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Dropbox File Integration on the Seaty Mobile App

Connect Dropbox to the Seaty mobile app: browse linked event and organisation folders, search files, and download content for offline use at the venue.

The Seaty mobile app connects directly to Dropbox to provide secure, organised access to event and organisation file libraries. Event organisers can browse folders, search files, and download content for offline access during performances.

At its simplest, Dropbox integration answers one question: How do I access my event files on my phone?

Who uses this: Event organisers and team members with access to an event or organisation's Dropbox folders.

Key capabilities:

  • Connect your Dropbox account to access event and organisation files
  • Browse and search your file library directly from the app
  • Download files for offline access during performances
  • View previews of images, documents, and media files

How It Works

At a glance: Connect your Dropbox account once, then browse and download files whenever you need them.

1. Connect Your Account

When you first access files, the app opens your web browser to sign in to Dropbox. After you approve access, you're automatically returned to the app. Your connection stays active until you disconnect or your session expires.

2. Browse Your Files

Navigate through your folder structure just like you would on a computer. Folders and files appear in a sensible order, with folders listed first and numbered files sorted correctly (1, 2, 10 rather than 1, 10, 2).

3. Download for Offline Use

Tap any file to download it to your device. Downloaded files remain available even without an internet connection, making them perfect for use during performances or events.

Think of it this way:

  • Connection gives you access to your Dropbox folders through the app
  • Browsing lets you find files without downloading them
  • Downloading saves files to your device for offline access

Access Levels

Your access to Dropbox files depends on your role in the event or organisation:

  • Event Admin: Access to Admin Event Files folder
  • Event Member: Access to Member Event Files folder
  • Organisation Admin: Access to Admin Organisation Files folder
  • Organisation Member: Access to Member Organisation Files folder

Browsing Files

Folder Navigation

The files screen displays your folder structure as it appears in Dropbox:

  • The top level shows all folders in your connected folder
  • Tap folders to navigate deeper into the structure
  • A breadcrumb trail at the top shows your current location
  • Tap any breadcrumb or use the back button to return to previous folders

Smart Sorting

Files and folders display in an intelligent order:

  • Folders appear first, sorted alphabetically
  • Files sort using smart numeric ordering (e.g., "Track 1, Track 2, Track 10" rather than "Track 1, Track 10, Track 2")
  • Handles prefixed numbers, dates, and complex naming patterns
  • Consistent with file sorting used throughout the app

File Information

Each file shows:

  • File name (or track title for audio files with embedded information)
  • File type icon (supports office documents, images, audio, video, and many specialist formats)
  • File size in human-readable format
  • Download status indicator (cloud icon for remote files, tick for downloaded)
  • Thumbnail preview for images and supported document types

Search Functionality

Search files across your entire folder structure:

  1. Tap the search icon in the header
  2. Enter your search term
  3. Results filter as you type
  4. Matches file names across all folders
  5. Tap any result to preview or download

Search ignores capitalisation and searches complete folder paths, making it easy to find specific files without navigating through folders manually.

File Operations

Download Individual Files

  1. Navigate to the file in the browser
  2. Tap the file to preview (if supported) or download
  3. A progress indicator shows download status
  4. Once complete, the file appears in your Downloads
  5. Thumbnails are automatically created for images

Download Entire Folders

  1. Navigate to the folder you want
  2. Tap "Download All" (appears when files are not yet downloaded)
  3. A counter shows progress (e.g., "3 of 12")
  4. Downloads continue even if you navigate away
  5. Use the cancel option to stop remaining downloads

Note: The app automatically checks which files you have already downloaded. Downloaded files show a tick indicator, preventing duplicate downloads.

Remove Downloaded Files

Remove local copies while keeping the original files safe in Dropbox:

  1. When all files in a folder are downloaded, a "Delete All" option appears
  2. A confirmation prompt reminds you that Dropbox files remain untouched
  3. Multiple files are deleted efficiently in one operation
  4. Individual files can also be removed from the Downloads screen

Thumbnail Previews

Automatic Thumbnails

The app creates preview thumbnails for supported file types:

  • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, HEIC, and RAW formats
  • Design Files: Photoshop, Illustrator, and EPS files
  • Documents: First page of PDFs
  • Audio Files: Album artwork when available

Thumbnails appear in different sizes depending on the context - smaller in file lists, larger when viewing file details.

