Cancel Dropbox through your account settings on any device

Log into your Dropbox account on the web or through the mobile app, go to your account settings, and find the subscription or billing section. Select the option to downgrade or cancel your plan. Dropbox will show you what happens next — usually that your account reverts to the free tier at the end of your current billing cycle, and you'll lose access to any storage beyond the free limit.

The process takes about two minutes. You won't need to contact Dropbox support unless something goes wrong, and you can cancel at any point in your billing cycle. Your data stays in your account until the end of your paid period, so you have time to download or move files if you're switching to another service.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel through your Dropbox account settings, not through email or phone support.
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, not immediately.
  • Your account downgrades to Dropbox's free plan (2 GB of storage) when your subscription ends.
  • Files beyond the free storage limit become inaccessible but are not deleted until 180 days after your account downgrades.
  • You can cancel on the web, iPhone app, or Android app using the same steps.

Where to find the cancel option in Dropbox settings

On the web: Click your profile picture or avatar in the top right corner, select "Settings," then go to the "Billing" or "Subscription" tab. Look for a button labeled "Downgrade" or "Cancel plan." Click it and confirm your choice.

On iPhone or Android: Open the Dropbox app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, select "Settings," then "Subscription" or "Billing." Tap the option to cancel or downgrade, then confirm.

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store instead of directly through Dropbox, you'll need to cancel through that platform instead. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Dropbox and tap "Cancel Subscription." On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions" > "Subscriptions," find Dropbox, and tap "Cancel subscription."

What happens to your files and storage after cancellation

When your paid subscription ends, your account automatically converts to Dropbox's free plan, which includes 2 GB of storage. If you're using more than 2 GB, your extra files become read-only — you can view and download them, but you can't upload new files or edit existing ones until you're back under the limit.

Dropbox keeps your files for 180 days after your account downgrades. During this time, you can delete files to get under 2 GB and regain full access, or you can re-subscribe to restore your paid plan. After 180 days, files beyond the 2 GB limit are permanently deleted.

How to download your files before canceling

If you're canceling because you're switching to another cloud storage service, download your files first. In Dropbox on the web, select the files or folders you want to keep, click the download button, and your browser will download them as a .zip file. For large amounts of data, this can take a while.

Alternatively, use Dropbox's "Export" feature if you're moving to Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or another service. Some services offer migration tools that can transfer files directly without downloading them to your computer first. Check whether your new service has this option before you cancel.

Refunds and what you're charged after cancellation

Dropbox does not issue refunds for unused time in your billing cycle. If you cancel on the 15th of a month but your billing date is the 30th, you keep your paid plan until the 30th and are not charged again. If you cancel after your billing date has passed, you've already paid for the next cycle and won't be charged again until that cycle would have renewed — but Dropbox won't refund the payment you already made.

Check your billing date before you cancel so you know when your last charge will be. You can find this in your Billing settings under "Plan details" or "Subscription information."

Reactivating your Dropbox subscription later

If you downgrade to the free plan and later want to re-subscribe, log back into your Dropbox account and go to Settings > Billing. Select the plan you want and enter your payment information. Your account will immediately upgrade, and you'll regain access to all your files. You won't lose anything by downgrading first.

If you're re-subscribing within 180 days of downgrading, all your files will still be there. If more than 180 days have passed, files beyond 2 GB will have been deleted, but your account itself can still be reactivated.

Troubleshooting if you can't find the cancel button

If you don't see a downgrade or cancel option in your Billing settings, you may have a free account (which has no subscription to cancel) or your account may be managed by your workplace. If your employer or school provided your Dropbox account, contact your IT department or administrator — they control whether you can cancel.

If you subscribed through a third-party app or website that offered Dropbox as part of a bundle, you may need to cancel through that service instead of through Dropbox itself. Check your email receipt to see where you made the purchase, then cancel through that platform's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Dropbox and keep my files?

Yes. Your files stay in your account when you downgrade to the free plan. You'll have 2 GB of storage and 180 days to download or move any files that exceed that limit before they're deleted. You can also re-subscribe at any time to restore full access.

Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?

No. Dropbox does not refund unused time. Your subscription remains active until your next billing date, and you won't be charged again after that date. Check your billing date in Settings before you cancel so you know when your last charge will be.

What if I subscribed through my phone's app store?

You must cancel through the app store where you subscribed, not through Dropbox itself. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and find Dropbox. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile, select Subscriptions, find Dropbox, and tap Cancel.

How long do I have to download my files after canceling?

You have 180 days after your account downgrades to the free plan. During this time, files beyond 2 GB are read-only but still accessible. After 180 days, they're permanently deleted. You can download them at any point during this window.

Can I cancel and then reactivate my subscription later?

Yes. Downgrade to the free plan whenever you want, and re-subscribe by going to Settings > Billing and selecting a paid plan. If you re-subscribe within 180 days, all your files will be there. After 180 days, files beyond 2 GB will have been deleted.