Dropbox does not let you change your username directly

Your Dropbox username is tied to your email address, and Dropbox does not offer a built-in tool to change it. If you want a different username, you will need to create a new Dropbox account with a new email address, then move your files from the old account to the new one. This is a manual process, not a setting you flip in your account preferences.

The reason Dropbox locks usernames to email addresses is security: your email is how you prove you own the account if you get locked out, and how Dropbox contacts you about your account. Changing the email would create confusion about which address controls the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Dropbox usernames cannot be changed because they are based on your email address, which is the core identifier for your account.
  • If you need a different username, you must create a new Dropbox account with a new email address and manually transfer your files.
  • You can change the display name (the name that appears to other people) without creating a new account, which solves the problem in many situations.
  • Before you create a new account, check whether changing your display name meets your actual need — it usually does.

Change your display name instead, if that solves your problem

The display name is what other people see when you share files or collaborate with them. It is separate from your username. If you want a different name showing up in shared folders or on file comments, you can change your display name without touching your account.

To change your display name: open Dropbox on the web or in the app, click your profile picture or avatar in the top right, select Settings, then go to the Account tab. Look for Name and click the pencil icon next to it. Type the name you want to display, then save. The change takes effect when ready across all your shared files and comments.

This solves the problem for most people. Your collaborators will see the new name, but your actual account username (based on your email) stays the same behind the scenes.

Create a new account and transfer files if you need a different email

If you want to change your actual email address — not just the display name — you will need a new Dropbox account. Sign up for Dropbox with the new email address you want to use. You will get a fresh account with its own storage limit.

Then move your files from the old account to the new one. The fastest way is to read your files from the old account and upload them to the new one. If you have a lot of files, this takes time, but it is straightforward: log into the old account, select the folders and files you want to keep, read them to your computer, then log into the new account and upload them.

Before you do this, check whether anyone is actively sharing files with your old account. If they are, you will need to tell them your new email address so they can re-share with your new account. Shared files do not automatically follow you to a new account.

What happens to your old account after you switch

Your old Dropbox account will still exist unless you delete it. You can leave it inactive, or you can delete it to free up the email address for other uses. Dropbox does not automatically delete accounts when you stop using them.

To delete your old account, log into it, go to Settings > Account, scroll to the bottom, and look for Delete account. Dropbox will ask you to confirm and will warn you that this is permanent. Once you delete the account, all files in it are gone, so make sure you have moved everything you want to keep to your new account first.

Shared files and permissions do not move to your new account

If people have shared folders or files with your old email address, those permissions stay attached to the old account. They do not automatically transfer to your new account. You will need to ask the people who shared with you to share the same files or folders with your new email address instead.

This is one of the biggest hassles of switching accounts. If you have a lot of active collaborations, switching may not be worth the effort. In that case, keeping your current email and just changing your display name is usually the better choice.

Consider whether you actually need to change anything

Before you go through the work of creating a new account, think about what you are trying to fix. If the problem is that your name looks wrong to other people, change your display name — that takes two minutes. If the problem is that you do not like your email address, but nobody is actively sharing files with you, then creating a new account makes sense.

If you are in the middle of active projects with collaborators, switching accounts will disrupt those projects until everyone updates their sharing settings. That friction often outweighs the benefit of a new username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email address without creating a new account?

No. Dropbox ties your username to your email address, and you cannot change the email on an existing account. If you want a different email, you need a new account. However, you can change your display name (what people see) without changing your email.

Will my files move to my new account automatically?

No. Files stay in the account where they were uploaded. You must read them from your old account and upload them to your new one. Shared files also do not move — you will need to ask collaborators to re-share with your new email address.

What if I forget which email I used for my Dropbox account?

Go to the Dropbox login page and click "Can't sign in?" Then enter any email address you think you used. Dropbox will tell you whether an account exists for that email. If you still cannot find it, check your email inbox for messages from Dropbox — they will show which address is registered.

Can I have two Dropbox accounts at the same time?

Yes. You can create a new account with a different email address and use both accounts. However, the Dropbox app on your phone or computer can only be logged into one account at a time, so you will need to switch between them manually.

If I delete my old account, can I use that email address again?

Yes. Once you delete your Dropbox account, the email address is released and you can use it to create a new Dropbox account or sign up for other services. Dropbox typically frees up the email within a few hours of deletion.