Dropbox Family plan FAQs
The information in this article applies to customers on Dropbox Family.
Dropbox Family is a plan with 2 TB of shared storage space that can be used by up to 6 members. This article answers frequently asked questions about Dropbox Family.
How can I get Dropbox Family?
If you already have an individual Dropbox account, you can switch to Dropbox Family in your account settings.
To switch to a Family plan:
- Log in to dropbox.com.
- Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
- Click Manage account.
- Click Upgrade Plan. If Dropbox Family appears as an option, you can upgrade from here.
- Click Family plan.
- Click Continue.
If you don’t have a Dropbox account, you can purchase the Family plan directly.
Who can I invite to my Dropbox Family plan?
You can invite up to 6 members in total to your Dropbox Family plan. All Family plan members must be 13 years or older in the United States and 16 or older anywhere else. If they don’t already have a Dropbox account, invited members can create one when they join a Family plan.
What are the different roles in a Family plan?
Dropbox Family accounts have a Family manager and Family members. They can also have admins, if the Family manager chooses.
- Family manager: The person who purchases Dropbox Family is the Family manager. They can update billing, manage Family admins and members, disband the Family, and check storage space.
- Family admins: Admins are able to add or remove members from the Family.
- Family members: Each Family member has their own private Dropbox account, but storage space is shared with all other Family members.
Learn more about managing a Dropbox Family plan.
Can I join a Dropbox Family plan if I already have a Plus or Professional account?
Yes. If you have a Dropbox Plus or Professional account and are invited to join Dropbox Family, there’s no need to change your plan. Your individual account will be refunded for the prorated cost of your original plan and your plan will be changed to Dropbox Family. If you’d rather keep your original plan, ask the person who invited you to send a new invite to a different email address. You can then set up a new account that will be associated with a Family plan.
Are there any limitations on who can join a Family plan?
Yes. You won’t be able to join a Family plan if you’ve purchased extended version history. You also can’t join a Family plan with an email associated with a Dropbox team account, or if you’re in a restricted country or region.
How do I merge my existing Dropbox account with a Family plan?
There’s no need to make any changes to your account, or move any files or folders, when you purchase or join a Dropbox Family plan. Your plan will change to Dropbox Family, but your account profile, settings, and files will remain the same. However, only the Family manager can view or change billing info for the plan, so if you previously had Dropbox Plus or Professional, you may no longer have access to billing information.
Can the other members of my Family plan see the files I save to Dropbox?
Each member of your Dropbox Family plan has their own private account. Only the files you choose to share can be viewed or edited by others.
Note: If you create or move files or folders inside a shared folder or the Family Room folder, they'll automatically be shared with everyone who has access to the folder.
How can I get support from Dropbox?
Family plan members can get help from the Dropbox help center, Quick Start Guides, community, and by email. Family managers can also request chat support.
What happens to my files if I use remote wipe?
If you use remote wipe to remove files from a lost or stolen device, the contents of the Dropbox folder on that device are removed. Your files won’t be deleted from your Dropbox account—they’re safely stored in the cloud, so you can re-sync them to any device when you’re ready.
How does sharing files and folders with other Family plan members count toward my storage space?
Every file or folder in a Family member’s account only counts once toward the total storage space quota. Sharing files and folders with other members of the same Family plan does not count toward the storage quota again. If you share with someone outside your Family plan, or if someone outside the plan shares with you, those files will count toward both your account quota and theirs. You can check your account settings to see how much of the storage quota has been used.
Tip: Maximize storage space by sharing with Family members. If plan members have copies of the same file in their individual accounts, each file counts towards the total storage quota, but a shared file only counts once.
Can I buy more storage space?
We’re working on a Family plan with more shared space, but an upgrade isn’t available yet. Individual Family members can free up space by deleting unused files and folders, or they can opt out of Dropbox Family and choose an individual plan that meets their needs.
Can I earn free space on Dropbox Family?
Yes. You can earn free storage space on Dropbox Basic, Plus, Family, and Professional accounts, and the space will be shared with your other Family members. If you leave a Family plan, your free space will still be available on your individual account.
Can I leave a Family plan?
Family members can opt out of a Family plan at any time. If you leave the plan, your individual account will be downgraded to a free Basic plan. You’ll keep all your files and folders but will lose access to the features and storage space of Dropbox Family.
