How to Merge Two Dropbox Accounts

Merging two Dropbox accounts lets you consolidate files, photos, and documents from separate accounts into one place, eliminating the hassle of switching between logins. This guide walks you through the process, which involves moving files manually (as Dropbox doesn’t offer a direct merge feature) and then closing the secondary account. You’ll need access to both accounts and enough storage space in the primary account to accommodate all the files.

What You’ll Need

• Login credentials for both Dropbox accounts (email and password).
• Access to the email addresses associated with both accounts (for verification if needed).
• Sufficient storage space in the primary account to hold all files from the secondary account. Check your storage quota in Dropbox settings.
• A computer with a web browser (or the Dropbox desktop app) and a stable internet connection.

Step-by-Step

1. Decide which account will be your primary. Choose the account you want to keep as your main Dropbox. This should be the one with the most storage, the paid plan you prefer, or the one with the most important files. All files from the secondary account will be moved into this one.
2. Back up both accounts (optional but recommended). Before moving anything, download a copy of all files from both accounts to your computer as a safety net. You can do this by visiting dropbox.com, selecting all files, and choosing “Download.” This ensures you don’t lose data if something goes wrong during the move.
3. Log into the secondary account. Go to dropbox.com and sign in with the account you want to move files out of (the secondary account).
4. Create a folder in the primary account to receive the files. In a new browser tab, log into your primary Dropbox account. Create a new folder (e.g., “From Old Account”) to keep the incoming files organized. This step is optional but helps avoid clutter.
5. Move files from the secondary account to your computer. In the secondary account, select all files and folders (or the ones you want to move) and download them to your computer. This creates a local copy. If you have a large amount of data, use the Dropbox desktop app to sync the entire secondary account to a local folder—this can be faster and more reliable than a browser download.
6. Upload the files to the primary account. In the primary account’s browser tab, click “Upload” and select the files you downloaded (or drag and drop them into the browser window). If you used the desktop app, you can simply copy the local files from the secondary account’s folder into the primary account’s Dropbox folder on your computer, and they will sync automatically.
7. Verify that all files transferred correctly. After the upload/sync completes, check that the file count and total size in the primary account match what was in the secondary account. Spot-check a few folders to ensure everything is intact.
8. Share or transfer any shared folders. If you have shared folders in the secondary account, you’ll need to re-share them from the primary account. You can do this by creating a new shared link or adding the same collaborators to the folder in the primary account. Note that shared folder permissions don’t automatically transfer.
9. Handle account-specific settings and integrations. Any third-party apps connected to the secondary account (like Slack, Zapier, or Microsoft Office) will need to be reconnected to the primary account. Also, check for any Dropbox Paper documents, forms, or signatures that may need to be exported and re-imported, as these don’t always move with a simple file transfer.
10. Close the secondary account. Once you’re certain all files are safely in the primary account, go to the secondary account’s settings (dropbox.com/account/security) and select “Delete account.” Follow the prompts to confirm. This permanently deletes the secondary account and its contents from Dropbox’s servers. Make sure you have everything—there’s no undo.

Common Mistakes

• Not checking storage space: Moving files to an account that doesn’t have enough space will fail. Check your primary account’s storage before you start.
• Forgetting about shared links: Public links to files in the secondary account will break once the account is deleted. If you rely on those links, recreate them in the primary account and update any references.
• Ignoring file conflicts: If you have files with the same name in both accounts, Dropbox will keep both versions but rename one (e.g., “file (1).txt”). This can cause confusion. Review and merge duplicate folders manually before deleting the secondary account.
• Deleting the secondary account too soon: If you delete the secondary account before verifying the transfer, you risk losing files that didn’t sync properly. Always wait until you’ve confirmed everything is in the primary account.

Tips

• Use the desktop app for large transfers: For accounts with more than a few gigabytes, the desktop app is faster and more reliable than a browser download/upload. It also allows you to pause and resume.
• Organize as you go: Instead of dumping everything into one folder, create a folder structure in the primary account that mirrors your secondary account’s structure. This makes it easier to find things later.
• Consider a temporary third location: If your primary account is low on space, you could move files to an external hard drive or a free cloud service temporarily, then upload to the primary account after freeing up space.
• Update your email and notification preferences: After merging, make sure your primary account’s email is one you check regularly, and adjust notification settings to avoid missing important updates.

Troubleshooting

• Transfer fails or times out: If you’re using the browser and the upload fails, try breaking the transfer into smaller batches. Also, clear your browser cache or try a different browser. For the desktop app, ensure you have the latest version installed.
• Not enough storage in the primary account: If you hit the storage limit, you have two options: upgrade your primary account’s plan, or delete unnecessary files from the primary account to free up space. You can also use selective sync in the desktop app to exclude some folders temporarily.
• Files appear corrupted after transfer: This is rare, but if a file won’t open, try re-uploading it. If it persists, you may have a corrupted file in the original account—try downloading it again from the secondary account before deleting it.
• Shared folders don’t show up in the primary account: Shared folders are tied to the account that created them. You’ll need to re-share them from the primary account. If you were the owner, you can transfer ownership to the primary account before deleting the secondary account (if you have the same email on both, you can change the primary email on the secondary account to a different one, then transfer ownership).
• Can’t delete the secondary account: If you get an error when trying to delete the account, you may have outstanding payments or active shared folder ownership. Resolve those first. Contact Dropbox support if the issue persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge two Dropbox accounts without downloading and re-uploading?

No, Dropbox does not offer a native merge feature. The only way is to manually move files, either by downloading and uploading or using the desktop app to sync files between two local folders.

What happens to my Dropbox Paper documents when I merge accounts?

Paper documents are stored in your Dropbox account but are separate from regular files. You can export them as .docx or .md files, then import them into the primary account. Alternatively, you can share the Paper doc with the primary account and then make a copy.

Will my shared links break after I delete the secondary account?

Yes, any shared links to files in the secondary account will become invalid once the account is deleted. Recreate those links in the primary account and update any places where they are used.

Can I keep both accounts but just move some files?

Yes, you can move only specific files or folders. The process is the same—download from one account and upload to the other—but you don’t have to delete the secondary account if you still want to use it.

What if I have the same email address on both accounts?

You cannot have the same email on two Dropbox accounts. If you have two accounts with the same email, you likely used a different email for one of them. If you want to merge, you’ll need to change the email on one account to a different address before proceeding.

How long does the transfer take?

It depends on the amount of data and your internet speed. A few gigabytes can take minutes, while hundreds of gigabytes may take hours or days. The desktop app is generally faster than a browser.

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