Getting started with Dropbox Replay

What's Dropbox Replay?

Dropbox Replay is a rich media review and approval tool that makes it easy for teams to collect, organize, and finalize feedback on videos, images, audio files, and PDFs.

With frame-accurate comments, drawing tools, version control, and simple sharing options, Replay streamlines creative and technical review cycles whether you’re working with internal teammates, contractors, or external clients.

All Dropbox customers can access a standard version of Replay. Additional collaboration and security features may be available through the Dropbox Replay Add-On, depending on your plan.

Key benefits

Replay is designed to reduce friction in feedback heavy workflows. Below are some of the key benefits that make it valuable for many types of teams.

Adding files and managing versions

Replay supports PDFs, videos, audio files, and images. You can upload files from Dropbox, your computer, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.

Upload files directly into Replay to create a central place for all feedback and version history. This avoids confusion and helps keep reviews organized.

How to add and manage files in Dropbox Replay

To add files to Dropbox Replay:

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Click Add files in the upper-right corner.

3. Select Dropbox, Local drive, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.

4. Choose the file you'd like to add.

   • Note: You can upload multiple files at once from Dropbox or your local drive, but only one file at a time from Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.

5. Click Add or Open. 

Once the upload is complete, a thumbnail of your file will appear under Home. 

Note: Dropbox Replay files are stored in your Dropbox account. If you have a large file or project you’d like to upload to Replay, make sure you have enough available storage space.

How to create a new version of a file in Dropbox Replay

To create a new version of a file:

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Open the file you’d like to add a new version to.

3. Hover over the thumbnail.

4. Click “…”(ellipsis) at the end of the row or in the top right.

5. Hover over New version.

6. Select Dropbox, Local drive, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.

7. Choose the file you'd like to add.

8. Click Add or Open.

Once the upload is complete, the number of file versions will refresh in the thumbnail of the file (Example: V2). To view previous versions, click on the file, then select a version in the Versions dropdown in the upper left.

Best practices

• Use clear and consistent file names

• Upload large files from Dropbox to avoid delays

• Create new versions instead of uploading separate files

Giving and managing feedback

Accurate comments reduce confusion and help teams move faster through review cycles and Replay offers several ways to leave clear and helpful feedback.

How to add comments

You can give collaborators permission to add comments on video, image, or audio files. Comments can also be added to audio or video files during a live review session.

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Open the file you’d like to comment on by clicking on the thumbnail.

3. Drag the playhead, click on the timeline, or select the PDF page where you’d like to post a comment.

4. Type your comment in the text field at the bottom.

5. Click Post.

You’ll see your comment appear on the timeline at the timeframe or page you selected. You can also reply to comments by clicking Reply, edit comments by clicking “⁝” (vertical ellipsis) and then Edit, or resolve comments by clicking the circle icon next to a comment.

How to add quick reactions

You can comment with quick reactions when viewing audio and video files in Dropbox Replay. These are emoji reactions with a pre-filled out text comment for specific frames. Collaborators don’t need to type a comment or have a Dropbox account to use quick reactions. 

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Open the file you’d like to comment on.

3. Click on the specific place in the timeline you’d like to comment on.

4. On the right side of the comment box, select a quick reaction comment. 

   • Note: To delete a quick reaction, hover over your reaction emoji on the timeline and click Delete.

Quick reactions show up on the timeline, but won’t appear in the comment log on the right.

How to comment on a range of time

Collaborators can comment over a range of time in a video or audio file. 

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Open the file you’d like to comment on.

3. Click on the timeline to indicate the beginning of the clip you’d like to comment on.

4. Click in the comment box and you’ll notice that a playhead icon will appear on the timeline.

5. Hold shift and drag the playhead to the point where you’d like your comment to end.

6. Type your comment in the comment box.

7. Click Post.

You’ll see your comment appear on the timeline for the range you selected.

Note: You can't change this range once the comment is posted and it doesn't carry over the annotations on screen for that whole range.

How to draw on an image, PDF, or video

If you’re reviewing an image, PDF, or video, you can draw directly on the content and post your drawings as comments.

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Click the name or thumbnail to open your file for drawing.

3. Video only: Drag the playhead or click on the timeline where you’d like to add a drawing.

4. Hover over the image or video where you’d like to draw.

   • Your cursor will become a pencil icon.

5. Hold and drag your cursor to start drawing.

6. Click the airplane icon to post your drawing as a comment.

   • You can also click the reverse arrow to undo your last action, the trashcan to delete your drawing, the color wheel to choose a different color, and the line icon to change the stroke width.

Note: You can comment on your drawing by clicking in the comment box at the bottom, and then click Post.

Once you post your drawing, you’ll see a new comment appear at the specified timeframe on the timeline. The comment will be annotated with a pencil icon in the Comments section to signify that it’s a drawing.

Best practices

• Use range comments when you want to highlight a longer section

• Draw directly on frames or pages to make visual feedback easier to understand

• Resolve comments after changes have been made

• Encourage quick reactions for fast and simple responses

Organizing work with Projects

A clear project structure helps reviewers move through files quickly and understand how everything fits together.

Projects help you group related files. This approach is helpful for product launches, training modules, marketing campaigns, or any large initiative.

To create a project:

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Click Create project in the upper right.

3. Enter a project name in the box and a project description if required.

4. Click Create.

Your new project will open once you click Create.

To add files to a project:

1. Log in to replay.dropbox.com.

2. Open the project you want to add files to.

3. Click Drag your files or click here.

4. Select Dropbox, Local drive, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.

5. Choose the file or files you’d like to add.

   • You can multi-select files from Dropbox or your local drive, but can only upload one file at a time from Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.

6. Click Add or Open.

Once the upload is complete, a thumbnail of your file will appear in the project folder under Home.

Sharing files and adding people to projects

Sharing from Replay keeps all comments, versions, and decisions in one place. This removes the need for email attachments, large downloads, or scattered feedback channels.

• If you only need file level access, use Share and choose View and comment or View only.

• If you need someone to collaborate across a full project, use Add people to invite them by email and assign Can edit or Can comment, which applies to the entire project and all its files.

Now it’s your turn to explore.

Discover how Dropbox Replay works in practice through the interactive demo below and see how you can create projects, gather feedback, and collaborate with confidence.

From creating projects to gathering feedback and managing permissions, you have seen how Dropbox Replay brings clarity and control to your review process.

Congratulations on completing the course.