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.

Notes:

• If you’re on the legacy version of Dropbox Backup, you must disable your other backups before using Dropbox Backup. Learn how to disable iCloud desktop and documents sync, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
• If you’re using MacOS 14 or higher, you’ll need to disable iCloud Desktop and Documents sync before you can use the updated version of Dropbox Backup.

To set up a backup:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows), or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click the round account menu. Depending on your account, this may appear as your profile photo, your initials, or a person icon. 
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the Backups tab.
5. Click Manage backups.      
   • Note: If you’re using the updated Dropbox Backup, you can click Modify folder selection to add any other folder from your device that isn’t listed.

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 the round account menu. Depending on your account, this may appear as your profile photo, your initials, or a person icon.
3. Click View sync issues.

Learn more about troubleshooting sync issues.

Can't find Preferences on the Dropbox desktop app?

When you open the Dropbox desktop app, click the round account menu to access Preferences. Depending on your account, this may appear as your profile photo, your initials, or a person icon.