Cancel Dropbox in three steps from your account settings

To cancel Dropbox, sign into your account on dropbox.com, go to Settings, select the Plan tab, and click "Downgrade" at the bottom of the page. Dropbox will walk you through choosing a free plan or deleting your account entirely. If you chose to downgrade to the free plan, your subscription ends when ready and you will not be charged again. If you chose to delete your account, Dropbox gives you 30 days to change your mind before the deletion becomes permanent.

The process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact Dropbox support unless something goes wrong during these steps. Your files remain accessible during the downgrade or the 30-day deletion window, so you have time to read anything you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into dropbox.com, open Settings, click the Plan tab, and select Downgrade to stop paying for Dropbox.
  • You can downgrade to the free plan (which keeps your account) or delete your account entirely (which gives you 30 days to undo it).
  • Charges stop when ready when you downgrade; you will not be billed for the next month.
  • Files stay in your account for 30 days after deletion, so you can read them before the account is permanently removed.

What happens to your files when you cancel

If you downgrade to the free plan, your account stays active and you keep all your files. The free plan gives you 2 GB of storage, so if you are using more than that, Dropbox will not delete files automatically — instead, your account goes into a read-only state until you delete files or upgrade again.

If you delete your account entirely, Dropbox holds your files for 30 days. During this window, you can sign back in and read anything you need. After 30 days, the account and all files are permanently removed. There is no way to recover them after that point.

Downgrading to the free plan instead of cancelling

Downgrading keeps your Dropbox account active but removes the paid features. You get 2 GB of free storage instead of the 2 TB (or more) that comes with a paid plan. Shared links still work, and anyone you have invited to folders can still access them.

This is useful if you want to keep Dropbox but do not need the extra storage right now. You can upgrade again at any time by going back to the Plan tab and selecting a paid plan. Downgrading is also the faster option if you are not sure whether you want to cancel permanently.

Deleting your account completely

To delete your account instead of just downgrading, choose "Delete account" instead of "Downgrade to free" during the cancellation process. Dropbox will ask you to confirm your password and will show you how much storage you are using. After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day deletion window.

During these 30 days, you can still sign in and read your files. If you change your mind, you can cancel the deletion by signing in again — Dropbox will ask if you want to keep your account. After 30 days pass with no action, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be undone.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password, click "Can't sign in?" on the Dropbox login page and follow the password reset steps. Dropbox will send a link to the email address on file. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need to contact Dropbox support through their help center at help.dropbox.com.

If your account was hacked or compromised, change your password when ready after signing in. Then go to Settings, select Security, and review your connected apps and devices. Remove anything you do not recognize. After securing your account, you can proceed with downgrading or deletion as normal.

Refunds and billing after cancellation

Dropbox does not refund charges for the current billing period. If you cancel mid-month, you have already paid for that month and will not receive a refund. However, you will not be charged again after cancellation. Your next billing date is listed in the Plan tab, and that charge will not occur once you downgrade.

If you were charged after cancelling, or if you see a charge you do not recognize, contact Dropbox support with your receipt or invoice number. They can review the charge and process a refund if there was an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Dropbox on my phone or tablet?

You can downgrade to the free plan from the Dropbox mobile app by opening Settings, tapping Account, and selecting your plan. However, to fully delete your account, you need to use a web browser and sign into dropbox.com. The mobile app does not have the account deletion option.

What if I have shared files with other people?

Shared links and folder invitations stay active after you downgrade or delete your account, but only for 30 days if you delete. After that, people can no longer access files you shared. If you downgrade instead, shared files remain accessible as long as the other person keeps their Dropbox account.

Do I lose my files when ready when I cancel?

No. If you downgrade to free, your files stay in your account (though you are limited to 2 GB). If you delete your account, files stay for 30 days and you can read them anytime during that window. After 30 days, deletion becomes permanent.

Can I cancel my Dropbox subscription without deleting my account?

Yes. Choose "Downgrade to free" instead of "Delete account" during cancellation. This stops charges but keeps your account and files active. You can upgrade again later if you need more storage.

What if I see a charge after I cancelled?

Check your cancellation confirmation email to confirm the date the cancellation took effect. If you see a charge after that date, contact Dropbox support at help.dropbox.com with your receipt. They can review the charge and issue a refund if it was made in error.