As we’re continuously working with clients, our team was really fond of the setting “can view prototypes only”: sometimes we would invite specific people to view a prototype, other times we would allow anyone with the link and password to view the prototypes. This allowed us to be sure not to share the actual design file with the client (sometimes because they wouldn’t need it, or because we would prepare a specific file for the client).
Here is a screenshot I found online for reference:
We recently figured out that Figma updated the Share modal:
So, the text in the bubble seemed clear, but then the settings texts just got me a bit confused, I guess it’s because they use similar wording which might seem contradicting at a first glance (keep in mind my team and I are not native English speakers):
Furthermore, we got quite overwhelmed as we’re working with files which are 2+ years old and those are shared with clients, therefore we wanted to check if any settings changed. Some files have this message over the share settings:
Do you have any recommendations to follow? Am I the only one who got disoriented from this update? I also looked up on the Figma help platform, the forums and anywhere on the Internet but haven’t found anything specific.
PS: I really hope Figma will create a Best Practice guide page which could be really helpful and inspiring on this matter!
We hear the confusion about the change. According to the release note from May 23rd, the sharing behavior isn’t changed:
4. Prototype sharing: Prototype sharing behavior/policy has not changed, but will be presented through a dedicated prototype share dialog, rather than presented as a role on the main file.
Also, thanks for the feedback. I shared it with our internal team. Please feel free to let us know if you have further questions.
Real answer: Figma has put the ability to share prototypes without giving access to your editable file behind a paywall. You now have to have a paid plan to use this functionality.
I just found out that this option is suddenly missing at the worst possible timing – during my research team had a meeting with a client and there was no one around to fix the sharing settings
Like you, I didn’t find any Figma help or announcement about it – the only thing I found is your post, so +1 to being disoriented.
It seems our support team needs to investigate the file sharing permission, which we can’t support in public here. Could you please reach out directly to the support team with a copy of your file: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/requests/new? Our support team will look into it.
Please make sure you use the email associated with your Figma account, include links to the file in question, and share access with support-share@figma.com. Don’t worry, inviting us to view your file won’t impact your billing.
I wonder why this topic is not bigger - sharing ONLY prototypes was crucial in multiple scenarios, and now we don’t have such an option? It’s a pity… Is there any workaround to lock “Open in editor” option right now? Or do I need to put things in separate files so the client won’t have an access to everything in design file?
To be honest, I don’t understand this wording. Can you rephrase? Obviously, it has changed. Now there are two types of access: restricted, that is, by invitation, or completely open access to the file. Where can be found now the functionality to give everyone access only to the prototype?
Hey All, sorry for the continues trouble and confusion!
We did recently change the entry point for sharing prototypes with prototype only viewing access.
To share prototypes only, you will need to share from the “Share prototype” button while in the prototype viewer and not the Share button in the Editor view.
The steps to do this are:
Open the file in Presentation Mode by pressing the Present button in the toolbar
Click the blue “Share prototype” button at the top right
Select Only those invited.
Select Anyone and then save. This means anyone with the URL to the prototype will be able to see just the prototype.
Hey! I just tested this and followed your steps above. The only issue is allowing (approving) an invited user to view your prototype also allows them access to your design pages. There is no option to grant them access to one or the other, they are both combined now, regardless of if you click the link while in presentation mode.
After I was granted access to one of my personal projects with a fake Figma account, I could see the prototype and the design pages. The only way for me to see both of them is through a direct link. But there is no restriction stopping me from seeing the design pages.
It would be helpful if on the “Share this file” page you had a dropdown that says “can view only prototype”, and when someone used the direct link to go to the design pages they are blocked. Where as right now you are not blocked.
Thanks and I hope you all can figure this one out, love using Figma!!
Agreed! We are having issues where our clients are getting notified when we comment to each other in our designs and view our prototypes before presentations. We want to lock that down so they can only view the presentations.
Hey everyone, this looks odd. I can’t reproduce it on my end
Please also make sure they are not invited to the main file to ensure they can only access the prototype.
If the issue still occurs, I’d like our support team to investigate further with a URL of your file so they can try to replicate directly: here
Be also sure to use your Figma email account, include a link to the file, and add support-share@figma.com as an Editor (this won’t impact your billing at all), and also share a quick video recording with the steps you have done, so we can better visualise it. Thanks!
