Widgets and quick actions on the Dropbox iOS app

Updated Sep 13, 2023

The Dropbox mobile app for iPhone and iPad allows you to carry out a number of quick actions from the Dropbox widget and your device’s home screen.

How to add the Dropbox widget to your device

With the Dropbox widget for iOS, you can quickly upload files from your iOS device to Dropbox. You can also use the widget to scan documents, upload files and photos, and record audio.

To add the Dropbox widget to your device:

  1. Go to the home screen page where you’d like to add the Dropbox widget, then press and hold the home screen background until your apps start to jiggle.
  2. Tap the “+” (plus) button at the top of your screen.
  3. Search “Dropbox” in the search bar or scroll down until you find Dropbox in the app suggestions.
  4. Select the Dropbox widget.
    • This will present you with several options:
      • Launch Action: Launch the Dropbox mobile app to do an action such as scan a document.
      • Recents: Open your recently opened Dropbox files.
      • Starred: Open your starred Dropbox files.
  5. Swipe through the widgets, then to select your preferred widget, click Add Widget.

Learn more about adding widgets on iPhone.

Quick actions from the Dropbox iOS app

From the home screen of your iPhone or iPad, you can touch and hold the Dropbox app to bring up a set of quick actions:

  • Go to your most recently viewed file or folder. Tap it to open that file or folder in the Dropbox app.
  • Tap Upload photos to quickly add photos to your Dropbox folder. If you’ve linked work and personal accounts on the app, photos will automatically upload to your personal account when signed in.
  • Tap Upload files to quickly add files to your Dropbox folder.
  • Tap Scan document to open your iPhone’s camera and scan a document to be saved as an image file in your Dropbox folder.
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