I'm trying to figure out if iCloud has a feature similar to Dropbox where I can share a link to a folder without requiring recipients to have an iCloud account. I want to send a folder of files to non-iCloud users, and they should be able to view and download the files just by clicking a link. Is there a way to do this on iCloud without making people join or sign up? I have subscriptions to both iCloud and Dropbox, and while I can do this easily with Dropbox, I'm hoping to use iCloud for backup purposes too.
3 Answers
Our team uses iCloud for shared folders and it’s been okay, but we created a separate Apple ID for that purpose instead of using our personal ones. Just be aware that it still requires an Apple ID for anyone viewing it.
Yes, you can share iCloud folders through the iCloud Drive web interface. Just go to icloud.com/drive, click the three dots next to the folder you want to share, and select 'Collaborate with Others'. Then set the ‘Share Options’ to allow 'anyone with the link' to access it. However, keep in mind that the person accessing it still needs an Apple ID, so it’s not as straightforward as Dropbox.
Exactly, I tried it out and realized they'll still need an Apple ID to view the shared files. So it's not truly 'anyone with the link' without having an account.
I'm not 100% sure, but Apple tends to keep things within their ecosystem tight. If you need ease of sharing, you might be better off using Google Drive, which offers a lot of flexibility for sharing with anyone without requiring them to sign up for anything.
That's a fair point. It’s easier to say something’s better when you haven’t used the other option. Just suggesting based on general reputation.
Why suggest something when you haven't tried it yourself? If you don't use Google Drive, how can you really compare?
Yep, that’s right. It's a bummer because even though you have the link, they need their own Apple ID to access the files.