Dropbox: Do Shared Folders Count Against My Storage Limit?

Environment

U-M Dropbox

Issue

Does folder sharing with other Dropbox accounts (U-M and external) count toward my 5TB storage limit in U-M Dropbox? Does it count toward their storage limit?

Resolution

Shared folder storage works in the following ways:

  • U-M Dropbox account shares a folder with another U-M Dropbox account: the shared folder counts only toward the owner's individual account storage limit.
  • U-M Dropbox account shares a folder with an external (non-UM) Dropbox account: the shared folder counts only toward your individual account storage limit and not the external user's.
    • Additionally, they can add as much content to that folder as they wish, and it will not take up any additional space in their account.
  • External (non-UM) Dropbox account shares a folder with a U-M Dropbox account: the shared folder will take up space in both your individual account and the external account.

Additional Information

Note: Because shared files can't be "added/joined" to your account when shared with you, the file will always only take up space in the owner's account. (Unless you choose to make a copy of the file.)

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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This article provides additional information for adding a shared folder to your account or viewing a shared file in U-M Dropbox.

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