Connect a cloud
Choose the cloud CloudDrop uploads to in the setup assistant, then sign in the way that cloud needs. This page lists the steps and the fields for each one.
The assistant opens the first time you start CloudDrop. Select Get Started, pick a cloud under Choose where to upload, select Continue, confirm the folders, and you reach the sign-in page described below.
Good to know
Nextcloud, WebDAV, S3-compatible storage, SFTP and MEGA are previews in 0.3.1: they are tested against test servers, not yet against real accounts. Try them with files you also keep elsewhere before you rely on them.
Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox
These three sign in through your browser.
Select Sign In with Google, Sign In with OneDrive or Sign In with Dropbox.
In the browser page that opens, choose your account and allow CloudDrop.
Return to CloudDrop. If the browser page was closed, select Open Sign-in Again.
What CloudDrop can reach:
| Cloud | Where your files go | What CloudDrop can see |
|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | A CloudDrop folder in My Drive | Only files it created itself |
| OneDrive | Apps/CloudDrop | Only its own app folder |
| Dropbox | Apps/CloudDrop | Only its own app folder |
OneDrive work or school accounts use the same button, but your organisation's administrator may need to approve CloudDrop first.
Google Drive with your own key
The Windows zip and builds from source have no Google sign-in built in. The assistant then shows Connect a Google key and walks you through creating a free one. It takes about five minutes, once. Each button in the assistant opens the right page in Google Cloud.
Create a project in Google Cloud. Any name works.
Enable the Google Drive API for that project.
In Google Auth Platform, select Get started, enter an app name and your email, and choose External.
Under Data Access, select Add or remove scopes and add
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file.Under Audience, select Publish app, so your sign-in does not expire after 7 days.
Under Clients, create a client of type Desktop app and select Download JSON.
In CloudDrop, select Choose Downloaded Key File… and pick that file. You can paste the Client ID and Client secret instead.
Nextcloud
Under Server address, enter your server's address, for example
https://cloud.example.com. It must start withhttps://.Select Sign In.
Approve CloudDrop in the browser page your Nextcloud shows.
Your Nextcloud hands CloudDrop an app password of its own, so CloudDrop never sees your main password.
Other WebDAV servers
Fill in the form, select Test Connection, then Continue.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Server address | The WebDAV address of your files |
| User name | Your account name |
| App password | An app password made in your account's security settings |
| Folder | Optional. Where the CloudDrop folder goes, for example Backups. Empty means the top level |
S3-compatible storage
Works with Amazon S3 and services that speak the same protocol, such as Backblaze B2, Wasabi, Cloudflare R2, MinIO and Garage.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Endpoint | The service's address. Leave empty for Amazon S3 |
| Region | Optional. us-east-1 when empty; auto for Cloudflare R2 |
| Bucket | The bucket name |
| Folder in the bucket | Optional. Empty means the top of the bucket |
| Access key ID | Use a key that can only reach this bucket (and folder) |
| Secret access key | The key's secret |
| Addressing | Optional: path or virtual |
S3 has no real folders, so renames work differently there. See How upload-only works.
SFTP
SFTP uploads to a folder on a server you reach over SSH.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Server | The server's name, for example sftp.example.com |
| Port | Optional. 22 when empty |
| User name | Your account on the server |
| Folder on the server | Optional. Empty means your home folder |
| SSH key | Optional. Leave empty to use ssh-agent or a password |
| Password | Only if the server signs in with a password |
| Key passphrase | Only if the SSH key has one |
| Server fingerprint | Filled in when you test the connection |
When you select Test Connection, CloudDrop shows the server's fingerprint and remembers it. Compare it with the fingerprint your server's administrator gives you before you continue: it is how CloudDrop knows it is talking to the right server next time.
MEGA
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Your MEGA account email | |
| Password | Used once to sign in; CloudDrop keeps only the session |
| Two-factor code | The 6-digit code from your authenticator app, if two-factor authentication is on |
MEGA has no app-folder permission, so the session covers your whole account. CloudDrop uses one folder in it.
Where passwords and keys are kept
Passwords and keys are saved apart from the settings, in a file readable only by you. They are never written into the config file.
Sign in again, sign out or switch cloud
Open Settings and find the account section.
- Sign In Again renews an expired sign-in. Uploads resume by themselves.
- Sign Out stops uploads until you sign in again. Nothing is removed from the cloud or from this computer.
- Switch Provider… moves the folder to another cloud. Everything in your CloudDrop folder is uploaded again to the place you pick. Nothing is deleted from the old cloud.