How to set up Dropbox Backup

Before setting up a backup, make sure to:

• Close all open files and applications on your computer.
• Install the Dropbox desktop app, if you haven’t already.
  • If you’ve paused syncing, resume it.
• Connect to the internet.
• While Dropbox Backup Beta can back up files and folders that are also backed up with other providers, like iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive, we recommend that you disable those backups before using Dropbox Backup to prevent conflicts between backups. 
  • Note: 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, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

To set up a backup:

1. Click the Dropbox icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click your avatar or initials in the upper right.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the Backups tab.
5. Click Set up.
   Note: If you’re using Dropbox Backup Beta, 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 as normal 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 check on those files:

1. Click the Dropbox icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click your avatar or initials in the upper right.
3. Click View sync issues.

Learn more about troubleshooting sync issues.