In this walkthrough, we will cover:
- Getting Started with Dropbox: Connecting GNARBOX to the Internet
- How to Connect Your GNARBOX to Dropbox
- How to Upload Files From GNARBOX to Dropbox
- Accessing Dropbox Upload Reports
- How to Disconnect a Dropbox Account from GNARBOX
Getting Started with Dropbox: Connecting GNARBOX to the Internet
In order to connect and upload to your Dropbox account, you will need to connect your GNARBOX to the Internet. This can be done by doing any of the following:
- Switching your GNARBOX into Home Mode using a local network
- Using a Personal Hotspot + iOS connection
- Connecting the GNARBOX directly to your Internet router
Instructions for each of these methods can be found below.
Connecting in Home Mode to a Local Network
Home Mode allows your GNARBOX to connect to a local Internet network to download software updates and upload files to Dropbox.
If this is the first time you are connecting the GNARBOX to a local network, please follow the manual instructions to do so here.
If you have previously connected the GNARBOX to your local network, you can quickly switch your GNARBOX from Field Mode to Home Mode by doing the following:
- Using the GNARBOX screen and buttons, press the up button from the Home screen.
- Toggle down and use the right button to select Home Mode.
- GNARBOX will switch Home Mode to ON.
- Using your mobile device, launch the GNARBOX App. The app will display a yellow "Checking Connection" banner. Navigate to the Settings Page.
- Tap Connection Manager.
- Select Home.
- Tap Pair GNARBOX.
- Select your GNARBOX from the list.
- Your GNARBOX is now connected in Home Mode.
You can also use a 4G MiFi device or a secondary phone as a mobile hotspot using these same instructions.
Using a Personal Hotspot + iOS Connection
If your iOS cellular data plan supports a Personal Hotspot, you can connect your iOS device to the GNARBOX via USB-C to Lightning. Using this connection with the GNARBOX allows for access to Internet features such as uploading to Dropbox.
This is a fantastic method for connecting to the Internet while in the field where cellular data is abundant, but a local WiFi network is not available.
For this functionality, you must use all of the following:
- iOS 14 or later
- A cellular data plan with Personal Hotspot capabilities
- USB-C to Lightning cable
To connect your GNARBOX to the Internet using a Personal Hotspot:
- On your iOS device, open the Settings App.
- Navigate to Personal Hotspot.
- Toggle Allow Others to Join to ON.
- Connect your iOS device to the GNARBOX using a USB-C to Lightning cable.
- Your iOS device will prompt you to trust this computer. Press Trust.
- Enter the passcode for your iOS device to unlock and trust the GNARBOX.
You may now launch the GNARBOX App and utilize Internet capabilities.
Connecting the GNARBOX directly to your Internet router
GNARBOX supports ethernet connectivity via USB-C, which provides the most direct connection with the fastest upload and download speeds. For full instructions on connecting directly to your Internet router, check out our walkthrough here.
If you experience any difficulties with connecting in Home Mode, please check out the troubleshooting tips in our Home Mode walkthrough or email us at support@gnarbox.com.
How to Connect Your GNARBOX to Dropbox
- First, connect your GNARBOX to the Internet using the instructions in the previous section. Dropbox will only work while connected to the Internet because an Internet connection is required for uploads.
- Once your GNARBOX is connected to the Internet, navigate to the Settings page and tap Cloud Accounts.
- Select Dropbox from the list of cloud accounts.
- Now we can connect our Dropbox account to the GNARBOX. Tap Add Account.
- An authorization code is required to connect your account. Tap Get Authorization Code.
- You'll be redirected to your default Internet browser. Sign in to your Dropbox account.
- Once signed in, you’ll receive an authorization code that will give your GNARBOX access to your account. Copy the full authorization code.
- Navigate back to the GNARBOX App. You will now see a prompt with an input field for the Dropbox authorization code. Paste the authorization code into the input field. Press Connect Dropbox Account.
- The GNARBOX App will notify you when connection is successful.
How to Upload Files From GNARBOX to Dropbox
Once you have successfully connected your GNARBOX to the Internet and to your Dropbox account, you can begin uploading files.
- Locate and select the files or folders you wish to upload. For folders, tap the Quick-Action icon (
). For individual files, tap Select and choose the files you wish to upload.
- Choose Upload to Cloud from the menu options.
- Select your connected Dropbox account.
- Locate your desired destination in your Dropbox account. Create new folders if needed. When you're ready, choose Upload Here.
- Your files will begin transferring to your connected Dropbox account. To view the transfer process, tap the Task Manager icon.
Accessing Dropbox Upload Reports
During or after a transfer, an Upload Report is available in the Task Manager. The Upload Report displays the successes and failures of your upload. To view the Upload Report during a transfer:
- Navigate to the Task Manager.
- Tap View Detailed Report.
- Your Upload Report will display.
To view past Upload Reports:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Tap Cloud Accounts.
- Choose Dropbox.
- Select your connected Dropbox account.
- Tap Upload Reports.
- Choose the date of a past upload.
- The Upload Report will display.
To clear your upload history:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Tap Cloud Accounts.
- Choose Dropbox.
- Select your connected Dropbox account.
- Tap Upload Reports.
- Tap Clear History.
- A confirmation prompt will appear. To continue, tap Clear History.
How to Disconnect a Dropbox Account from GNARBOX
- Navigate to Settings.
- Tap Cloud Accounts.
- Select Dropbox.
- Choose the desired Dropbox account that you wish to disconnect.
- Tap Log Out.
- A confirmation prompt will appear. To continue, tap Log Out.
- The GNARBOX App will notify you when your Dropbox account has been successfully disconnected.
Technical Support
Need assistance? We’re here for you! Browse our walkthroughs for full tutorials and troubleshooting tips. If you’d like one-on-one assistance, you can always email us at support@gnarbox.com or use our live chat in the bottom right!
Live Chat Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10AM–5PM PST