Thumbnail Storage

  • Thumbnails for downloaded files are saved alongside the file
  • Thumbnails for cloud files are kept temporarily during your session
  • Cloud file thumbnails are refreshed when needed
  • Downloaded file thumbnails remain available offline

Supported File Types

Preview-Ready Formats

These files can be previewed directly in the app:

  • Images: All standard formats including RAW and HEIC
  • Documents: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Music Notation: MusicXML, MXL, MEI, ABC notation files
  • Design Files: Photoshop, Illustrator, EPS (thumbnail preview)
  • Media: Audio and video files (with playback controls)

Download-Only Formats

These files must be downloaded before opening:

  • Archive files (ZIP, RAR, 7Z)
  • Executable files
  • Specialist formats without mobile preview support

Offline Behaviour

File States

The app tracks three states for each file:

  • Cloud Only: Available in Dropbox but not on your device
  • Downloaded: Saved to your device for offline access
  • Downloading: Currently being transferred

When You Lose Connection

  • Browsing folders requires an internet connection
  • Downloads pause automatically when you go offline
  • Downloads resume when you reconnect
  • Previously downloaded files remain fully accessible

Keeping Files Current

  • Folder contents refresh each time you open a folder
  • Changes made in Dropbox appear when you next browse
  • Downloaded files stay on your device until you remove them
  • The app does not automatically sync changes to downloaded files

Storage Management

Managing Device Space

The app helps you manage storage on your device:

  • Shows total space used by your downloads
  • Displays storage information in the downloads footer
  • Provides options to delete individual files or clear all downloads
  • Monitors how much space remains on your device

When Storage Is Low

If your device runs very low on space:

  • The app may switch to temporary storage mode
  • Files are kept in memory only while the app is open
  • Downloads will not be saved when you close the app
  • Warning messages alert you to the storage issue

Platform Differences

iPhone and iPad

  • Files open in the native preview viewer
  • Use the share button to open files in other apps
  • If Dropbox is installed, some actions may open in that app

Android

  • Files open in your default app for that file type
  • Choose which app to use when opening files
  • Works with the native file picker

Web Interface

The Seaty website offers additional file management capabilities not available in the mobile app:

Uploading Files

  • Drag and drop files directly onto the file list
  • Upload entire folders with preserved structure
  • Progress tracking with cancellation

Organising Files

  • Create new folders
  • Rename files and folders
  • Move files between folders
  • Bulk select for mass operations

Media Playback

  • Inline audio player with seek controls
  • Video player overlay
  • Skip to next track functionality

Navigation

  • Shareable folder URLs
  • Search across folders

For file management tasks, use the website at Seaty Events or Seaty Organisations. The mobile app remains ideal for offline access and playback during performances.

Common Questions

Connection

Do I need to sign in every time? No. Once connected, your Dropbox access remains active until you disconnect or your session expires. If your session does expire, you will be prompted to sign in again.

What if I use different Dropbox accounts for different events? Each event or organisation can have its own Dropbox connection. You can connect different accounts for different contexts.

Downloads

What happens to my Dropbox files if I delete downloads? Your original files in Dropbox are never affected. Deleting downloads only removes the local copy from your device.

Can I download files while offline? No. You need an internet connection to browse and start downloads. However, once downloaded, files are available offline.

Do downloaded files update automatically? No. If a file changes in Dropbox, you need to download it again to get the updated version. The app does not sync changes automatically.

Storage

How much space do downloaded files use? The Downloads screen shows your total storage usage. Individual file sizes are shown in the file browser.

What happens if my device runs out of space? The app will warn you and may switch to temporary mode where downloads are not saved permanently.

Need help? Contact support@seaty.co.uk