How to Unlink Dropbox (2026)
Unlinking disconnects a device from your Dropbox account so it stops syncing — without deleting your online files. You can do it from the device itself or remotely from the web. Here’s both.
1. Unlink From the Desktop App
- Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Click your avatar/initials > Preferences.
- Open the Account tab.
- Click Unlink This Dropbox and confirm.
Syncing stops. The files already in your local Dropbox folder stay on the computer — they’re just no longer connected to the cloud.
2. Unlink a Device Remotely (Web)
Useful for a lost or old computer:
- Sign in at dropbox.com.
- Click your avatar > Settings.
- Open the Security tab.
- Under Devices, find the device and click the X to unlink it.
Next time that device connects, it’ll be signed out.
3. What Happens to Your Files
- Online files: untouched — still in your account.
- Local files: remain in the folder on the unlinked computer (you can delete them manually if it’s a device you no longer control).
- Re-linking: sign back in via the app to reconnect and re-sync.
4. Troubleshooting
I can’t reach the app to unlink (lost device)
Use the remote method: dropbox.com > Settings > Security > Devices > X. You don’t need the device in hand.
Unlinking didn’t remove local files
That’s expected — unlinking never deletes local copies. If the computer is out of your control, also change your password and delete the folder remotely isn’t possible, so prioritize the password reset.
It re-linked itself
Someone signed back in on that device. Change your Dropbox password and review active sessions under Security.
Related Dropbox guides: How to add Dropbox to File Explorer · How to free up space · How to delete files · How to recover deleted files. To keep files flowing into Dropbox automatically, see Carly’s Dropbox integration.
Ready to automate your busywork?
Carly schedules, researches, and briefs you—so you can focus on what matters.
See what people say
"Before Carly, I relied on a Calendly link, but the whole process felt impersonal and not very professional. Carly changed that by handling all the back-and-forth, so I'm no longer stuck in endless email threads trying to line up schedules.
Now Carly reaches out to candidates, shares my real-time availability, lets them pick a slot, then sends a Zoom link and drops it straight into my calendar. She sends reminders to both of us before each call, which has significantly reduced no-shows and last-minute confusion.
On top of scheduling, Carly acts like a full executive assistant, sending me my schedule the night before so I can prepare for each call. It reminds me of the old x.ai assistant, but Carly is noticeably smarter, faster, and better suited to my healthcare recruitment business."
