Creating an account: why Dropbox might say an email address is already in use

If you're seeing a message that says you already have an account, there can be a few possible explanations. To resolve the issue, find the section below that's most relevant for you and follow the instructions.

I'm trying to create a new account

If you're seeing this message when trying to create a new account, it means you've already created a Dropbox account with that email address. In this case, you can simply sign in to that account.

In the desktop application, select I already have a Dropbox account. On dropbox.com, choose Sign in.

If you don't remember the password, you can reset it.

I'm trying to update the email address for my existing account

If you're seeing this message when trying to update the email address on your account, it means you have another Dropbox account that's currently using this email address. To make this address available again:

1. Sign out of your first account.
2. Sign in to the second account (if you don't remember the password, you can reset it).
3. Change the second account's email address to another one that you own.
4. Go back to the first account and update it with the desired email address.

Alternatively, if you're sure you don't need the second account, you can delete it to free up the email address.

I don't think I created an account with that email address

If you don't think you created an account with that email address, please first sign in to the account to be sure. It's common for Dropbox users to have multiple accounts, and to have forgotten they created one with a specific email address.

You can reset the password if you need to.

If you sign in, but the account information, files, or folders don't look familiar, it's possible that someone mistakenly created a Dropbox account with your email address. People can make a typo and enter the wrong address.

If you're sure this has happened, please contact us.