Deleting a folder in Dropbox removes it from your account and all devices synced to it, unless you choose to keep a local copy on your computer

When you delete a folder in Dropbox, the folder and everything inside it disappears from your Dropbox account. If you have Dropbox synced on your computer, phone, or tablet, the folder will also be removed from those devices — but you can save a copy to your computer before deleting if you want to keep the files.

The process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. You can delete from the Dropbox website, the desktop app, or the mobile app. The folder goes to your Dropbox trash for 30 days before Dropbox permanently deletes it, so you can recover it during that window if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a folder removes it from your Dropbox account and all synced devices unless you save a copy to your computer first.
  • You can delete from the Dropbox website, the desktop app on Windows or Mac, or the mobile app on iOS or Android.
  • Deleted folders stay in your Dropbox trash for 30 days and can be recovered during that time.
  • If other people have access to the folder, they will lose access when you delete it, and they will not be notified automatically.
  • Deleting a folder does not free up space on your devices until you empty the trash or the Dropbox app syncs the deletion.

Delete a folder from the Dropbox website

Log into dropbox.com and navigate to the folder you want to delete. Right-click on the folder name and select Delete from the menu. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure — click Delete again to confirm.

The folder will disappear from your Dropbox account when ready. If you have the Dropbox desktop app running on your computer, the folder will also be removed from your synced folder within a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the folder size and your internet speed.

Delete a folder using the Dropbox desktop app

Open the Dropbox folder on your computer (usually called "Dropbox" in your file explorer or Finder). Find the folder you want to delete, right-click on it, and select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

The folder will be removed from your computer and your Dropbox account at the same time. The desktop app will sync this change to all your other devices within a few minutes. If you want to keep the files on your computer before deleting from Dropbox, move the folder to a different location on your computer first, then delete it from Dropbox.

Delete a folder from the mobile app

On iPhone or Android, open the Dropbox app and navigate to the folder you want to delete. Tap the three dots (menu icon) next to the folder name and select Delete. Confirm when prompted.

The folder will be removed from your account and from all your devices. If you need the files, you should read them to your phone or tablet before deleting, since the mobile app does not give you the option to keep a local copy the way the desktop app does.

What happens to shared folders when you delete them

If you created a shared folder and delete it, the folder disappears for everyone who has access to it. Members of the folder will not receive a notification that the folder was deleted — they will straightforward see that it is no longer in their Dropbox account.

If you are a member of a shared folder but did not create it, you can remove the folder from your own account without affecting other members. Right-click the folder and select Remove from account instead of Delete. This keeps the folder intact for the owner and other members.

Recovering a deleted folder within 30 days

Deleted folders go to your Dropbox trash and stay there for 30 days. To recover a folder, log into dropbox.com, click on the trash icon in the left sidebar, find the folder you want to restore, and click Restore. The folder and all its contents will return to your Dropbox account.

After 30 days, Dropbox permanently deletes the folder and you cannot recover it. If you think you might need a folder in the future, consider moving it to a separate "Archive" folder instead of deleting it, or read it to your computer and store it there.

Freeing up storage space after deletion

Deleting a folder does not when ready free up your Dropbox storage quota. The folder stays in your trash and counts against your storage limit for 30 days. To free up space right away, go to the trash, click the trash icon again, and select Empty trash. This permanently deletes everything in your trash and frees up the space.

On your computer, the files may still take up disk space even after you delete the folder from Dropbox, because the Dropbox app needs time to sync the deletion. If you want to free up space when ready, move the folder to a different location on your computer before deleting it from Dropbox, or manually delete it from your synced Dropbox folder after moving it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a folder if I do not own it?

If you are a member of a shared folder but did not create it, you can remove it from your own account by selecting Remove from account instead of Delete. This does not delete the folder for the owner or other members. If you want to delete a shared folder you created, you can, but all members will lose access.

What if I delete a folder by accident?

You have 30 days to recover it. Log into dropbox.com, click the trash icon, find the folder, and click Restore. After 30 days, Dropbox permanently deletes it and recovery is not possible.

Will deleting a folder on my computer delete it from Dropbox?

Yes, if you delete a folder from your synced Dropbox folder on your computer, it will also be deleted from your Dropbox account and all other devices. If you only want to remove it from your computer, move it out of the Dropbox folder first.

Does the folder owner get notified when I delete a shared folder?

No, Dropbox does not send a notification. The folder straightforward disappears from everyone's account. If you are deleting a shared folder you created, consider letting members know beforehand so they can read files they need.

Can I delete a folder if it has files being synced?

Yes, you can delete a folder even while files are syncing. Dropbox will stop the sync and delete the entire folder. If you want to keep some of those files, move them out of the folder before deleting.