the password, delete the whole thing. 

In answer to your questions 

1) no, they'd need internet to get the files. 

2) no because that account is theres..... they are logged in to that account.... they are, technically, the owner for it. 

In terms of workaround have you thought about QR codes and using links to download (behind the QR code) and then one to upload using say Dropbox Requests?

Hi Mark, thanks for your response.

Unfortunately, we do not have internet access on the premises currently due to using multiple sites whose internet access we are unable to use.  We rent out school buildings, church halls, and community facilities and all are different in their approach. Some of them will not let us anywhere near their network as they want to keep it safe. 

Also in some locations mobile internet (3G, 4G, 5G etc) is not available due to the buildings being made of metal.

Consequently, we are not able to rely on them being on the internet during sessions.

Our current workaround for this is to share the resources from a main account to another account. When the resources land in to the shared folder of the receiving account we simply make them available offline on each tablet and then we can access them without a WiFi connection.

The receiving account cannot make changes to the resources as they do not have permission to do so, however, they are able to delete the link and therefore this affects all tablets.

I can't currently see a way for us to have the resources stored locally on the devices without these issues.

Sorry for the long message, I would welcome any ideas you have got.

Kind regards,
Sam