---
title: How to move private file URLs to your own storage | Paperform Help Center | Paperform
description: Learn how to securely transfer private file URLs from Paperform to your own storage solution. Follow our step-by-step guide for seamless file migration.
url: "https://paperform.co/help/articles/how-to-move-private-file-urls-to-your-own-storage"
type: static
generatedAt: "2026-04-04T00:42:02.444Z"
---

How to move private file URLs to your own storage
### Security & Compliance

**This applies to file upload, image upload, or signature form fields (i.e. upload questions), and to any form that generates a custom PDF.**

We generate secure, private URLs to access files uploaded through your form questions and custom PDFs. These URLs are signed and valid for seven days from the time of generation.

 - **Within the first 7 days:** The URL is accessible by anyone who has the link.
 - **After 7 days:** The link becomes restricted. Only the account owner and team members logged into the platform can access it.

If you need to share these files beyond the 7-day period with external collaborators we recommend transferring the files to your own storage solution. Here are two ways to do so:

### 1. Use Our Native Dropbox Integration

You can automatically transfer uploaded files to Dropbox using our [Direct Integration with Dropbox](https://paperform.co/integrations/dropbox/). This is the simplest way to retain access long-term.

### 2. Use a Third-Party Automation Tool (Zapier or Make)

You can use automation platforms to send uploaded files to storage services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or others.

**Here is an example using a Make.com Scenario to store a signature in Google Drive and insert the file into a Google Document.**

![Make.com scenario for storing files to Google Drive](https://img.paperform.co/fetch/f_auto,w_1400/https://d3gw2uv1ch7vdq.cloudfront.net/img/make_scenario.png)

 - Use the `Paperform - New Submission` module as the initial trigger.
 - Add an `HTTP - Make a Request` module using the URL of the signature file from your form submission. Set the **Method** to GET and the **Body type** to Raw.

![http request module in Make](https://img.paperform.co/fetch/f_auto,w_1400/https://d3gw2uv1ch7vdq.cloudfront.net/img/http_request_settings_1.png)
 - Toggle on **Show advanced settings** and set **Follow redirect** to Yes. Paperform's private URLs are actually redirect endpoints that verify access before redirecting to a secure AWS-hosted URL. The `HTTP - Make a Request` module must follow redirects to fetch the actual file.

![redirect settings for http request module](https://img.paperform.co/fetch/f_auto,w_1400/https://d3gw2uv1ch7vdq.cloudfront.net/img/http_request_settings_2.png)
 - Add a `Google Drive - Upload A File` module and set the **File Name** of your signature file and include the `.png` extension. Use the output **Data** from the `HTTP` module in the **Data** field.

![file name settings for Google Drive module](https://img.paperform.co/fetch/f_auto,w_1400/https://d3gw2uv1ch7vdq.cloudfront.net/img/google_drive_upload.png)

**The next steps are not required if you only need to store files in Google Drive.*

**Here is how to insert the signature file into a Google Doc:**

The `Google Docs` module needs a publicly accessible image URL to insert into a new template.

 - Add a `Google Drive - Get A Share Link` module. Set the **File ID** to the output from the `Google Drive - Upload A File` module. Set the **Role** to Reader and the **Type** to Anyone.

![settings for Google Drive get a share link module](https://img.paperform.co/fetch/f_auto,w_1400/https://d3gw2uv1ch7vdq.cloudfront.net/img/google_drive_get_a_share_link.png)
 - Add a `Google Docs - Create A Doc From A Template` module. Replace your placeholder values with data from the submission. Replace the placeholder image in your template body with the **Web Content Link** output from the `Google Drive - Get A Share Link` module.

![settings for Create A Doc From A Template module](https://img.paperform.co/fetch/f_auto,w_1400/https://d3gw2uv1ch7vdq.cloudfront.net/img/create_new_doc_from_template.png)

## Best Practices

 - **Automate Quickly:** Set up automations to move files immediately after submission to avoid missing the 7-day window.
 - **Store Public Copies Separately:** For long-term or external access, use your cloud storage’s public share links, not the original Paperform URL.
 - **Secure Your Data:** Avoid posting private Paperform URLs in public documents or websites, especially within the first 7-day window.

## Gotchas

 - **7-Day Window:** Files must be fetched or copied within 7 days of form submission. After that, accessing the URL will require a logged-in session.
 - **Final URLs and Image Embeds:** If your Make scenario needs a public URL (e.g. for embedding an image in a Google Doc), you must move the file to a service like Google Drive and generate a public share link there.
 - **Manual Recovery After 7 Days:** Once the signed URL expires, you'll need to log in, manually download the file from your Paperform dashboard, and move it to your storage system.
 - The initial public 7-day period cannot be disabled, even when enabling Private File Storage in account settings.