How to set up Dropbox Backup

Dropbox Backup allows you to automatically back up files and folders from your computer and external drives to Dropbox, ensuring they’re safely stored in the cloud and easily accessible from anywhere.

Before setting up a backup, make sure to:

• Check your available storage and that you’re within your plan’s limits. Learn how to check which plan you're on.
• Close all open files and applications on your computer.
• Install the Dropbox desktop app, if you haven’t already.
• Resume syncing if you’ve paused it. Learn how to resume syncing.
• Connect to the internet.
• While the updated Dropbox Backup can back up files and folders that are also backed up with other providers, like iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive, we recommend you disable those backups before using Dropbox Backup to prevent conflicts between backups.

To set up a backup:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows), or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the Backups tab.
5. Click Manage backups.

6. Under Add a backup, select the computer or external hard drive you’d like to back up.
7. Click Let’s get started (computer) or Back up [drive name] (external hard drive).
8. Check the boxes next to the folders you’d like to back up.
9. Click Set up or Back up.
10. If you’re on a Mac, click OK when prompted to give Dropbox permission to access your folders.

You can use your computer normally while the back up is in progress. 

 

If any files or folders fail to back up, they’ll appear in your sync error queue. To view those files:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
3. Click View sync issues.

Learn more about troubleshooting sync issues.