How to Download File Count with Android and Dropbox API

Are you tired of not being able to track the download count of your shared files on Dropbox? While Dropbox doesn't provide a direct way to view this information, there are workarounds that can help you achieve this. In this article, we'll explore two viable methods to monitor your file's download count using Android and the Dropbox API.

Firstly, let's discuss why Dropbox is not intended for storing downloadable files. According to their policy, users can only download or save files into their own Dropbox account. However, it's still possible to share files publicly via a public link, making it easy for others to access your content.

One of the most popular URL shortening services that provides detailed statistics about link clicks is Bitly. With Bitly, you can see the click count in specific ranges of time, including hourly, 7 days, and 30 days. Their statistics report is more comprehensive compared to other similar services I've tried. Additionally, Bitly also shows us geographical reports, recording the places where our links are clicked.

However, what if you want to monitor your shared files download count directly? Unfortunately, Dropbox doesn't provide a downloaded link count. But fear not! There's a solution using the Dropbox API. The Dropbox API allows developers to build plugins that can help you track file downloads.

To use the Dropbox API, you'll need to create an app and obtain an access token. Once you have this, you can use it to query the Dropbox API and retrieve information about your shared files. You can then use this data to calculate the download count of your files.

In conclusion, while Dropbox doesn't provide a direct way to view file download counts, there are workarounds available using Android and the Dropbox API. By using Bitly's URL shortening service and the Dropbox API, you can track your file's download count and gain valuable insights into how your shared content is being used.

Android dropbox api download file