How to Use Dropbox Like a Pro

One of the key advantages of Dropbox is that it’s so easy to use—you simply set it up and then forget about it — but if you dig a bit deeper into the application you’ll find that it has more strings to its bow than you might have realized.

1. Get as much free space as you can

Dropbox gives you 2GB of free space, but you get an extra 500MB for every friend you refer to the service. Dropbox also gives you 125MB extra just for tweeting about your love of the service

2. Keep your iTunes in sync

You’re probably going to need the extra storage of a Pro account for this one, but Dropbox can sync your iTunes library between several computers (at home and at work for example). This means your playlists, play counts and tunes are always available wherever you are. You’ll need to move your library into the Dropbox folder, then point iTunes towards its new location — hold down the Shift key when launching it on Windows or the Alt/Option key on a Mac to do this. A word of warning though: only keep iTunes open in one location at any one time to avoid syncing conflicts.

3. Recover deleted files

Should you accidentally wipe the pictures of your son’s 6th birthday party or an important company presentation, all is not lost — Dropbox keeps deleted files for 30 days after you’ve erased them.

4. Upload mobile pictures automatically

Both the iOS and Android Dropbox apps have a feature enabling you to upload your camera photos and video automatically, with no further steps required. Delve into the settings for your Dropbox mobile app to find the feature, which can be configured to work on Wi-Fi only if you’re worried about data caps.

5. Enable two-step verification for extra security

Two-step verification essentially means you need more than a password to set up Dropbox on a new computer or device, and it’s something Gmail has offered for a while. Two-step verification can be activated from the Security tab of the Dropbox Settings page, and once it’s up and running you’ll need a code from your mobile as well as your password to configure Dropbox on a new machine.

6. Share large files and folders easily

Sharing has been much simplified in Dropbox recently, especially if the person you’re sharing with doesn’t have Dropbox installed. You can share any file or folder by right-clicking it on the Web or your system and choosing “Share link”.

7. Back up Facebook, Instagram and Flickr pictures

You’ll need to add one of our favorite Web apps to the mix for this one, If This Then That. Sign up for the service and you can specify certain triggers—such as a new upload to Instagram or Flickr, or a picture you’re tagged in on Facebook—which then cause the image in question to be sent to your Dropbox automatically.

8. Download torrents automatically

With a little bit of work you can get your home computer to download torrents from anywhere in the world. You’ll need to set up a Dropbox folder for torrent files, then get your client software at home to watch this folder for new files, downloading anything new automatically. If you’re at work, or in a coffee shop, simply copy a torrent file to your designated Dropbox folder and it will be ready for you when you get back home.

9. Sync selectively

If you’ve been around since the early days of Dropbox then you’ll know that selective sync has been one of the most wished for features ever since the program was born. Well, it’s now here in all its glory—right-click on the Dropbox icon, choose “Preferences…” and then switch to the Advanced tab to find the Selective Sync feature.

10. Favorite a file for offline access

Favorite a file in the Dropbox mobile app on iOS or Android and it will be downloaded to the local storage system, meaning you can access it even without a Wi-Fi or data signal. Useful for reviewing that company report while your train goes through a tunnel, or listening to your most cherished album while trekking through the wilderness, perhaps.

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