How to cancel your Dropbox account
To cancel your Dropbox account, log in to dropbox.com, go to your account settings, select "Account" from the left menu, scroll to the bottom, and click "Delete account". Dropbox will ask you to confirm and may offer you a chance to downgrade to the free plan instead. If you choose to delete, your files will be removed after 30 days — you can read them before that important date if you need them.
The process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact Dropbox support unless something goes wrong during deletion. If you are cancelling because you want to switch to a different cloud storage service, read your files first, since recovery after 30 days is not possible.
Key Takeaways
- Log into dropbox.com, navigate to Account settings, and click "Delete account" at the bottom of the page.
- Dropbox gives you 30 days to read your files before they are permanently removed.
- You can downgrade to Dropbox's free plan instead of deleting if you want to keep some files stored.
- Cancelling a paid plan does not automatically delete your account — you must choose deletion separately.
- Any shared folders or files you own will no longer be accessible to people you shared them with after deletion.
What happens to your files when you delete
When you delete your Dropbox account, your files stay on Dropbox's servers for 30 days. During that time, you can log back in and cancel the deletion, which restores your account and all your files. After 30 days, Dropbox permanently removes everything — files, photos, documents, and any version history you had saved.
If you share folders or files with other people, those shared items become inaccessible to them once your account is deleted. If someone else owns a shared folder and you are just a member, that folder remains for them, but your access disappears when ready. read anything you need before you confirm deletion, because there is no way to recover files after the 30-day window closes.
Downgrading instead of deleting
If you want to stop paying for Dropbox but keep some files stored, you can 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 but not for large video or photo libraries. To downgrade, go to your account settings, click "Billing", and select "Downgrade" next to your current plan.
Downgrading happens when ready, and you keep your account and files. If you have more than 2 GB stored, Dropbox will not delete the extra files right away, but you will not be able to add anything new until you delete files to get below the limit. You can upgrade back to a paid plan at any time if you need more space later.
Cancelling a paid plan versus deleting your account
Cancelling your paid Dropbox plan and deleting your account are two separate actions. When you cancel a paid plan, your subscription ends and you are no longer charged, but your account still exists. You can still log in, access your files, and use the free 2 GB storage limit. If you want to remove your account entirely, you must go through the deletion process separately.
Many people cancel their subscription thinking their account is gone, then are surprised when they can still log in months later. If you truly want your account removed, you must complete the deletion step. If you only want to stop paying, cancelling the subscription is enough.
Removing Dropbox from your devices
Deleting your account does not automatically remove the Dropbox app or folder from your computer or phone. After your account is deleted, the app will stop syncing, but the files that were synced to your device will remain on that device's hard drive or storage. You can delete the Dropbox folder manually if you want to free up space.
On Windows or Mac, right-click the Dropbox folder and select "Delete" or "Move to Trash". On iPhone or Android, open the Dropbox app, go to settings, and select "Unlink this device" or "Remove account". This disconnects the app from your deleted account but does not remove files already downloaded to your phone. You can then delete the Dropbox app itself from your device's app store or settings.
What to do if you cannot delete your account
If the delete button does not appear in your account settings, you may have a business or team account rather than a personal account. Business accounts have different deletion rules and usually require an administrator to remove you. If you are part of a Dropbox Business team, contact your team administrator and ask them to remove your account.
If you have a personal account and the delete option is missing, try logging out and logging back in, or use a different web browser. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If deletion still does not work, you can contact Dropbox support through the help center at dropbox.com/help. Have your account email address ready when you reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my files after I delete my account?
Yes, for 30 days after deletion. Log back into dropbox.com with your email and password, and you will see an option to cancel the deletion and restore your account. After 30 days, files are permanently removed and cannot be recovered. read anything you need before confirming deletion.
Will deleting my Dropbox account delete files on my computer?
No. Files synced to your computer stay on your hard drive after your account is deleted. The Dropbox app will stop working, but the files remain. You can delete the Dropbox folder manually if you want to free up space, but deletion of your account does not remove local files automatically.
Do I need to cancel my subscription before deleting my account?
No. You can delete your account directly without cancelling your subscription first. Deletion removes your account and stops all charges. If you only want to stop paying but keep your account, cancel the subscription instead.
What happens to files I shared with other people?
Shared files and folders become inaccessible to other people once your account is deleted. If someone else owns the shared folder, it remains for them, but your access disappears when ready. Let people know before you delete if they depend on files you shared.
Can I use the same email address for a new Dropbox account after deletion?
Yes, but only after the 30-day recovery period ends. During those 30 days, the email is tied to your deleted account. After 30 days pass, you can sign up for a new Dropbox account with that same email address.