Cancel Dropbox through your account settings

To cancel your Dropbox subscription, log into your account on Dropbox.com, go to your account settings, and select the billing or plans section. From there, you will see a button or link to downgrade or cancel your plan. Dropbox will show you what happens next: your paid storage converts to the free tier (2 GB), and you keep access to files that fit in that space. Files beyond 2 GB remain in your account but become inaccessible until you either pay again or delete them.

The cancellation takes effect when ready. You will not be charged again at your next billing date. If you paid for a full year upfront, Dropbox does not refund the unused portion — the subscription straightforward stops renewing when that year ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancellation happens in your account settings under billing or plans, and takes effect right away.
  • Your account converts to the free 2 GB tier, and files over that limit become inaccessible but are not deleted.
  • Annual subscriptions paid upfront do not receive refunds for unused time.
  • You can reactivate a paid plan at any time by going back to the plans section and choosing a new subscription level.
  • If you cancel through a third-party app store (Apple, Google Play, Amazon), you must cancel through that store instead of Dropbox directly.

What happens to your files after cancellation

When you downgrade to the free tier, Dropbox does not delete your files. Instead, files beyond the 2 GB limit stay in your account but you cannot sync them to your devices or access them through the web. You can still see them listed in your account, and you can delete them manually to free up space.

If you want to keep those files, you have options before you cancel: read them to your computer, move them to another cloud service, or keep your subscription active. Dropbox gives you no grace period after cancellation, so decide what to do with large files before you complete the cancellation process.

Cancelling a subscription purchased through an app store

If you subscribed to Dropbox through Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore, you must cancel through that store, not through Dropbox.com. Cancelling on Dropbox's website will not stop the charges from your app store.

On Apple devices, go to Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find Dropbox, and tap Cancel Subscription. On Android, open Google Play, go to your account, select Subscriptions, find Dropbox, and tap Cancel Subscription. On Amazon devices, open the Amazon Appstore app, tap your profile icon, go to Subscriptions, find Dropbox, and select Cancel Subscription. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.

Reactivating your subscription later

You can restart a paid Dropbox plan at any time by logging into your account, going to the plans section, and choosing a subscription level. When you reactivate, you regain access to all your files when ready, even those that were inaccessible during the free tier period. You will be charged according to the plan you choose — monthly or annual, depending on what you select.

If you cancelled an annual plan and want to restart it, you can choose either a monthly or annual plan when you reactivate. There is no penalty for cancelling and restarting.

Downgrading instead of cancelling

Dropbox offers different paid tiers: Plus (2 TB), Family (2 TB per person, up to six people), and Professional (3 TB). If you want to keep a paid subscription but pay less, you can downgrade to a lower tier instead of cancelling entirely. Downgrading keeps your account active and your files accessible, but reduces your storage limit.

To downgrade, go to your account settings, select your plan, and choose a lower tier. Dropbox will prorate any charges — if you paid for a full year and downgrade partway through, you will receive a credit toward the lower-tier price for the remaining time.

What to do if you cannot find the cancel button

If you are logged into Dropbox.com but do not see a cancel or downgrade option, check that you are in the right section. Look for "Plans" or "Billing" in your account menu — the exact label varies depending on your account type and region. Some older accounts or business accounts have different settings layouts.

If you subscribed through a mobile app and the cancel option does not appear in Dropbox's app settings, that is normal — you must cancel through the app store instead. If you still cannot locate the option after checking both places, Dropbox support can walk you through the steps for your specific account type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-year?

No. Annual subscriptions paid upfront do not refund unused time. Monthly subscriptions also do not refund — you can cancel anytime, but you are charged through the end of the current month. If you downgrade instead of cancelling, Dropbox prorates the difference and credits your account.

Will my files be deleted if I cancel?

No. Files stay in your account. Files under 2 GB remain accessible on the free tier. Files over 2 GB become inaccessible but are not deleted — you can delete them manually or reactivate a paid plan to access them again.

Can I cancel and restart my subscription multiple times?

Yes. You can cancel and reactivate as many times as you want. There is no limit or penalty. When you restart, you regain access to all your files when ready.

What if I subscribed through my phone — do I cancel there or on the website?

Cancel through the app store where you subscribed, not on Dropbox.com. If you subscribed through Apple, cancel in Apple Settings. If you subscribed through Google Play, cancel in the Google Play app. Cancelling on the website will not stop app store charges.

Can I cancel just one device's sync without cancelling my whole subscription?

Yes. You do not need to cancel your subscription to stop syncing on one device. Unlink that device from your account in your Dropbox settings, or uninstall the Dropbox app. Your subscription and other devices remain active.