Collecting an Image Link from Google Drive and Dropbox

Summary: This quick guide demystifies the process of obtaining valid direct image URLs (required for blogs, notes, and banners in the Church App), detailing a simple trick to verify a direct URL and providing specific instructions for collecting direct links from Google Drive and Dropbox.

Before You Begin

• You need a direct image URL (the location of the image alone on the internet) for images to display correctly in the Church App.

• Important: A valid URL should show only the image with blank space around it when opened in a new tab.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Collecting an Image Link from Google Drive

1.  Open the preferred image in a new browser window.

2.  Copy the ID for the image from the URL (the string of characters after /d/).

• The URL you'll see will look similar to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D-Huq95lcDOT7rWctsvGRI-kYXynl3gQ/view
  The ID from this URL is 1D-Huq95lcDOT7rWctsvGRI-kYXynl3gQ

3. Add the above ID to the following link: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=
Example: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1D-Huq95lcDOT7rWctsvGRI-kYXynl3gQ

4.  Use this final URL in the Image Link option in the App Dashboard.

Collecting an Image Link from Dropbox

1.  Upload the image to Dropbox.

2.  Hover over the image and Select Share, then Create Link.

3.  Copy the link, paste it into a new browser window, and change the www. to dl in the URL.

4.  Copy that new URL. [You can load the new link to verify you see only the image with blank space around it.]

Verifying Valid Image URLs (Quick Trick)

1.  Right-click the image and select “Open Image in New Tab.”

2.  Check the URL in the address bar. [If the page contains other elements besides the image (e.g., Dropbox pages often do), the URL is likely not valid.]

Troubleshooting & FAQs

• Why is the image link from the Dropbox page not working? Dropbox often includes additional elements on their sharing pages. You must manually change the www. to dl  in the URL to generate a valid, direct image link.

• What should a valid URL show when I test it? A valid URL should show the image alone with blank space around it when loaded in a new browser tab.

• If my image is not from Google Drive or Dropbox, how do I get the URL? Use the Quick Trick: Right-click the image and select “Open Image in New Tab” to find the correct, direct URL.