How to create a Dropbox account

Dropbox is a single, organized place for all your files. With features like folder suggestions and calendar integration, Dropbox helps you stay focused on your most important work. 

Sections in this article:

How to sign up for Dropbox

To sign up for a Dropbox account:

  1. Create an account on dropbox.com.
  2. Type your name and email address (your email address is the username for your Dropbox account).
  3. Type a unique password.
  4. Click the box to agree to the Dropbox terms.
  5. Click Create an account.

If you already installed the Dropbox mobile or computer apps, you can also create an account by launching the app and clicking Sign up.

How to install Dropbox apps

You can access your Dropbox files from dropbox.com or the Dropbox apps. Install the Dropbox apps on your computer, phone, or tablet to access your files from all your devices.

To install the Dropbox app on your computer:

  1. Download the Dropbox desktop app on your computer.
  2. Run the installer.
  3. Sign in or create a Dropbox account. You only need one account no matter how many devices you want to keep in sync.

To install the Dropbox app on your phone or tablet:

  1. On your phone or tablet, download the Dropbox mobile app through the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app.
  3. Sign in or create a Dropbox account. You only need one account no matter how many devices you want to keep in sync.

How to add files to your Dropbox account

Once you create an account, you can add files to your Dropbox account. Any files you add to your Dropbox account sync across all your computers, phones, and tablets where you installed Dropbox.

To add files from dropbox.com:

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click Upload.
  3. Click Files or Folder.
    • If you chose Files, select as many files as you like and click Open.
    • If you chose Folder, select a folder and click Upload.

Note: Each file or folder that you upload on dropbox.com must be 50 GB or smaller. For larger files or folders, use the desktop or mobile apps, which don’t have a file size limit.

To add files from your computer:

  1. Open your file explorer.
  2. Navigate to the Dropbox folder.
  3. Copy and paste or drag and drop files into the Dropbox folder.

When you add files to your Dropbox folder, they'll upload to Dropbox. Once your files have green check icons over the file icons, they have successfully uploaded to Dropbox.

To add files from your phone or tablet:

  1. Open the Dropbox app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap the + (plus) icon.
  3. Tap Create or upload file.
  4. Tap Upload File.

Which Dropbox plan should I choose?

We recommend trying out:

  • Dropbox Basic if you want to try the basic syncing and sharing features of Dropbox for free, with 2 GB of storage space.
  • Dropbox Plus if you want 2 TB of space, as well as advanced syncing, security, and file recovery features. 
  • Dropbox Family if you want to share 2 TB of space, as well as the Dropbox Plus features, with a group.
  • Dropbox Professional if you want 3 TB of space, all the advanced features of Dropbox Plus, as well as additional sharing and productivity features designed for a freelancer or small business.
  • Dropbox Business if you’re part of an organization that needs more space or admin controls. There are several plans to choose from, all with features to help centralize content and collaborate with your team.

No matter what plan you choose, you can upgrade or downgrade at any time, and you won’t lose access to your files. 

Compare plans designed for individuals.

Compare plans designed for business.

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