How to allow firewall and security permissions for the Dropbox desktop app

The Dropbox desktop app doesn’t require any additional permissions on a standard Windows or Mac operating system with no additional firewall, security applications (such as ESET), or antivirus software.

How to allow Dropbox permissions

If your firewall, security app, or antivirus software is causing issues when you try to access or use the Dropbox desktop app, you may need to update your permissions. The actions you need to take will depend on your operating system or software, but this article covers some steps you can try.

A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls which programs can send or receive data on your network. Sometimes, firewalls or security software can reject an update and prevent you from accessing Dropbox from your computer. It can also block Dropbox from syncing files. You may be unable to log into Dropbox, even if your internet connection is working.

If you’re experiencing problems, you can try the following steps:

Whitelist, ignore, or allow Dropbox in your security software’s settings

When you whitelist an app in your security software’s settings, you add it to the list of approved applications that are permitted to run on your computer or network. Depending on your software, there may be different ways to do this and the terminology may vary.

Open your antivirus or security software, navigate to its settings menu, then look for a section related to exclusions, exceptions, or whitelisting. There should be an option to add the app. Sometimes, you’ll be prompted to do so when you download the Dropbox desktop app.

Open your antivirus or security software, navigate to its settings menu, then look for a section related to exclusions, exceptions, or whitelisting. There should be an option to add the app. Sometimes, you’ll be prompted to do so when you download the Dropbox desktop app.

Learn more about allowing apps in Windows.

Learn more about allowing apps in Mac. 

Update your security application to the latest version

Make sure any security software that's installed on your computer is up to date. You can go into settings and search for “update” to bring up this option.

Adjust firewall settings to allow Dropbox domains

If you're using a computer on a network managed by your workplace, your organization's firewall may restrict access to certain IP addresses or domains. If this includes IP addresses or domains that the Dropbox desktop app needs to access in order to work properly, you’ll need to adjust your firewall settings.

You can allow IP addresses in your firewall settings. Learn more about the IP addresses owned by Dropbox.

In addition to the IP addresses we own, Dropbox also uses IP addresses owned by third-party providers or services. For this reason, we recommend that you allow Dropbox domain names in your firewall settings.

Each domain serves a specific purpose, like running the Dropbox product, providing communications, or hosting marketing materials. If you allow a domain name, you’ll whitelist all the IP addresses needed to run the associated product or service. Learn more about the verified domains that Dropbox uses.

Learn more about changing Firewall settings in Windows. 

Learn more about changing Firewall settings in Mac.

Allow Dropbox access to the necessary ports

If you want to allow third party applications to open files in Dropbox, you’ll need to open the ports that are used by the Dropbox desktop app. When you open a port in your firewall, you allow traffic into or out of your device.

You’ll need to give Dropbox access to ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), and 17600 and 17603. Learn more about opening files in third-party applications.

Allow processes to run in your firewall or security software

A process is the execution of a program or task on a computer system. Sometimes, your firewall or security software will block a particular process if it thinks it’s a threat. When you’re downloading, installing, or updating your Dropbox desktop app, you’ll need to allow the following processes to run: 

• On Windows computers, allow “Dropbox”, “Dropbox.exe”, and “DropboxUpdate.exe”.
• On Mac computers, allow “Dropbox”, “DropboxMacUpdate”, and “Dropbox Web Helper”.

Learn how to download and install the Dropbox desktop app.

Give permissions to the necessary folders

You’ll need to make sure that permission has been given to the “.dropbox.cache”, “dropboxupdate.exe”, and “%TEMP%” folders. Learn how to connect through a proxy network.