Install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04: Easy Guide for Beginners

This guide from Orcacore aims to teach you how to Install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04. Dropbox is a personal cloud storage service (sometimes referred to as an online backup service) that is frequently used for file sharing and collaboration. The Dropbox application is available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux desktop operating systems. There are also apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry devices. Let’s dive into how to Install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04.

Steps To Install Dropbox and Dropbox CLI on Ubuntu 22.04

To complete this guide, you must log in to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. To do this, you can follow our guide on Initial Server Setup with Ubuntu 22.04.

Install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04

First, you need to update your local package index with the following command:

sudo apt update

Dropbox Download Linux

At this point, you need to download the Dropbox package from the official Dropbox website using the wget command. To complete the download Dropbox package for 64-bit OS and extract it, run the following command in the Terminal:

sudo cd ~ && sudo wget -O - "https://www.dropbox.com/download?plat=lnx.x86_64" | tar xzf -

In the case of 32-bit OS, you have to run the following command in the Terminal:

sudo cd ~ && sudo wget -O - "https://www.dropbox.com/download?plat=lnx.x86" | tar xzf -

Note: The above command will create a hidden folder “.dropbox-dist” under your Home directory. To view this hidden folder, navigate to your Home Directory using the cd ~ command and type ls -a.

Next, run the Dropbox daemon with the following command:

sudo ~/.dropbox-dist/dropboxd

Note: If you’re running Dropbox on your server for the first time, you’ll be asked to copy and paste a link in a working browser to create a new account or add your server to an existing account. Once you do, your Dropbox folder will be created in your home directory.

Access Dropbox App

At this point, you have learned to complete the download Dropbox and install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04. Now you can access the Dropbox app on your Ubuntu 22.04 desktop under Applications > Internet. Click on it to run your Dropbox app.

When you subscribe to Dropbox, you are allotted a certain amount of storage space in an online server known as “the cloud.” After installing the Dropbox app on your PC, mobile device, or Linux, any files that you store in your Dropbox locally will be copied to the Dropbox server as well.

Dropbox Command-Line Interface

Dropbox also includes a command-line interface (CLI) that lets you control Dropbox with the command line. It allows you to start, stop, synchronize, and view the current status of each file.

First, you need to install Python on Ubuntu 22.04:

sudo apt install python3

Download the Dropbox Command Line

Then, you need to download a Python script. It will be used to control Dropbox from the command line. Run the following command in the Terminal to download the Python script:

sudo wget -O /usr/local/bin/dropbox "https://www.dropbox.com/download?dl=packages/dropbox.py"

Next, make the script executable with the command below:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/dropbox

To list all the commands that can be used to control Dropbox CLI, simply run the following command:

dropbox

[Image of Dropbox command-line interface]

For example, to view the version of Dropbox, run the command below:

dropbox version

[Image of dropbox version]

Conclusion

Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows you to save files online, access and share them easily, work on shared files, and automatically save and back up files. At this point, you have learned to install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04, download DropBox CLI, and start working with it. We hope this guide helped you install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04.

Hope you enjoy it. You may also like these articles too:

Fix Waiting for Cache Lock Error on Ubuntu
Install and Configure Cacti on Ubuntu 22.04

Alternative Methods to Install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04

While the above method using wget and the Dropbox daemon works well, there are alternative approaches that can be considered, especially for users who prefer using package managers or GUI-based installations.

1. Using Snap Package Manager

Snap is a package management system that is pre-installed on Ubuntu 22.04. It allows you to install applications in a sandboxed environment, which can provide better security and stability. Dropbox is available as a Snap package.

Explanation:

Snaps are containerized software packages that are easy to install and update. They bundle all the dependencies needed for an application to run, ensuring consistency across different systems. Using Snap provides an easy and relatively isolated way to install Dropbox on Ubuntu 22.04.

Installation Steps:

Update Snap: It’s always a good practice to update Snap before installing any new packages:
```
sudo snap refresh
```
Install Dropbox via Snap:
```
sudo snap install dropbox
```
Run Dropbox: After the installation is complete, you can launch Dropbox from your application menu or by typing dropbox in the terminal. The first time you run it, it will prompt you to link your account.

Advantages of using Snap:

Simplified Installation: The snap install command handles dependencies automatically.
Automatic Updates: Snaps are automatically updated in the background.
Sandboxing: Snaps run in a confined environment, enhancing security.

2. Using the Ubuntu Software Center (GUI Method)

For users who prefer a graphical interface, the Ubuntu Software Center provides a user-friendly way to install Dropbox.

Explanation:

The Ubuntu Software Center is a graphical application store that allows you to browse and install applications with ease. It provides a simple and intuitive way to search for Dropbox and install it without using the command line. This is particularly helpful for users less familiar with terminal commands.