Get started
In this module you’ll learn what Dropbox is, how to create your account, and how to install Dropbox on all your devices. We’ll also show you how to stay secure with two-factor authentication and strong passwords. Finally, if you use Dropbox for work and for personal files, you’ll also learn how to connect those accounts.
10 minute read
What is Dropbox?
Imagine you open your laptop at work and drop a few project files into Dropbox. Then, on the train home you quickly check a comment left for you on your phone. Later that night, you sit down at your home computer and everything is already there, in the right place, ready to pick up where you left off. That’s the core idea of Dropbox, your files stay in sync across your devices so you can focus on the work, not where it’s saved.
Think of these as common ways you can use Dropbox in your day-to-day work
Store your files, documents and photos online and access them from any device
Add an extra layer of protection to your account by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA)
Easily share files and folders from your cloud storage, simply by copying a link
Transfer large files, like videos, by sending a link for recipients to download
Collaborate with your team on shared files at the same time
Edit, annotate and sign PDFs directly within your cloud storage
Store and work with files from your favorite tools with Dropbox app integrations
Upload once. Access anywhere.
When you store a file in your Dropbox account, it’s uploaded to our secure servers. After the upload finishes, you can open that file from anywhere—on any computer, smartphone, tablet, or other compatible device. When you make a change, Dropbox updates it everywhere, so you’re always looking at the latest version. No extra steps. No manual saving. Just one file, always up to date.
People call this online storage space “the cloud”, but what’s the cloud? The cloud isn’t a box you can touch. It’s secure storage on the internet that lets you open your things from any device, at any time.
Store and access files from anywhere
You can use Dropbox in the way that works best for you: on the web, on your computer, or on your phone. Everything stays in sync, so you can move between devices without losing your place.
When you share a file with others, Dropbox helps the work move forward. You can send a link instead of an attachment, see updates as they happen, and use version history to review older drafts or restore something you deleted by mistake, so you do not have to worry about losing changes.
Access doesn’t stop when you leave your desk. Open big files from the web without worrying about size limits, preview common formats in your browser, and mark important items available offline on desktop and mobile so you can keep working without internet. As soon as you’re back online, Dropbox updates your changes for you.
Keep your files secure
Safety is part of how Dropbox works. Files are stored on our secure servers with industry-leading encryption and backup, which protects you if a computer breaks or a phone is lost. You can add extra protection with features like two-factor authentication, and you can review the devices and apps connected to your account whenever you want.
Share and work together
Working with others is simple. Share a link so people can view or download without creating an account, or add people to a folder when you want to work together. Comments and activity stay with the file, so you don’t have to search through long email threads to find feedback.
Whether you’re using a personal account or a team account, Dropbox gives you a clear, steady way to keep your stuff safe, up to date, and easy to share.
How to create a Dropbox account
Creating your Dropbox account takes just a few seconds and unlocks secure cloud storage you can reach from any device. You can sign up on the web or start from the Dropbox desktop or mobile app. Once you’re set up, your files stay in one place online, ready when you need them.
Sign up on dropbox.com
Go to dropbox.com and select Sign up.
Enter your email. This will be the email you use for your Dropbox account.
Enter your first name, last name, and a unique password.
Select the box to agree to the Dropbox terms.
Choose a paid plan, or select Continue with 2 GB Dropbox Basic Plan
Choose your user preferences to finish setup.
Prefer the app?
If you already installed the Dropbox desktop or mobile app, open it and select Sign up to create your account there.
After you create your account, you can log in with your email and password, Continue with Google, or Continue with Apple.
How to log in to your Dropbox account
To log in to your Dropbox account, enter your email and password on the Log in page, or select Continue with Google or Continue with Apple.
Choose how you want to log in, then select a method below to see the steps.
You can also log in to Dropbox using your Google account or Apple ID. We’ll go into this in more detail below but for now here are some handy links to help you get started.
Trouble accessing your account?
If you can’t log in, start with our help center guide on account access issues. It walks you through common fixes, like resetting your password or updating your email. If you still need help, contact Dropbox Support.
If you can’t access your account, you can reset your password, or, if you know your password but no longer have access to your email, log in and update your email address.
Security tips
2FA
Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is a recommended security feature that helps protect your Dropbox account. When you turn it on, you add an extra layer of protection that helps keep your files and personal information safe from unauthorized access.
When it’s enabled, you may be asked for a code or key when you log in or when you link a new phone or computer.
To use two-factor authentication, you need a mobile device that can run a compatible authenticator app, or can receive text messages.
How to turn on two-factor authentication
Log in to dropbox.com.
Select your avatar (profile picture or initials).
Depending on your plan, your avatar may appear in the top-right or bottom-left corner.
Select Settings.
Select the Security tab.
Toggle two-factor authentication to On.
Re-enter your password and click Submit.
Choose if you want to receive your security code by text message or via an authenticator app, and follow the instructions for your choice below.
