Dropbox version history overview
This feature is available to all Dropbox users on dropbox.com.
With Dropbox version history you can view and restore previous versions of files and folders in your Dropbox account. How far back you can view and restore is called version history and depends on the Dropbox plan you have.
- Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Family customers have 30 days.
- Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Business, and Standard customers have 180 days.
- Dropbox Business Plus, Advanced, and Enterprise customers have 365 days.
However, there are also add-ons that extend your version history.
Notes:
- You can’t view or restore previous versions of files and folders that have been permanently deleted.
- Version history doesn’t apply to web-based files, like Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, Paper docs, or Microsoft Office Online files. Learn how to view and restore previous versions of a Paper doc.
- Admins viewing a file’s history through the Content tab of the Admin Console will need permission to view the target file. Attempting to view the file history without this permission will cause an error.
View version history of a file
To view the version history of a file:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Hover over the file or folder you’d like to view the version history of.
- Click “…” (ellipsis).
- Hover over Activity.
- Click Version history.
View version history of a folder
To view the version history of a folder and its subfolders:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Open the folder you’d like to view the history of.
- Click “…” (ellipsis).
- Click Folder activity.
You'll see a list of any changes made to that folder, from newest to oldest.
To view the version history of all the folders in your Dropbox account:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Next to All files, click the gear icon.
- Click Folder activity.
You'll see a list of any changes made to files and folders in your Dropbox account, from newest to oldest.
FAQs about version history
What happens if I upgrade to a plan with longer version history?
If you upgrade to a plan with longer version history or purchase extended version history, your new version history starts the day you upgrade and doesn't apply retroactively.
For example, if you upgrade from Dropbox Basic, which has a 30-day version history window, to Dropbox Professional, which has a 180-day version history window, you'll be able to view and restore previous versions of files and folders within the next 180 days, but you won't be able to view and restore previous versions of files and folders from 180 days ago.
Additionally, you’ll be able to view and restore previous versions of files and folders from 180 days ago, only 150 days after you have upgraded to the Professional plan (30 days of version history from the Basic plan, and 150 days to reach the extended version history of the new plan).
Does version history use my storage space?
No, version history doesn't take up any of your available storage space.
