Dropbox: Using the Email to Dropbox Feature

Environment

U-M Dropbox

Issue

What is the "Email to Dropbox" feature in Dropbox? How do I use the feature?

Resolution

The Email to Dropbox feature allows you to create a unique email address, which you can then use to forward email attachments directly to your U-M Dropbox account into a private folder called “Email Attachments.” If you want others to view the files in the folder, you can share the "Email Attachments" folder just like any other folder in Dropbox.

To create the Dropbox unique email address:

1. Go to dropbox.umich.edu and log in.
2. Click your icon/initials in the top right corner of your U-M Dropbox homepage and select Settings.
3. Click Set up at the bottom of the General settings page under Features and beside Email to Dropbox.
4. Click Create unique email address in the window that appears.
5. Your unique email address will be created automatically and look similar to the following: ice.century.image.purpose.immune@addtodropbox.com. Click Done to finish.

An email confirmation will be sent the first time you create an address, but you may need to check your email Spam folder.

You can generate a new address by clicking Get new address. Click Turn off to inactivate your previous address.

To forward an attachment to Dropbox:

1. Open your email and find the message with an attachment that you want to forward to Dropbox.
2. Click to forward the message and paste your unique email address in the To: field.
3. Click Send. The attachment should appear in a Dropbox folder called "Email Attachments."

For additional information on Email to Dropbox, refer to How to use Email to Dropbox.

You can also use this feature with the File Request feature to create unique email addresses for any folder.

1. Go to dropbox.umich.edu and log in.
2. Click File requests from the left sidebar.
3. Click New request at the top and choose which folder files will be uploaded to.
4. Click Copy email.

You also have the ability to turn off Email to Dropbox for your individual account.

Additional Information

Some tips on using the feature:

• File attachments can be no larger than 20MB per email.
• You can attach up to 100 attachments to one email you forward to Dropbox.
• Check your “Email Attachments” folder and any other file request folders using a unique email regularly, as you will not receive notifications when an attachment has been forwarded.
• The unique email addresses are not connected to MCommunity.
• You cannot use an MCommunity group to forward email to Dropbox's unique email addresses, as the email attachment will not be delivered to the "Email Attachments" folder.
• You should not use the unique email addresses to send PHI / HIPAA-regulated data to your account using your U-M Google email or other personal (non-UM) email account (as they are not approved for PHI).
• After turning on the feature for the first time, Dropbox will send you a getting started email. However, you may need to check your email's Spam folder to find it.

Notes:

• This feature is similar to the one from Box, however, it is not as robust or granular as Box's.
• You can move the "Email Attachments" folder (once created) to a Team Folder if desired. Same with any file request folder.
• You may also consider using Dropbox File Requests.
• The "Email to Dropbox" address cannot be used as a forwarding address in Gmail as it will need to send a confirmation email for approval. The "Email to Dropbox" address is not a working email account and cannot recieve messages.  

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