Set a four-digit passcode on a phone or tablet

Updated Dec 12, 2024

The information in this article applies to all Dropbox users.

Select your device to see instructions for how to set a passcode:

To set a passcode on the Dropbox Android app:

Open the Dropbox app and tap the menu button.
Tap the gear icon (or Settings in older versions of the app).
Under the Advanced features section, tap Configure Passcode.
Tap Turn passcode on.
Enter and confirm your new passcode.

Notes:

Now each time you launch or return to the Dropbox app, you'll be required to enter your passcode.
Your device will be logged out from Dropbox if there are 10 consecutive failed passcode attempts.
You can change your passcode from the Configure Passcode settings.
You can also enable a setting that will delete any offline files stored on your device if the wrong passcode is entered more than ten times.

To set a passcode on the Dropbox iPad app:

Open the Dropbox app.
Tap Account.
Tap the gear icon at the top of the screen.
Tap Passcode Lock.
Tap Turn Passcode On.
Enter and confirm your new passcode.

Notes:

Now each time you launch or return to the Dropbox app, you'll be required to enter your passcode.
Your device will be logged out from Dropbox if there are 10 consecutive failed passcode attempts.
You can change your passcode from the Passcode Lock settings.

To set a passcode on the Dropbox iPhone app:

Open the Dropbox app.
Tap Account.
Tap the gear icon at the top of the screen.
Tap Passcode Lock.
Tap Turn Passcode On.
Enter and confirm your new passcode.

Notes:

Now each time you launch or return to the Dropbox app, you'll be required to enter your passcode.
Your device will be logged out from Dropbox if there are 10 consecutive failed passcode attempts.
You can change your passcode from the Passcode Lock settings.

To set a passcode on the Dropbox Windows Phone app:

From your root Dropbox on the Files, Photos, or Favorites tab, tap the Ellipsis (⋯) button from the app bar and select Settings.
Tap on Security.
Toggle Passcode Lock on.
Enter and confirm your new passcode.

Notes:

Now each time you launch or return to the Dropbox app, you'll be required to enter your passcode.
Your device will be logged out from Dropbox if there are 10 consecutive failed passcode attempts.
You can change your passcode from the Security settings.

To set a passcode on the Dropbox Windows tablet app:

Swipe in from the right edge of your screen to bring up the Charms bar, and tap on Settings.
Select Security.
Toggle Passcode Lock on.
Enter and confirm your new passcode.

Notes:

Now each time you launch or return to the Dropbox app, you'll be required to enter your passcode.
Your device will be logged out from Dropbox if there are 10 consecutive failed passcode attempts.
You can change your passcode from the Security settings.

What if I forgot my passcode?

You can reset your passcode by uninstalling and reinstalling the Dropbox app on your phone. Note that uninstalling the app will remove any files you've marked to be available for offline access.

If you have trouble with the steps above, you can also log out of your device remotely on dropbox.com.

The next time you open the Dropbox app on your device you will be prompted to log in, but a passcode won't be required.

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