Blog · October 26, 2026
How to stop a client downloading before approval.
“Downloaded it, looks great, we’re posting Friday.” You were still fixing the color in shot four.
If the link you send for review can also download the file, sooner or later the review copy becomes the final. What you want is a link your client can watch and look through, but not download from, until they approve.
By Vitaly Kibenko
Why it happens.
A shared Dropbox folder or a WeTransfer hands your client the file along with the preview. On Dropbox, turning downloads off on a link needs the Standard or Advanced plan. Send one for notes and your client has the file. Usually that’s fine. Then one day the cut on the brand’s feed is the one with the temp music.
Closed until your client approves.
Downloads start closed
A new project starts with downloads closed, unless you’ve changed that in your defaults. Your client watches the films and looks through the photos, but can’t download anything, at any size, while the project is in review.
The page says why
At the bottom of your client’s page: “All 27 files unlock to download the moment you approve.” Files that can’t be previewed say “Unlocks on approval”.
Your client approves
Approve asks for a name, for the record. On a job with photos and film, your client can approve the photos, the film, or both.
Everything opens on the same link
The watermark comes off and the originals download from the page your client already has, one by one or all at once.
When you want downloads open early.
Sometimes your client needs a file before sign-off, for a rough-cut screening or a press kit. Turn on Download before approval in that project’s Settings. Your account’s Project defaults set what every new project starts with.
If something changes after approval.
Use Reopen for another round from the project’s menu. The originals close again, the watermark comes back, and your client leaves notes on the same link. If you upload a new file after approval, your client can leave notes on it without the approval being undone.
Questions.
Can my client download a smaller copy before approving?
No. While the project is in review, nothing downloads at any size, unless you turn on Download before approval for that project.
Can I hold the files until my client pays?
There’s no payment step in DropYourFiles. Downloads open when your client approves, so if payment comes first for you, say so in the quote and send the invoice with the review link.
What can my client download after approving?
The originals by default. Photos also come as a web size, and films as 1080p or 720p, or 4K when the master is 4K. Everything can come in one go, or your client’s favorites on their own.
How long does a download link last?
Each one is made when your client clicks Download and works for 12 hours. Your client can always come back to the page and click again.
Keep reading.
- How to watermark a video for client review
- Client approval software where Approve opens the finals
- Compared with WeTransfer
- How to send a client a new version of a video
- How to move from Frame.io, comments and all
- How to import comments into Final Cut Pro
New here? See what DropYourFiles does, or compare the plans.
Sources
- Dropbox plans, read October 21, 2026
- WeTransfer pricing, read October 21, 2026
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