> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.couchdrop.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.couchdrop.io/get-started/connect-your-existing-storage.md).

# Connect your existing storage

Connect Couchdrop to the storage platform where your files already live.

## Introduction

Couchdrop connects to the storage platform where your files already live, such as SharePoint, Amazon S3, Azure, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

Connected storage appears inside Couchdrop as part of its virtual file system, so you can work with different storage platforms through one consistent folder structure.

Files are not copied into or stored by Couchdrop when you connect a storage platform. When a file is uploaded to a connected folder, Couchdrop transfers it directly to the underlying storage location.

{% hint style="info" %}

#### How connected storage works

A connected storage location appears as a folder in Couchdrop, but the folder is a view of your underlying storage.

For example, if `/SharePoint` is connected to a SharePoint document library, files uploaded to `/SharePoint` are written directly to that SharePoint location. They are not moved into Couchdrop-hosted storage first.

You can organize multiple storage connections within the same Couchdrop virtual file system and use them with SFTP users, file transfers, and automations.
{% endhint %}

## Connect your cloud storage to Couchdrop

{% hint style="warning" %}

### Before you start

To connect your existing storage, you will need:

* Administrator access to your Couchdrop account
* Access to the storage platform you want to connect
* The credentials, account permissions, or API details required by that platform
  {% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create a storage connection

In Couchdrop, select:

**+ Create → Add Storage Connection**

You can also create a connection from the **Connections** page.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose where it appears

Enter a folder name and choose where the connection should appear in Couchdrop.

For example:

`/SharePoint`

{% hint style="info" %}
Connected storage appears in Couchdrop as a virtual folder.

The files remain in the underlying storage platform while Couchdrop provides access to them through its file system.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select your storage platform

Choose the storage platform you want to connect.

You will need the credentials, API key, account access, or permissions required by that platform.

Follow the setup steps shown for the selected connection, then test and save it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check the connection

Open **File Browser**.

Your connected storage should appear as a folder in the location you selected.

Open it and confirm that Couchdrop can browse the files and folders inside it.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Next steps

Your storage is now connected to Couchdrop.

In the previous guide, you created an SFTP user that pointed to Couchdrop-hosted storage.

Now update that user so files uploaded over SFTP go directly to your connected storage.

1. Open **SFTP & FTP Users** and select the user you created earlier.
2. Open the user's settings.
3. Change the **Home Directory** to a folder inside your connected storage.
4. Save the changes.
5. Connect over SFTP using the same user credentials and upload a test file.

Open **File Browser** and confirm the file appears in the connected storage folder.

Because the user's root directory now points to connected storage, files uploaded by that user are written to that storage location rather than Couchdrop-hosted storage.

Next, **build your first automation** to automatically organize files after they arrive.