how to change the dropbox app uploads folder?

[lwittern]

I would like to be able to select the folder to upload to when using the share icon on my Android phone. For example, if I want to save an article and click on the share icon, I get the option to upload to Dropbox. But when I use that, I can't figure out how to select a folder on Dropbox where the new file (or URL or whatever) will go. And I can't figure out when I just upload it anyway, where Dropbox is putting it. I get the option to add a new folder each time, but I don't want to do that; I want to put it into an existing folder. Is there a way to do that?

[Lusil]

Hey @lwittern. 

Just to ensure that I understand correctly, I was able to add a file from an Android device to Dropbox through the share icon (that looks like a < with three dots) with the following steps:

1. Locate the file I want to add to my Dropbox. 
2. Tap on the < with the three dots icon that’s at the top of my screen. 
3. Find Add to Dropbox from the options given.
4. Optional: if you have a paired account, select the account you want to upload the file to. 
5. Find the folder you want to upload it to. If it’s a subfolder, navigate through the parent folders. 
6. Select Add that’s at the bottom right corner of your screen. 

You will then be taken back to where the file originally is in your phone’s storage, so you’ll have to navigate to the folder (or subfolder) where you added it in your Dropbox account. 

If you didn’t select a folder, could it be in your account as a single file? You can also try searching for it by tapping on the magnifying glass that’s at the top of your screen when you access the mobile app. 

Let me know of any updates!

[lwittern]

Thanks for this very detailed reply. It's very kind of you, and you've identified my problem in this process. It's your step #5, "Find the folder you want to upload it to." I don't see any way to find a folder. It doesn't give me any options to do so. I can either upload it to whatever folder it picks (not sure how it does that, but it gives me a folder with files already in it but doesn't tell me what the folder is) or to add a new folder. So, what I am wondering is how I get from the share and add to Dropbox part to being able to see and navigate my folders so I can select the right one.

[Lusil · Accepted solution]

Hmm. Are you able to maybe navigate to your other folders in your account by tapping on the default back button on your mobile? For example, I was able to go back by tapping the < arrow that’s at the bottom of my screen. 

If you’re still having trouble with this, due to account-specific info that’ll be required to look into this matter with you, we’d have to take this discussion to email (in which case, I can contact you directly to the email address associated with your Forum profile). 

Let me know how it goes, @lwittern.

[Thad3]

Thank you for solving the problem.

I had the same issue as Iwittern.  Your suggestion of using the back button worked, but is not intuitive, since the back button normally takes you to the screen you were previously viewing.  The implementation for Dropbox sharing is not in agreement with this UI principle.  I suggest the addition, on the inital display, of an icon or button to select a folder.

[Lusil]

Glad to hear that my suggestion worked for you, @Thad3, and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!

I’ve made sure to pass your feedback along to the dev team regarding this, so if you have any other ideas or questions, don’t hesitate to give us a nudge. 

Have a wonderful day ahead! 

[Dwawa]

Boy this has been bugging me for weeks, I never figured to hit the android back button, just implicitly expecting that would go back to the previous step that got me in to the sharing screen, rather than be taken as a command by the Dropbox app.  Simple but vastly non-intuitive solution.

[rkscpa]

thanks!! it works

like other comments, this is not intuitve.  

i am hesitant to hit back because it can take you out of where you want to be

[Caroline R.8]

Well by **bleep** I would have never thought of using the back button to look for other folders. Thanks for the update. 

Agree with other posters that this is not intuitive and here are 2 suggestions:

- Add an icon that does the same thing as the back button

- Make the main Dropbox folder list the save option, then we can just navigate to the needed folder

Thanks.

[Lusil]

Hey peeps, though we may be one step back, we’ve taken two steps forward with your feedback!

I’d be more than happy to add your thoughts on this for our dev team to review.

Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with!