- Turning on camera uploads on your phone
- Overnight uploads for big photo libraries
- Camera uploads from the desktop app
- Stop camera uploads eating your cell data
- Fixes when camera uploads stop working
- Whose photos are in my Camera Uploads folder?
- My verdict on Dropbox camera upload
- Frequently asked questions
Dropbox camera upload automatically copies the photos, and if you choose, the videos, from your phone or a plugged-in camera into a folder called Camera Uploads in your Dropbox account. You switch it on in the Dropbox mobile app, or in the desktop app when you connect a camera or phone to your computer.
Two things catch people out. You can't change where photos go: it's always the Camera Uploads folder, though you can move them afterwards. And because the desktop app offers uploads for any device plugged into your computer, someone who charged their phone on your machine may have clicked OK and sent their photos into your account.
Turning on camera uploads on your phone
On Android, open the Dropbox mobile app and, under Features, tap Camera uploads. On iPhone and iPad, the steps run like this:
- Tap Upload from, then Settings, to give Dropbox access to your photos and videos.
- Back in the Dropbox app, choose what you'd like to back up and whether you're happy to use cell data.
- Tap Turn on camera uploads.
If you're on a Dropbox team and can't see the option at all, your admin may have switched camera uploads off for the team. It also isn't available to teams using Dropbox Enterprise Mobility Management on Android.
Overnight uploads for big photo libraries
On iOS only, overnight uploads keep the Dropbox app open and dim your screen so a large backlog of photos and videos uploads continuously through the night. Tap the camera icon in the top-right corner to switch it on or off. For it to work, you need to:
- Keep the Dropbox app open
- Stay connected to Wi-Fi
- Keep your phone plugged into a charger so it doesn't power off
Camera uploads from the desktop app
Plug a camera or phone into a computer that has the Dropbox desktop app, and you'll be asked whether to enable uploads for that device. Say yes and it uploads your camera roll every time that device is plugged into that computer. The device is then registered as a connected device under Preferences.
| Computer | How to switch it on or off |
|---|---|
| Windows | Click the Dropbox icon in the taskbar, then the round account menu, then Backups, and pick Photos only or Photos and videos next to Enable camera uploads for |
| Windows AutoPlay | Click Change AutoPlay Settings, then under Removable drive choose Import photos and videos (Dropbox). Pick any other option to turn it off, and repeat for Memory card |
| Mac | Click the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, then your avatar in the bottom-left, toggle Camera Uploads on and choose Photos only or Photos and videos |
On macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher, you'll see a notification that Dropbox would like to access files on a removable volume. Click OK or camera uploads won't work. You can change that later in System Preferences, under Security and Privacy, by ticking or unticking Removable Volumes under Dropbox.
To disconnect a phone or camera, click the Dropbox icon in your taskbar or menu bar, go to Preferences and click Forget next to the device.
Stop camera uploads eating your cell data
By default, camera uploads use cellular data whenever Wi-Fi isn't available. To stop that, turn off Use data when offline or Use cell data to back up, depending on your device. If you've linked a personal and a work Dropbox account, camera uploads can only be on for one of them at a time.
iOS Live Photos can be uploaded in the Dropbox app. Live Photos that reach Dropbox from other apps are saved as normal photos.
Fixes when camera uploads stop working
Dropbox says most camera upload problems, whatever the device, come down to the same handful of causes. Work through them in order:
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| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Restart the Dropbox app | On your phone, or on your computer from the Dropbox icon and your profile picture or initials |
| Your internet connection | Uploads slow down on a weak connection, so try another Wi-Fi network or turn off cellular data |
| Your battery | Uploads slow down when the battery is low, so plug in your phone, tablet or computer |
| Your storage space | A full account stops uploads. Delete files, leave shared folders or upgrade |
| App updates | Make sure the Dropbox app is up to date on every device |
| Operating system | Check your device's system is supported, and upgrade it if not |
| Upload settings on your phone | Check the Dropbox app's upload settings on the phone itself |
One detail that's easy to miss: as of October 2026, if you're on the Dropbox Basic plan, you must have the Dropbox desktop app installed to use camera uploads. If uploads have never worked on a Basic account, that's the first thing to check. When uploads fill up your account, here's how to free up Dropbox space.
Whose photos are in my Camera Uploads folder?
If you spot pictures you don't recognise, hover over one, click the more options menu and look for the name next to Added by. If you don't know that person, you can remotely sign out of any devices that are signed in to your account, then forget the device in the desktop app so it doesn't happen again.
My verdict on Dropbox camera upload
I'd switch it on with Photos and videos on your phone, turn off cell data unless you've got a generous plan, and leave the first big backlog for an overnight upload on Wi-Fi. On a shared computer, say no to the plug-in prompt for any phone that isn't yours. Camera uploads only covers photos and videos, so for documents and whole folders, look at Dropbox Backup instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the Dropbox Camera Uploads folder?
No. Photos always upload to a folder named Camera Uploads. You can move them to a different folder in your Dropbox account after they've been uploaded.
Does Dropbox camera upload use mobile data?
Yes, by default it uses cellular data when Wi-Fi isn't available. Turn off Use data when offline or Use cell data to back up to stop it.
Do I need the desktop app for Dropbox camera uploads?
On the Dropbox Basic plan, yes. You must have the Dropbox desktop app installed to use camera uploads.
Why are someone else's photos in my Camera Uploads folder?
Someone probably plugged their phone into your computer and clicked OK on the Dropbox prompt. Check the name next to Added by on the photo.
Can I use camera uploads on two Dropbox accounts?
No. If you've linked two Dropbox accounts, camera uploads can only be on for one account at a time.
