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Cloud storage service Dopbox has recently added the ability to export files from the Android app to an SD card if you have one installed on your device. The process conforms well to the way the official app already works, and we will demonstrate how to use it in a series of easy steps.
If you want to keep some files stored locally when travelling and you expect to have a patchy signal, this simple addition is an easy way to ensure that you have access to what you need no matter where you are – it could potentially save you from a disaster of a meeting or another situation where data is crucial.
Bizarrely, you can only export one file at a time, which is an obvious limitation, but we suspect that Dropbox is not expecting you to want to transfer hundreds of files in one go, and they may be right.
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For more in-depth tutorials, make sure to check out the new issue of Android Magazine.
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Select items to export
You will need to navigate to the folder containing the file(s) that you want to export. If you tap the menu button when in a folder, you will be presented with different options which are of no use in this situation. So, make your choice and navigate to it.
Open the menu
Tap the small downward-arrow icon to the right of any file to see a new menu appear containing four options. The first three of these are quite handy and will be used often, but in this case you need to select More to bring up another set of options.
Manage the new options
A new panel will pop up with Rename, Move, ‘Open with…’ and Export listed in order. The ‘Open with…’ option is very useful for immediately accessing files using other installed apps, but here you will need to select Export to proceed. The navigation should feel completely familiar throughout.
Time to export
You will now see a new list appear under the ‘Save to’ heading. Provided you have an SD card installed in your device, the final option should be ‘SD CARD’. If your card is not visible, go to ‘Save to’>Settings>Display Advanced Devices to access it.
Your export is complete
Once the file has been exported, you will be presented with a time-limited dialog to confirm that the file has moved over successfully. Remember that large files could take some time to move over, so be patient and wait until you see the message before performing any other operations.
Use a shortcut
Another option to select a file for exporting is to hold your finger down on it until the new panel appears. A longer list will come to dominate the screen, with Export found at the bottom. Simply select it and follow the same process to move your file to the card.