Authenticator app
If you choose to receive your security codes through an authenticator app, you’ll first need to download one. The authenticator app you choose will generate a unique time-sensitive security code. Most authenticator apps can generate security codes even when cellular/data service isn't available, which can be useful when traveling or where coverage is unreliable. Any app that supports the Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) protocol should work, including:
Google Authenticator (Android/iPhone)
Duo Mobile (Android/iPhone)
Authenticator (Android/iPhone)
If you use an authenticator app to receive your verification codes, we recommend you add primary and secondary backup phone numbers.
To receive your code via authenticator app:
Select Use an authenticator app during two-factor authentication setup.
You can either:
Scan the QR code (if your app supports it): Open your app of choice and choose to add a new account. You may then be able to use your phone's camera to scan the QR code on dropbox.com.
Manually enter your secret key: You'll be given a secret key on dropbox.com that you can type into the app. Use the steps in your app to add a new account using a secret key.
Click Next.
Enter the code generated by your app.
Click Next.
Text Message
If you can’t use an authenticator app, you can receive codes by text message instead (carrier rates may apply). A text message containing a security code will be sent to your phone each time you log in to Dropbox.
To receive your code via text message:
Select Use text messages during two-factor authentication setup.
Enter the phone number where you'd like to receive text messages.
Click Next.
Enter the code you receive by text.
Click Next.
Note: Text message two-factor authentication is only available in select countries. See the full list of unavailable countries.
Sign in securely with passkeys and two-factor authentication
Passkeys let you log in to Dropbox without a password, using something you already use to unlock your device, such as your face, fingerprint, or a device PIN. Instead of typing a password and worrying about it being guessed, stolen, or reused elsewhere, your device proves to Dropbox that it is really you. The passkey itself is stored on your device, not on Dropbox servers, which helps protect it from common attacks and keeps sign in both faster and more secure.
Choosing to log in with a passkey bypasses any existing two-factor authentication steps you’ve set up for your account, including team accounts where the admin has set two-factor authentication as a requirement.
If you already use two-factor authentication, you don’t have to use your passkey every time you log in. You can still choose to verify with your existing two-factor authentication method, such as SMS or an authenticator app. This can be helpful if you don’t have access to your passkey.
Strong passwords
A single leaked password can be enough to access years of work, photos, or personal files - especially when automated tools can test thousands of passwords in seconds.
To keep your Dropbox account secure, choose a password that is both unique to Dropbox and strong. Reusing passwords across different sites can make your account vulnerable.
Note: Tools like 1Password can help you create and manage strong passwords across your accounts.
A strong password is one that is easy for you to remember but hard for a stranger to guess. You can do this by linking together uncommon words and creating a password that prioritizes length over complexity. The following are also helpful:
Non-standard uppercasing (for example, “uPPercasing”)
Non-standard word spelling (for example, “spellllllling”)
Using personal slang words
Non-obvious numbers and symbols (note: using “$” for “s” or “0” for “o” is fairly common and likely not enough of a security measure).
Use longer passwords (at least 8 characters in length).
Another way to help keep your passwords secure is by keeping them fresh. It’s a good idea to change them regularly, or any time you're concerned about the security of your account, and never repeat previously used passwords.
Sign in with your Google account or Apple ID
Using your existing Apple ID or Google account to sign in to Dropbox makes logging in faster, reduces the number of passwords you need to remember, and lets you reuse the security on those accounts, such as two-factor authentication. On the log in page, select Continue with Apple or Continue with Google, then follow the prompts. Make sure the email on your Apple or Google account matches the email on your Dropbox account so everything connects correctly across dropbox.com, the desktop app, and the mobile app.
Learn more:
How to log in to your Dropbox account using Google Sign-in
How to log in to your Dropbox account using Sign in with Apple.
How to download the Dropbox desktop and mobile apps
Install the Dropbox desktop and mobile apps so you can work with your files right from your computer and phone.
On your computer, Dropbox works like a regular folder. Any changes you make sync in the background, so your files are ready on your other devices.
On your phone or tablet, the app keeps your files a tap away. You can also review, share, add photos, and access important files offline.
Later in this course, you’ll focus on how to use the desktop and mobile apps in more detail. For now, you can download and install the apps using the instructions below so you are ready to follow along.
How to download the Dropbox desktop app
1. Go to dropbox.com/downloading.
2. Open the installer and follow the prompts.
3. Log in with your email and password, or select Continue with Google or Continue with Apple.
4. Look for the Dropbox folder on your computer and the Dropbox icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
5. Add files to your Dropbox folder to sync them to your account and other devices.
How to download the Dropbox Mobile app (Android and iOS)
1. Scan the QR code below with your phone’s camera, or go to dropbox.com/go.
2. Select App Store or Google Play, then install Dropbox.
3. Open the app and log in.
4. To keep key files handy, open a file’s menu and select Make available offline.
In this module, you’ve created your account, signed in securely, and seen how Dropbox fits across web, desktop, and mobile. In the next module, you’ll take a closer look at the Dropbox desktop app and how syncing works on your computer.