Deleting your Dropbox account removes all your files and ends your subscription

When you delete a Dropbox account, the company permanently removes your files from their servers and cancels any paid plan you have. You cannot undo this action after 30 days. If you want to keep your files, download them to your computer before you delete the account. If you just want to stop paying, you can downgrade to the free plan instead of deleting entirely.

The deletion process takes about five minutes and happens through your account settings on Dropbox's website. You do not need to contact Dropbox support unless something goes wrong during the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your account removes all files permanently after 30 days, so download anything you need first.
  • You can downgrade to Dropbox's free plan (2 GB of storage) instead of deleting if you want to keep some files.
  • The deletion happens in your account settings under "Account" and "Delete account", and you must confirm your password.
  • Dropbox gives you 30 days to change your mind and restore your account before files are erased permanently.
  • If you have a paid plan, deletion cancels it immediately and you will not be refunded for unused time.

Download your files before you delete

Before you start the deletion process, download any files you want to keep. Dropbox does not send you a copy of your files when you delete—you have to get them yourself. The easiest way is to download your entire Dropbox folder at once.

Sign in to Dropbox on the web, click the folder icon at the top left, then right-click on "Dropbox" (the main folder). Select "Download" and your browser will create a .zip file with everything inside. Depending on how much you have stored, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. If your Dropbox is very large (over 20 GB), downloading everything at once may time out—in that case, download folders one at a time instead.

If you only need a few specific files, you can download them individually by right-clicking each one and selecting "Download". You can also use the Dropbox desktop app on your computer to copy files directly to your hard drive without downloading through the browser.

Delete your account through settings

Go to dropbox.com and sign in with your email and password. Click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner, then select "Settings" from the menu.

In the Settings page, click the "Account" tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see a section labeled "Delete account" near the bottom. Click the button that says "Delete account" or "Permanently delete account"—the exact wording varies depending on whether you have a free or paid plan.

Dropbox will ask you to confirm your password one more time. Type it in and click the button to proceed. You will see a message saying your account is scheduled for deletion. At this point, your files are still there for 30 days, but you cannot sign in anymore.

What happens during the 30-day grace period

After you delete your account, Dropbox keeps your files on their servers for 30 days. During this time, you can restore your account by signing in with your email and password. If you sign in, your files and settings come back exactly as they were.

After 30 days pass, Dropbox permanently erases all your files and cannot recover them. You will not receive a warning email when the 30 days are almost up, so mark your calendar if you think you might change your mind.

If you have a paid plan, deletion cancels it right away. You will not receive a refund for any unused time remaining on your subscription. If you were billed monthly, your next charge will not happen. If you were billed yearly, contact Dropbox support to ask about a refund, though they are not required to give one.

Downgrade to the free plan instead of deleting

If you want to keep some files but do not want to pay for Dropbox anymore, downgrade to the free plan instead of deleting your account. The free plan gives you 2 GB of storage, which is enough for documents and a few photos. You keep your account, your email address stays linked to Dropbox, and you can upgrade again later if you need more space.

To downgrade, go to Settings, click the "Billing" tab, and look for your current plan. Click "Change plan" or "Downgrade" and select the free option. Confirm the change. If you have more than 2 GB of files, Dropbox will warn you that some files will be hidden from sync until you delete them or upgrade again. You can still see and download hidden files through the website, but they will not appear in your Dropbox folder on your computer.

What to do if you cannot delete your account

If the delete button does not appear in your settings, you may have a business account instead of a personal account. Business accounts (Dropbox for Teams or Dropbox Business) can only be deleted by the team admin or account owner. If you are a team member, ask your admin to remove you from the team. If you are the owner, you may need to transfer ownership to someone else first or contact Dropbox support.

If you see an error message when you try to delete, try signing out completely, clearing your browser cache, and signing back in. If the problem continues, use a different browser or device. If it still does not work, contact Dropbox support through their help center—they can delete your account manually, though it may take a few business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I delete my account mid-subscription?

Dropbox does not refund unused time when you delete a paid account. If you were charged for a yearly plan, contact Dropbox support and ask—they may make an exception, but they are not required to. Monthly subscriptions simply stop charging after deletion.

Will Dropbox delete my files immediately or wait 30 days?

Dropbox keeps your files for 30 days after you delete your account. If you sign back in during that time, everything is restored. After 30 days, files are permanently erased and cannot be recovered. Dropbox does not send a reminder before the 30 days end.

What happens to files I shared with other people?

Shared links stop working after your account is deleted. People who have access to your shared folders will lose that access. If you want them to keep the files, move them to a shared folder owned by someone else before you delete your account.

Can I delete my account on the Dropbox mobile app?

No, you must delete your account through the Dropbox website. The mobile app does not have a delete option. Sign in on a computer or phone browser, go to Settings, and follow the steps in the Account tab.

What if I forget my password and cannot delete my account?

Go to the Dropbox sign-in page and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address and Dropbox will send you a reset link. Once you reset your password, sign in and delete your account normally. If you no longer have access to your email address, contact Dropbox support.